Sewing for Plus Sizes: Creating Clothes that Fit and Flatter

by Barbara Deckert

Overview

Everyone looks great in clothes that fit, no matter what your size. If ready-to-wear doesn't do it for you, let Barbara Deckert teach you how to sew for your plus-size body with Sewing for Plus Sizes. She will guide you through the process of selecting designs, fabrics, and colors that flatter plus- and super-size figures. In addition, you'll get great techniques for sizing up any pattern (even those fancy designer ones!), special concerns for plus-size sewers, and lots of hints and advice make this the most useful sewing book you'll ever own.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781561585519
Publisher:	Taunton Press, Incorporated
Publication date:	03/15/2002
Pages:	160
Sales rank:	1,018,184
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.33(d)

About the Author

Deckert, who designs and makes plus-size fashions, is a frequent contributor to Sew News, Threads, BBW, Radiance, and PACC News. She is a charter member of the Professional Association of Custom Clothiers and has over 30 years of sewing experience.

Table of Contents

	Introduction	vi
Chapter 1	Sewing is the solution	2
	You are what you wear	4
	Why you can't find clothes that fit	5
	Good fit makes you feel great!	7
	Sewing: The smart and satisfying solution	8
	Fashion figures for plus sizes	9
Chapter 2	Let's give them something to look at!	10
	What to expect when you sew your own clothes	12
	The components of design	13
	Analyzing proportion and line in pattern designs	18
	About your underwear	24
	Listen to your compliments	25
Chapter 3	Tools for plus-sized sewing	26
	Furniture	28
	Sewing machines	29
	Measuring and drafting tools	30
	Cutting tools	32
	Marking tools	33
	Pressing tools	34
	Hand tools	35
	Dress forms for plus sizes	36
Chapter 4	Choosing fabric for plus-sized designs	40
	Fibers	42
	Making your fabric choice	48
	Underlinings, linings, and interfacings for plus-sized designs	49
	The quest for quality	51
Chapter 5	Adjusting the pattern to fit your body size	52
	Standardized sizing is a misnomer	54
	Your body isn't ideal, it's real: sizing up	56
	Understanding ease	72
	A note on pants	75
	Safety first	77
Chapter 6	Adjusting the pattern to fit your figure variations	78
	Bust adjustments	80
	Rounded upper back	87
	Large upper arms	87
	Large buttocks	88
	Large or hanging belly	88
	Large neck	88
	Large legs	89
	Swayback	89
	Hyperextended calves	89
Chapter 7	Design modifications for plus sizes	90
	Waistbands	90
	Adding pleats to pants	102
	Reinforced seams	105
	Shoulder pads	106
	Closure placement	111
	Button placement	113
	The magic of gussets	113
	Slits and vents	117
	Adapting basic patterns to make other garments	119
Chapter 8	A basted fitting: the only way to get it right!	122
	Basting the garment for a fitting	124
	Fitting from the waist up	126
	Fitting from the waist down	134
	After the fitting	139
Appendix A	Fashion figures for plus-sized designs	140
Appendix B	How to find, select, and work with a custom clothier	142
	Further reading	147
	Resources	149
	Index	153