Pati PalmerThe Palmer Pletsch Complete Guide to Fitting: Sew Great Clothes for Every Body. Fit Any Fashion Pattern (Sewing for Real People series)

I've had this book for 2 years now. I began sewing long before this book was published in 2018, and wish it had been around when I started making clothes.Standard patterns, unless you're very-very unusual, stop fitting so well 'out of the box' the more you age. If you've had a series of projects end poorly fitting, then your sewing skill hasn't waned, you've just aged enough for standard patterns to not fit so well anymore - happens to us all (if we're lucky enough to get to age that is).I discovered this book when searching for pattern fitting. Fitting tissues instead of draughting patterns was something I'd wondered about, but it hadn't been a thing when I began sewing. Tissue fitting is a game changer.I refer to this book every time I make now, and repeatedly - it must be my most used book, filled with sticky notes.I suggest you don't try to digest it all. It felt like too much preamble, seemed to repeat things and be oddly organised. Still does feel that way, but I am an experienced sewist. I suspect the preamble might be useful to the less experienced.Read just far enough to jump in, with a 'follow along' project. Use it to make something rather than attempt to study it all beforehand, is my recommendation. I did this using chapter 13 'Fitting Sequence' - was lucky for me, but you might find one of the earlier chapters better. After two or three tissue fits, I now know my alterations, can anticipate them, and the book makes complete sense.I've made several garments since buying this book, all tissue fitted, and recently altered a Japanese pattern book pattern with fantastic success. I'm a taller than average European (not at all Japanese petite), have a very slight high back, as well as other small, but fit significant age related alterations.The book helps with stylistic changes too, though its focus is getting patterns to fit perfectly.Being able to cut fabric out using a bought pattern knowing for certain the fit will be correct makes the sewing bit relaxing and fun. It's given me the joy of sewing back.(I've gone on to buy their other books since).

Informative, excellent buy.

This is an essential book for those wanting to alter paper patterns so that the garment is the correct fit.

Yes, the book appears old-fashioned but don’t be put off. When I first opened it, it was a jolt to the eyes due to the layout and appearance, but as soon I started reading, none of that mattered. The content over-rules that. It breaks everything down into logical, manageable steps and is easy to follow. I know other reviews complain that other books by the authors are referenced, but there is always more than sufficient detail before the reference is given. Given how many books the authors have written it would be impossible to put all the detail in one book. Other reviews also comment on content jumping around too much between chapters - I didn’t find that a problem. Having sewn for around 8 years I wish I’d had this book right from the start. No more wondering why something doesn’t fit and what on earth to do to fix it - it’s all very clearly laid out here, crucially with the steps to ensure a great fit from the pattern pieces without need for a fabric toile or heartache from the ill-fitting final garment! If you want to understand how to make your clothes fit your body, this is the book.

this book reveals a more understanding of patterns and how patterns can be altered so the clothing you want is the clothing you make and the importance of knowing your body shape and measurements. Love the detail. A must for great fitting clothes.

I’ve been sewing for over 50 years but after body changes I was finding it difficult to get the fit I needed from commercial patterns. This book explains everything you need to know to get a good fit, even from patterns you thought you’d ‘outgrown’. I’ve always been able to fit dresses on others but I am now looking forward to trying these methods on myself as it seems relatively easy to manage this solo using this method. No more wastage making a muslin which still doesn’t fit, getting frustrated that your body measures very differently than sizes on patterns. It even has a small section on techniques. Excellent book I would highly recommend.

really happy with this book. The point of sewing my own clothes was so that i could make things that really fitted. This helps me with this.Very clear with lots of good images.

I have sewn for years but never a great deal of garments. This was perfect to aid the first dipping of my toe into fitting a garment rather than just grading a pattern. A great reference book for experienced garment sewists too. It helped me to tissue fit for the first time and demonstrated what to do to correct the areas that were clearly not fitting properly. I still have lots of practice to do, but I have more confidence with this book by my side.