Palmer/Pletsch - Fit Workshop July 2012

FBA on V8804.  It's not hanging perfectly because I'm avoiding the pins at the side.

The Palmer/Pletsch (PP) fit workshop was everything I had hoped for and more.  I purchased my first PP pattern sometime in the 80’s.  Their guide sheet contains additional information about fit and construction.  Over the past 10 years, I purchased about two dozen PP patterns and the “Fit for Real People” book.   The patterns and book have been a tremendous help to me with making fit adjustments.  This class builds on that knowledge.

Each day Pati/Marta brought garments from there private collection to help illustrate several useful points about fit, versatile patterns, design changes, and fabric use.  For example, the first day of class both Marta and Pati wore their rendition of Melissa’s jacket (M6294).  They had added topstitching to the back yoke that emulated the chevron affect that the striped fabric produced in my jacket.

On the first day, we received a lesson on the history of pattern companies to help us understand the evolution of pattern sizing and how the industry has struggled in recent years to maintain a viable customer base.  We also received a lesson on the resurgence of the home sewer.  In recent decades home economics has been removed from many of the high schools in North America.  Today, many twenty and thirty somethings are making their own clothes due to the poor quality of industry manufacturers. 

Each person was taught how to measure themselves before selecting the appropriate pattern size.  This was accomplished using the high bust measurement.  This measurement correlates to the bust measurement indicated on the pattern envelope.  Using this measurement is the best way to select a size to fit your neck and shoulders. We used M2718, which includes a sloper, dress, skirt, and blouse pattern.  The sloper has multiple bodice fronts ranging in cup sizes A to DD.   If you are a DD + use the front bodice for a B cup and make FBA.  This was a great learning experience.  The guide sheet provides excellent instructions on how to use the pattern as well as how the make the adjustments.  BTW-  Each of the big four offer a version of this sloper.  The pattern companies also use this sloper to create all patterns.  

                           Pati and Susan.  Susan brought this jacket for a lesson in fitting.                              

 

I was surprised by some of my fitting adjustments.  I should make a broad shoulder adjustment (back) easing or darting at the shoulder to match front shoulder seam; make deeper seam allowance at side bodice as needed; slightly shorten right side of bodice to match length of torso; shorten front skirt at the waist instead of the bottom to even out the hemline; and initially, I measured for a size 16 (later discovered that a 14 will do in most cases.)  In the past, I would do:  a sway back adjustment, a full bust adjustment, and some length adjustments; some shorten (crotch area), and a prominent shoulder blade adjustment.   The exercise produced slightly different adjustments for me.  Of course, I will test the new adjustments and share the results with you.  I do recommend the exercise especially to new sewers.  It will reveal important information about adjustments needed for other patterns you want to sew from.

New stitching line indicated in red for my skirt pattern.

Another day, they taught the difference between princess seam and a side seam.  It’s a subtle difference, but a difference just the same.   I wasn’t aware that there was a difference.  (More on that as I post my next batch of sewing projects.)

My Fitted Patterns

 

As part of our supply list, we were to bring a few patterns of choice to fit during class.  I chose to bring a group from my collection that were challenging to me.  (S2894, V1192, V1127, and V8727)  These were challenging because I didn’t quite know how to go about making the FBA without a huge dart.   I wanted to keep the same design lines.   These patterns were perfect candidates for rotating the dart or rotating the FBA excess to the gathers or pleats.  All were successfully fitted using the PP FBA techniques.   The Vogue dress V1192 was the most time consuming.  Marta taught me how to rotate the bust dart into the pleats.  Then she taught me how to readjustment the pleats to form the proper drape.  This FBA contained a lot of steps, but it was doable.  Other patterns adjusted during the workshop are:  M6116, M6042, and V8804.  I was pleased to get so many altered during the time of the workshop.

FBA before rotating the dart to the neckline (V8727 Blouse).

Dart rotated to the neckline to be gathered (V8727 Blouse.)

 

I feel I covered a fair amount of details about my experience at the four day workshop. I don’t want to give away the farm.  There were many lessons learned.  My plan is to use the techniques and practices learned in upcoming sewing projects. I want to quickly incorporate my new skills into my sewing.  The fitting exercises may be presented as a tutorial to show more details from point A to point Z.  Meanwhile, there is more to come on fabric stores, notions, color analysis. 

Below are some important and helpful tips/lessons learned about fit and sewing are below:

• Learn how to select the correct pattern size using the high bust measurement.  It will save you from struggling with neck and shoulder adjustments. 
• Start the tissue fit process from the back; then work your way around to the front, shoulder and sides.
• Know the difference between style and wear ease.  Most patterns have the finished garment measurements for the bust, waist, and hip printed on the pattern.  The measurements will be different based on the style of the garment.  Sometimes it’s okay to absorb some of the style ease for small fit issues. But if too much of the style ease is used for wear ease, the design of the garment may become distorted.  So it is best to do the fit adjustment rather than “cheat” by overly using the style ease.
• Dart manipulation – sometimes you have to make two or three at the bust area instead of one.  Or you may need to change the angle for a more flattering appearance.
• Absorption of FBA dart by rotating into pleats or gathers.  If you want to maintain the style lines of a garment, you can rotate the excess into the pleats or gathers.  Some adjustments may be required to get the right drape, but it is doable.  Test it.
• The Palmer/Pletsch fit techniques work with other patterns brands.  These techniques have helped solve some of my fitting issues.  The “Fit for Real People” is a great resource to have in your library.
• Learn to read the wrinkles.  They point to the area where fit adjustments need to occur.
• Take a Palmer/Pletsch fit workshop.  It’s worth it.  The books are great, but the hands-on-classroom learning is outstanding.  You will have Pati and Marta to help guide you through the difficult parts.
• Don’t be afraid to try something new.  Find what works for you.  
• The proper tools make fitting and sewing easier.  Good reference materials and notions can make a world of difference in your finished garments.
• While I was in Oregon, I purchased the Full Busted and Fabric DVD’s.  I also purchased “The Business of Teaching Sewing” for the Teacher Certification Workshop (July 18^th), Grid Tracing Paper, and “Couture Sewing” book.  Books and other products can be found on the Palmer/Pletsch website if you are interested.

That’s all for today!

Happy Sewing,
C