Pants for Real People: Fit and Sew for Any Body (Sewing for Real People series) [Paperback]

Pati Palmer (Author), Marta Alto (Author), Jeannette Schilling (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2007 | Series: Sewing for Real People series

This pattern book features step-by-step instructions on fitting and sewing pants for women of all different body types using the twin techniques of tissue- and fabric-fitting. Important sewing choices are highlighted, including choosing fabrics, selecting appropriate alteration tools, and finding styles that are most flattering. The fit-as-you-sew process of making pants is illustrated with progressive photographs of fitting pants for nine women of different size and shapes. Covered are a variety of styles including non-roll and expandable waistbands; centred, lapped, and invisible zippers; faced and contour waistlines; and cargo, double welt, and simple side seam pockets. This replaces 0935278087.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Pati Palmer has designed more than 100 patterns for McCall Pattern Company and has had patterns featured in Family Circle, Vogue, and Australian Stitches. She is the author of Fit for Real People, Mother Pletsch's Painless Sewing, and Sewing with Sergers. Marta Alto is the coauthor of The Serger Idea Book, Fit for Real People, and Sewing Ultrasuede. They both live in Portland, Oregon.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Palmer/Pletsch Publishing; 4 Rev Exp edition (September 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0935278575
• ISBN-13: 978-0935278576
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 0.2 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #554,413 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

71 of 71 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Great fitting resource! August 24, 2006

By Julia

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

After looking at lots of reviews on the sewing boards I frequent, I chose this book to help me in the quest of making pants that fit. It is SO HELPFUL. It is just chock full of explanations of how & why pants fit, tips for specific body issues, great construction methods, etc. I gave 4 stars instead of 5 because they tend to focus on fitting issues faced mostly by mature figures, and I have a hard-to-fit 20-something figure (i.e. high full butt, not low flat butt). However, I still find this book very useful and it has helped me tremendously in making my own pants.

70 of 70 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars DesignsbySharon July 11, 2007

By Designs by Sharon

Format:Paperback

This is one of the most helpful books I have in my sewing library. At first I didn't want to spend the money to buy it, so I checked it out in my local public library to review it in depth. I read the entire book twice because it was so interesting. And then I decided to give it a go...to try making a pair of pants for me. The end result was that the pants I made using the techniques taught in this book are now the most comfortable, flattering pants in my closet. After the review, I decided to buy the book because I found myself referring back to passages I had read for guidance. And after I returned the borrowed one to my public library, I missed it terribly because I didn't have it for a reference.

At first I was intimidated by the instructions. I just knew I would tear the paper pattern when I tried it on for a fitting. And I only had myself...no helper to measure and "fit" me. But I am very, very happy with the end result. I have made the first pair of pants in my life that truly fit me. They are without a doubt the most comfortable in my closet. And my husband says they are extremely flattering. My figure is a challenge to any pant's maker. One hip is 1 inch higher than the other; with the aging process I have added weight to my high hips and have a dropped derriere. But with the slacks I made using this book, you don't see these flaws. They actually make me look slimmer.

This book was extremely helpful to me because it explained the rationale behind the fitting problems. I was suddenly able to understand how my various figure problems caused the pants to hang on my body, and ultimately translate into a poorly fitting garment. The solutions became obvious.... After awhile, I found myself using the knowledge and solving my own problems even though the book provided a guide to solve any problem in fit. It was educational and empowered me. I feel I am better prepared to fit others for whom I sew...such as a teenage granddaughter who can be very picky.

I am glad I bought the book because I frequently refer to it for the many tips it includes. When I returned the borrowed book from my local library, I found myself checking my mailbox daily for the one I had purchased. I truly missed it and couldn't wait to get my own. I highly recommend this book. And if this is any example of Pati Palmer's other books, I will be buying more! Read more ›

69 of 69 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Want pants that fit? Buy this book August 17, 2006

By K. Franklin VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is my fourth fitting book and the ONLY one that helped me achieve a good fit in a pair of home-sewn pants. I can't tell you how many fitting shells I have attempted to make - including the "custom designed" one from DRESS SHOP software. All I got for all my study and work was frustration and a lot of ugly, unwearable pants. Now I've got what I need to make pants that fit. I got them right the first time around! WOW! No matter what your shape, you can make pants that fit nicely and flatter your unique figure. I highly recommend this book.

39 of 39 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Resource February 2, 2007

By jw

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book is one of a kind for showing real world pant-fitting issues and how to solve them. Palmer-Pletsch has been a trailblazer in writing for the home sewing market since its earliest days. Many, actually, most sewing and fitting books merely collect old info and display it well. Instead, Palmer-Plestch has collected data and new fitting solutions to very difficult derriere problems (and most others) from their years of hands-on experience running a sewing school and present it in excellent photos and illustrations in a thorough manner. My husband was rather surprised by some of the "models", but that is just the point: these are real-world, applied solutions to real people!

In my mind, the only negative to the Palmer-Pletsch method is that they believe in tissue-fitting without doing any previous flat pattern work to get the pattern "into the ball park". This may very well be only an issue for me, personally, as I have always worked that way. Their method is too place the unaltered pattern on the figure and to systematically analyze each wrinkle and alter the pattern until all grainlines are straight, all wrinkles are gone and all major seams hang in the right place.

Another excellent feature of this book is a comprehensive set of design alterations for customizing your pant pattern once it fits you: different waistband, pocket, and hem treatments, darted and pleated styles, etc.

The only other reference book that one might purchase for pant fitting and sewing is the 1989 Singer Sewing Reference Library's "Sewing Pants that Fit". This is also an excellent resource with terrific photo illustrations.... It has a very good and comprehensive fitting section, although I would go with the Palmer-Pletsch guide if there is any discrepancy in fitting advice, particularly on fitting the crotch. The Singer book is particularly good for construction and offers photo illustrations on construction, which I found helpful. The Palmer-Pletsch book offers photos for all fitting problems and drawn illustrations for construction. Together, these two books should do it! Read more ›

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Patience equals a good fit August 25, 2007

By Linda D. Abel

Format:Paperback

If you have the patience to work at it this book will help you get a great fit in your slacks. It helps if you also purchase a palmer pletch pattern for pants as well. They already have all the markings for adjustments.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, pants demystified January 9, 2007

By M. Dreibelbis

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is one of the best books I have read on construction details. I have read it front to back and refer to it often when making pants, shorts, even skirts. I really recommend making a muslin first and follow all the recommendation for adjusting the pattern from the muslin. It will change the way you make pants forever!