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

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

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.

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 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #98,300 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

66 of 66 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 "Are we there yet?" (Minnesota) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pants for Real People: Fit and Sew for Any Body (Sewing for Real People series) (Paperback)

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.

64 of 64 people found the following review helpful:

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

By 

Julia (Salt Lake City) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pants for Real People: Fit and Sew for Any Body (Sewing for Real People series) (Paperback)

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.

58 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars DesignsbySharon, July 11, 2007

By 

Designs by Sharon - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pants for Real People: Fit and Sew for Any Body (Sewing for Real People series) (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!