Pattern Alterations: Fixing Fit Issues

Being able to do basic pattern alterations on various pattern pieces and different types and styles of clothing will open the door to many garment projects in your future. Pattern alterations may appear daunting at first, but can be easy to master if you break them down into simple, manageable steps. This video course, produced in conjunction with National Sewing Circle, will teach you how to alter shirt necklines, fronts and backs, shirt sleeves, skirts and pants in multiple ways- all of which will fix different common fit issues.

First, you will learn what tools are needed to perform these basic alterations, including marking pens and rulers. You will also learn about some of the different pattern papers that can be used when drafting patterns and making alterations, including paper for the whole pattern pieces and smaller pieces of paper that may need to be added to the pattern to complete an alteration. National Sewing Circle Instructor Ashley Hough will then begin by teaching you how to alter the neckline of a shirt pattern piece to make it smaller without changing the overall look of the shirt. This helps to fix the fit issue knows as a gaping neckline, where the shirt either hangs too low in the front or falls too far forward when bending over. While your shirt pattern piece may not look exactly like the one being shown in this course, Ashley will show you how to adapt the alteration to whatever type of pattern you are using. You will then learn how to make alterations to the upper back area of a shirt pattern piece.

If it is the shirt sleeves that are giving you a hard time in terms of how they fit, we’ve got you covered, showing how to make several different shirt sleeve alterations. These include how to make a sleeve larger or smaller in width along the entire sleeve as well as how to make adjustments for larger upper arm areas. The alteration method you will be using in this session of the course is known as the slash and spread. While this method works great for this alteration, it is also something you can master and apply to other areas of garments as well. Once you see how to make the adjustment to the sleeve pattern piece you will then learn what adjustments may be needed in order to make the sleeve fit accurately into the armscye.

Next you will learn how to make various alterations to a pencil skirt pattern. Ashley will cover ways to account for a larger or smaller bottom and a larger abdomen. And finally, you will learn how to make similar adjusts for a larger or smaller bottom on a pair of pants. While skirt and pant alterations can be among some of the trickiest, Ashley will show you how to use simple techniques to make your clothes fit better.

In addition to step-by-step video instruction, this video course provides a downloadable PDF that includes step-by-step photos and instructions for each pattern alteration shown in this course. Use these as added visuals when making all of the alterations taught in this class and you are sure to have better fitting garments.

How do I know what the Class covers?

Every Class has a free Preview video you can watch, to give you a flavor of the Instructor and the skills or project that will be covered. In addition, the Overview tab includes a thorough written description of the Class. And finally, each Class Session has a brief written summary of the content in that Session, including the length of each Session video. You will get a good feel for the Class content by reviewing these resources.

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No you don’t. While Premium Members will receive regular offers for special deals on National Sewing Circle content, Classes are not reserved exclusively for Members. If you buy a Class as a non-member, we’re sure you’d also enjoy having access to our full library of great sewing videos and articles as a Member, so give it a try.

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First you should decide that the Class is what you want. Review the Class Preview video and the various written descriptions of the Class and each Session before you purchase, so you have a good understanding of the Class content. When you’re ready to purchase and gain access to the Class, simply click the “Add to Cart” button, and proceed through the Checkout process.

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Until you purchase a Class, the Bonus material (any extra videos, download materials, etc.) will not be accessible. Once you purchase a Class, and go to view your Class, each individual Bonus element is accessible by simply clicking on each item. You’ll find the Bonus Materials directly below your main Class viewer frame. You can access the bonus materials as many times as you like and/or save them to your device.

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Once you purchase any Class, within the Class viewing page, you’ll have access to post a question, comment or tip in the Class Discussions. This is not a “live chat,” but National Sewing Circle contributors will answer posted questions and provide tips regularly. You can also view other Class participants’ questions and input to take part in this virtual dialogue among others who have taken the Class and are willing to share tips, answers, or ideas.

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What are PDF downloads?

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Your Class video content is best when viewed on a computer manufactured in the past couple of years with a good broadband Internet connection (not dialup). We also highly recommend using the latest version of Firefox, Safari, or Chrome as your Internet Browser, though recent versions of Internet Explorer will work as well. The recommended screen resolution is 1024 x 768 or larger.

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Because you’ll have full access to all the materials and content that is presented in the Class immediately, we can’t offer a refund after purchase. Please review the Class Preview video and the various written descriptions of the Class and each Session before you purchase, so you have a good understanding of the Class content.

How do I contact National Sewing Circle?

If your question is about the Class content, please use the Contact Us Link – and you'll receive feedback from the Class Instructor. Even your fellow Class participants may jump in to offer tips and advice from their experience. If you have other questions or need help, you can email us at nationalsewingcircle@program-director.net or call us toll-free, at 1-855-208-7187. Service Representatives will be available Monday-Friday, from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Central time, excluding normal holidays.