Rating: 
Summary: Incomplete Book Omits Key Topic
Review: Any book that claims to fit real people has to address the issue of fitting pants, particularly for women since we are still stuck with designs based on men's pants. While these authors have written a separate book in this series specifically for fitting pants, "Pants for Real People", this current book is sadly mis-titled and needs to clearly state that it does NOT address pants. As 5'10" woman with a long lower torso and a sway back, fitting pants is difficult to say the least. For an all-encompassing book that addresses fitting issue, see Singer Sewing's "Perfect Fit", which has lots of pictures, clear directions for both major and minor alterations, before and after shots, and deals with all subjects. For a book specifically for fitting pants, I recommend Singers "Pants that Fit". I own both and use both regularly.
Rating: 
Summary: great for beginners
Review: As a beginning sewer, I was getting very frustrated because nothing I made was fitting. This book is wonderful. I've looked at some other fitting books but this one makes the most sense to me. It's so easy!
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Summary: How did I ever sew without it?
Review: Excellent info on altering patterns for fit problems! Great tips on every aspect of sewing. Wonderful diagrams! I was so into this book that I read it from cover to cover in one weekend like a novel!
Rating:
Summary: How did I ever sew without it?
Review: Excellent info on altering patterns for fit problems! Great tips on every aspect of sewing. Wonderful diagrams! I was so into this book that I read it from cover to cover in one weekend like a novel!
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Summary: I returned it.
Review: Good tips as far as it went. Nothing about pants which is a major part of my wardrobe.
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Summary: The best Book on Fitting On the Market Today
Review: I have been sewing for over 50 years. The one thing that always bugged me over the years was pattern fitting. I soon found out that I was not a standard fit when the bodices of dresses did not meet across the chest and the front waistlines were up around my ribcage. I had a larger than a b cup bra. It wasn't until recent years that I was told that patterns were only drafted for b cup bras. Over the years, by observing patterns and body shapes, reading books, (not many available years ago) and eventually learning the art of pattern drafting, I learned the art of pattern fitting and alteration. I have always been interested in fitting. Many books have become available in recent years on pattern alteration but I have not found one that addresses problems in the same way that this book does. So many books simplify one problem and do not let you see how the alterations affect other seams. This book goes through the whole process. It is the most comprehensive book on the market today. It starts with body types, how to measure, why you should alter and how to alter the pattern. I do not need a lot of the book's information today. However, it has been a confirmation of all I have thought of throughout the past years. I have purchased the book to add to my collection and I am thoroughly enjoying it. If only it had been available to me over the years, I would not have felt so stupid because patterns did not fit me. I would have had all the information in one place rather than the thinking and reading I had to do.The section on mature and maturing bodies is wonderful and this is one area I will be visiting. Congratulations to the authors for a fantastic book. The book in fun to read. It has lots and lots of pictures of REAL people not drawings. The illustrations of the pattern alterations are excellent. It is many books rolled into one and very good value. Reading it has sparked me off to want to start to sew again after too long an absence.
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Summary: Best fitting instructions that I have found.
Review: I have been teaching sewing for a number of years and have never found a more useful fitting book. The fitting methods are very easy to use in the classroom as well as in the home. This book has helped me solve all of my own fitting difficulties as well as most of my students. I recommend that you first read the entire book before you put any of the methods to the test. Then get a partner, your sense of humor and go to work. You will always be thankful you did.
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Summary: Thank you Pati!
Review: I LOVE this book. I love to sew, but have not sewn fitted clothes for myself because they never fit. I decided to give it one last try, using this book. IT WORKED! It turns out that I have a broad back and slightly larger bust ... and I have been using the wrong size patterns all these years.The pattern alterations were relatively simple (I did them myself without a helper), and now have several beautifully fitted jackets and blouses. I highly recommend this book to the casual, novice, or even expert seamstress.
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Summary: excellent fitting resource
Review: I LOVE this book. I love to sew, but have not sewn fitted clothes for myself because they never fit. I decided to give it one last try, using this book. IT WORKED! It turns out that I have a broad back and slightly larger bust ... and I have been using the wrong size patterns all these years. The pattern alterations were relatively simple (I did them myself without a helper), and now have several beautifully fitted jackets and blouses. I highly recommend this book to the casual, novice, or even expert seamstress.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting, excellent resource. Add to library.
Review: I picked up this book and read it from beginning to end. I found the facts to be very interesting. Particularly of interest to me was the information regarding sizing of patterns and ready to wear. This book also offered many alterations. I would refer to these in addition to alteration methods in other books (Fitting and Pattern Alteration or Fabulous Fit, for example). I would recommend this book for beginner or advanced dressmakers. The photos and step by step alterations were wonderful. Included, also, were people of many sizes, variances, and ages. One of the best examples of why we sew was the fitting example of Martha's jacket. The book showed Martha wearing an altered size 12 pattern. It also showed her wearing jackets in similar styles in various price ranges and from various stores. The altered size 12 was the best fitting and most flattering by far. It outshone even those designer jackets costing hundreds of dollars. This book also showed how two people of the same height and weight would require vastly different alterations because of their weight and height distribution. Some people are short from waist to neck (me). Others are long in this area. Some have short legs but not short torsos. It is important, the book stressed, to know yourself and your body. They showed how to make a body map. I wasted no time at all doing this. I have a fitted sloper and know what alterations I need to do on my own garments (high right hip, wide waist, full bust). These were things (especially the high hip) which I never really saw until I made the map. When we were done with this process, we stood back and looked. The high right hip (and some other things) were actually noticeable. I would highly recommend this book as an addition to any sewer's library. The information is invaluable and timeless and PRACTICAL! I would also recommend READING THIS BOOK!
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