Fast Fit: Easy Pattern Alterations for Every Figure

Rating:
Summary: An easy, wonderful guide
Review: Andra Betzina's FAST FIT provides the author's quick tips on easy pattern alterations for every figure. Here the host of TV's Sew Perfect provides an accessible, easy key to understanding fitting patterns, isolating different pattern problems and walking readers through the process of making changes. An easy, wonderful guide.

Rating:
Summary: THANK YOU SANDRA!
Review: I am just like most sewers. I cannot just buy a pattern in the correct(?)size, make it and wear it well. There are always problems with some of your body contours. This book is very easy to use, beautifully illustrated, and oh so easy to understand. Altering a pattern is almost impossible if you don't already know something about accomplishing what you need to do. I thought I knew almost everything, but boy was I wrong. The alterations to patterns have been approached very clearly by Betzina. I have enjoyed her other books, but this one is the BEST. I am ready to start altering a pattern and am looking forward to it. The only problem is that I have to get the book back from a good friend who wanted to see it. I really am looking forward to using the information from the book. Thanks again Sandra, I'm beginning to think of you as one of my best friends. Ann Brown, Madison, Wisconsin

Rating:
Summary: Fast fit, but not good fit.
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Useful but not complete
Review: I liked this book and thought some of the other reviews were a little harsh. It offers good information for suggested ease, actual inch recommendations for increase/decrease, and some good theory for pattern adjustment. Let's just face it, fit can be complicated. I haven't found one book that gives all of the answers. I usually consult quite a variety of books and use a combination of methods when I'm making a gown for a complex non-ideal figure. I don't know if this book is what you are looking for, but it has become a welcome addition to my sewing book collection.

Rating:
Summary: Some really good information
Review: I liked this book and thought some of the other reviews were a little harsh. It offers good information for suggested ease, actual inch recommendations for increase/decrease, and some good theory for pattern adjustment. Let's just face it, fit can be complicated. I haven't found one book that gives all of the answers. I usually consult quite a variety of books and use a combination of methods when I'm making a gown for a complex non-ideal figure. I don't know if this book is what you are looking for, but it has become a welcome addition to my sewing book collection.

Rating:
Summary: Useful but not complete
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Cindy Roy
Review: 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.