How to Prepare a Pattern For Fitting: Part 1

Fitting is difficult. No number of fitting books, classes and guides you’ve purchased with the words Fast, Quick or Easy in the title, is going to change that fact. Fitting is a process that takes time to perfect and a skill that is acquired through study and experience.

I’ve studied fitting for a very long time. It wasn’t until I started using vertical and horizontal balance lines on my garments that I truly began to understand how to make sewing patterns fit me. These markings made it so much easier to understand the origin and nature of fitting issues and eliminated the confusion of trying to “read the wrinkles”. Once I started focusing on the balance of the garment on my body the wrinkles would magically disappear.

When you draft a pattern to your personal measurements, these vertical and horizontal balance lines are the foundation of the pattern, but what do you do if you are using a commercial pattern? Well this month I’m going to share two tutorials that will show you how to prepare a regular commercial pattern for fitting and find the balance lines. This week we’re starting with a shift dress and next week, I’ll share what it might look like on a flared jacket with a raglan sleeve.

I hope the example in this video has helped you understand how you can prepare a regular commercial pattern for fitting and gives you the ability to start using the vertical and horizontal balance lines to assess fit. Be sure to tune in next week to see how it’s done on a flared jacket with a raglan sleeve.

If you want to learn more about balance lines and how to use them for fitting, be sure to get your free copy of The Perfect Fit Guide.

All My Best,
Alexandra