Customer Reviews

Fitting Finesse

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book contains the easiest form of altering that I have found in the 40+ years I have been sewing. It does take time to draw, and redraw the pattern pieces, but when the garment is finished, you can pretty well count on a good fit. The directions are easy to follow, and each is accompanied by well-drawn illustrations. It contains just about every imaginable alteration there is. It's great for beginners or advanced sewers of all ages.

I've been sewing for four years, and most of the clothing I made did not fit properly until I read this highly informative book. My first mistake was buying patterns in my RTW size... BIG mistake. A size 8 pattern is like a size 4 RTW. The scale is completely different, and Zieman clears up the confusion in this book. From taking accurate and objective measurements to altering a pattern piece by piece (math skills necessary), this is the best book available. My clothes have never looked better.

I've always known I'm hard to fit - short, heavy, 40G bust, big belly, large thighs, short arms, big biceps, extremely short rise, etc... After working through my measurements and comparing them with the information in Fitting Finesse and the industry "standard" measurements, I finally understood why I am so hard to fit. The book was worth its price just in finally feeling validated instead of picky when nothing fits right. I guess that's why I sew...

Nancy's book is very easy to understand with lots of great pictures. I now know that I need to make 7 different adjustments to a jacket pattern to make it fit flatteringly. With the help of her book, I have been able to do so despite being somewhere between beginner and intermediate in skill. This is a great reference to have and a wise investment BEFORE cutting up 5 yards of expensive fabric (a lesson learned the hard way!).

Nancy has done it again. Her CLEAR ILLUSTRATIONS and EASY TO FOLLOW LANGUAGE demystify the alteration process. Until the pattern industry agrees to make patterns that fit REAL bodies instead of that mythical 5'8" 100-pound form, Ms. Zieman's book will be invaluable. I've been sewing for about 40 years. Until I read this book, I always wondered why my patterns never quite fit when I followed the measuring guidelines on the pattern envelopes. It wasn't me, it was the pattern's miscalculations! Nancy tells us how to determine the actual pattern size to purchase (and it ain't the one recommended on the envelope!) Then, she meticulously takes us through the steps required to modify the purchased pattern to ourselves. I used this book to resize a princess style bodice to a prospective bride with a double-D bust. I would not have attempted the changes without Zieman's careful and beautifully illustrated advice.

Before I puchased this book I was almost ready to give up sewing. I only made clothes that were bulky and not stylish and still was not very happy. I now have clothes with sleeves that are big enough and sholders that don't fall off. I also like the fact that you do not have to cut up your patterns. I lost my copy somehow so I am getting another. I can't be without it.

I loved this book. It gave the best and easiest directions on how to enlarge patterns and get them to fit, that I ever read. I had been trying for years to get patterns to fit my larger "attributes" and this books tells you concisely how to enlarge or make smaller all the parts that you would need to alter. Very good for the entry level to intermediate sewist

I studied this book thoroughly and then attempted to make a pair of plain pants that FIT. I've been sewing for 40 years. I did not get a pair to fit, and after 6 muslins, bought PANTS FOR EVERY BODY. The problem was, I have specific, difficult fitting issues - flat, low seat, small waist, big thighs - which this book does not cover. So, if all you need to do is add width or length, this book is probably ok. It sounded great in theory - slide, mark, trace - but in reality I could not even come close to a good fit in pants.

This book enabled me to fit my stocky, hard to fit body with a custom designed dress for a wedding I attended. That dress fit like a glove, and the instructions were beyond easy. I highly recommend this for ALL levels of sewing experience!!!

I have read several other books by Nancy Z, and they have all been helpful. This one is an update (in my opinion) of Busy Women's Fitting Guide, and is more clear on several of the subjects. The book is well organized and easy to follow. My figure is almost impossible to fit correctly in ready to wear(small waist, 34DD bust, 40" hips), so now I finally have the tools to make EASY alterations that will work for my body! Whether you are relatively new to sewing, or an expert, if you want clothes that fit better, get this book!

Never could get patterns to fit right until I bought this book and tried Nancy's method of pivot and slide. First item I made was a jacket and it fit perfectly. Her directions are clear and easy to follow. Her pictures complement her instructions very well