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Fast Fit: Easy Pattern Alterations for Every Figure (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "Good fit makes the difference between something you love and something that simply hangs in your closet..." (more)
Key Phrases: Today's Fit, Personal Measurement Chart, Butterick Company (more...)

4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)

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5 new from $17.40 15 used from $4.25 1 collectible from $24.95

Formats		Amazon Price	New from	Used from
Hardcover Available from these sellers. Published August 13, 2001	Hardcover, August 13, 2001	--	$17.40	$4.25
Paperback $12.21 In Stock. Published June 30, 2003	Paperback, June 30, 2003	$12.21	$8.63	$8.25

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Store-bought patterns usually need a bit of finessing to take them from a general size to an individual's perfect fit. Sandra Betzina, the host of HGTV's Sew Perfect, knows exactly how to alter a pattern to compensate for just about every figure flaw or to accommodate any figure type. Fast Fit is packed with dozens of clear analyses of all the "problem areas"--from broad back to thin neck, sloping shoulders to large upper arms, big tummy to bowed legs--and step-by-step solutions to turn a standard pattern into something that corrects the fit in each area.

The introductory section explains how to take proper measurements, choose the right size, and approach the pattern-alteration process. Illustrations of altered patterns show precisely how to cut apart and reposition the pattern pieces, although some details may need a bit of interpretation since the patterns are shown quite small. One other drawback is that, easy as these fixes may generally be, they're not necessarily fast from the start, since Betzina recommends that you first make a fitting shell to highlight problem areas. (But once you've figured these out you can then apply the information to many patterns.) All in all, this is a good reference, and unless you know how to draft your own patterns from scratch, you'll probably benefit from Betzina's help. --Amy Handy

Review

"Take the fear out of pattern adjustments and learn what makes things fit with the details for any body type from the wonderful information in this book."

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: Taunton Press (August 15, 2001)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1561584940
ISBN-13: 978-1561584949
Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 7.2 x 0.9 inches
Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds

Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)

Amazon.com Sales Rank: #472,463 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)
Popular in this category: (What's this?)
#8 in Books > Home & Garden > Expert Advice > Sandra Betzina

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Inside This Book (learn more)

First Sentence:
Good fit makes the difference between something you love and something that simply hangs in your closet. Read the first page

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Today's Fit, Personal Measurement Chart, Butterick Company, Checking the Grainline

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Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats

Citations (learn more)

This book cites 5 books:

Pattern Making by the Flat Pattern Method (8th Edition) by Norma R. Hollen in Front Matter
Fitting and Pattern Alteration: Three Methods by Elizabeth L Liechty in Front Matter
Art of Sewing: Basics and Beyond by Shirley L. Smith in Front Matter
The Sew/Fit Manual: Making Patterns Fit : A Guide to Pivoting and Sliding by Ruth Oblander in Front Matter
Sewing for Plus Sizes: Design, Fit, and Construction for Ample Apparel by Barbara Deckert in Front Matter

2 books cite this book:

Books on Related Topics (learn more)

Fit for Real People by Barbara Weiland

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

	59% buy the item featured on this page: Fast Fit: Easy Pattern Alterations for Every Figure 4.2 out of 5 stars (17)
	13% buy Fit for Real People: Sew Great Clothes Using ANY Pattern (Sewing for Real People series) 4.6 out of 5 stars (32) $18.21
	11% buy The Perfect Fit: The Classic Guide to Altering Patterns 4.5 out of 5 stars (16) $12.89
	9% buy More Fabric Savvy: A Quick Resource Guide to Selecting and Sewing Fabric 4.8 out of 5 stars (25) $16.47

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Customer Reviews

17 Reviews

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

Average Customer Review

4.2 out of 5 stars (17 customer reviews)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

124 of 127 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Bad fit, September 25, 2001

By	B. Louis "sewingbunny" (Plantation, Florida United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have to start this review by stating that I adore Sandra Betzina. I have seen her in person several times and she is a generous teacher full of wonderful ideas. Her books are normally full of wonderful photographs worth the price of the book alone. The photos in this book are not great - even one of Sandra in a most unflattering outfit. I also found some of the techniques shown quite strange. I was puzzled by the knock-knee alteration, which would actually make my pants look worse, not better and the full-bust alteration, which does not allow for extra length (only width). If you are serious about learning to fit yourself, Fit For Real People by Palmer/Pletsch or Fitting Finesse by Nancy Zieman are better books.

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98 of 102 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Cindy Roy, August 23, 2001

By	Cindy Brown (Raleigh, NC United States) - See all my reviews

You will be disappointed by poor quality photos. I have 20/20 vision and had to use a magnifying glass. Additionally, only one or two photos were used to illustrate a six to eight step instruction ("Power Sewing" uses at least twice that many along with closer more-detailed pictures). Many times her instructions lacked detail or were unclear which, along with bad photos, left me puzzled over her fitting "solution". Fast Fit is a misleading name as Sandra wants you to make a basic fitted shell for each company you purchase patterns from then, for every adjustment made, make a pretest garment in scrap fabric. Cartoon drawings are used to illustrate fitting problems (swayback, narrow shoulders, etc.) when a "real" person photo would be more effective in seeing how things wrinkle or hang. Sometimes, after adjustments are made or for just a better fit, it's necessary to reposition button holes, collars or lapel lines--this is not addressed anywhere in her book. For beginning to intermediate sewing levels, Fitting Finess by Nancy Zieman or A Perfect Fit by Singer have clearer more-detailed instructions and better photos.

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35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Useful but not complete, April 9, 2003

By A Customer

When I first got this book, I didn't think it was all that useful, except for the bust adjustment (which, by the way DOES add length and width) and a couple of others. However, the more I actually work on fitting, the more I find myself referring to it and understanding the rationale behind the adjustments. Here's the bottom line: the book is not so well organized, and the adjustments will not work in every scenario. You have to be aware of exactly where your fitting problem originates and then decide if the recommended adjustment in this book addresses that particular area. I would not recommend this book as your only fitting book, or as your introduction to fitting. I would say, instead, get a good general book like others recommended, and use this one as a reference when a different approach is needed for specific areas. P.S. the bust adjustment is the best one I've found for dartless tops.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars good book, good price
i purchased this book because of my college teacher's recomendation. good condition used book as described. received the book within a week. Read more

Published 1 month ago by ANA NGUYEN

5.0 out of 5 stars great book
This book explains a lot about altering patterns to fit different body types, just what I needed!

Published 6 months ago by Julie G. Littleton

5.0 out of 5 stars A Beginning
Preface: (1) I have not yet tried any of the methods in the book, (2) this is the first time I've purchased a book on this topic (pattern alteration), and (3) I've only been... Read more

Published 10 months ago by JGo

5.0 out of 5 stars Fast Fit review
This book is well written and very helpful. Everyone should have this book if they have problems fitting clothes. Read more

Published 16 months ago by Sheila

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and helpful
I really like the way this book is put together. You can find any area that you want to alter the pattern for easily and the instructions are clear and easy to follow. Read more

Published on August 6, 2007 by pastrymama

5.0 out of 5 stars A great INTRODUCTION to pattern adjustments for beginners
Okay, I love this book! I'm brand-new to garment sewing and the first pattern I sewed was such a disaster that it went straight to Goodwill!! Read more

Published on July 19, 2007 by R. D. Rumpf

5.0 out of 5 stars almost excellent
a quick reference book to correct patterns. I helps also to correct a few of skinny ladies' imperfections, which was quite a surprise in a world that thinks that round forms are a... Read more

Published on June 8, 2007 by CLAUDIA BARBARA CARRINO

4.0 out of 5 stars Ready-to-Wear fix-it
With the exception of her wrap knit top pattern, I'm not a fan of Sandra Betzina's patterns. They're just not my style. Read more

Published on March 8, 2007 by Sewcrazy

5.0 out of 5 stars Never sew without it!
This is by far my favorite pattern fitting book. Every pattern you sew must be fitted--and differently for every person you sew for. Read more

Published on July 31, 2006 by M. Muff

5.0 out of 5 stars My Most Useful Sewing Book
I borrowed this book from the library about 10 times before I finally bought it. If your clothes wrinkle at the bust or pull across the tummy, there's a reason and this book... Read more

Published on September 19, 2005 by J. Peters

› See all 17 customer reviews...

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