Dressmaking for Real Women: How to Adapt Your Store-bought Patterns to Flatter the Curves You Want to Keep and Drape the Ones You Don't

Women who prefer making dresses for themselves, but are curvy and full-bodied, are all too aware of the limitations that are part of working with commercial patterns. This book shows them how to take a standard commercial pattern intended for a larger size, then cut it back and make the kinds of adjustments that will result in a stylish garment with a flattering fit. They will learn to--

Measure their figure accurately and recognize details in the pattern that require correcting

Make accurate adjustments at every strategic point, including shoulders, necklines, busts, sleeves, armholes, waist, and hips

Add their own original features to personalize the pattern, such as collars, cuffs, and decorative details

Select the best fabrics for their garment's drape or structure

Dressmaking for Real Women also provides a refresher course on general sewing techniques. Printed in full-color throughout, the book features more than 400 instructive illustrations.

(back cover)
Using a pattern * Making it fit * Finishing Touches

Creating well-tailored clothes from a pattern is a challenge--but especially for those who want to alter them to fit a curvy or plus-sized shape. This book shows you how to take a standard commercial pattern and make some adjustments to create a fabulous, curve-flattering fit.

Includes detailed sections on:

Measuring your figure, choosing a style that suits you, altering a commercial pattern, and fine-tuning.

Troubleshooting techniques to get a perfect fit at every point, including shoulders, necklines, busts, sleeves, armholes, waist, and hips.

Adding your own unique features to a pattern, such as collars, cuffs, panels, and pleats.

Selecting fabrics for drape or structure, getting the right equipment, and taking a refresher course on the main sewing techniques that are used in the book.

Lorna Knight specialized in textiles at Queen Margaret College in Edinburgh. She spent ten years teaching Design and Technology in the U.K. before setting up a business designing and making lingerie and running workshops. Lorna writes regularly for Sewing World magazine and has contributed to many sewing books and other fashion publications.