Fitting Finesse

Rating:
Summary: Great general reference
Review: for a novice sewer I found it to complicated to follow.

Rating:
Summary: "Fitting Finesse" is Fantastic!!
Review: I had completely given up sewing clothing for myself until I found this book. The very first time I followed the instructions for fitting clothing using Nancy's Pivot and Slide method of pattern alteration, I was able to finally sew a garment that FIT! A "must-have" for any sewist's library-whether a beginner or an expert

Rating:
Summary: Great general reference
Review: I've always known I'm hard to fit - short, heavy, 40G bust, big belly, large thighs, short arms, big biceps, extremely short rise, etc... After working through my measurements and comparing them with the information in Fitting Finesse and the industry "standard" measurements, I finally understood why I am so hard to fit. The book was worth its price just in finally feeling validated instead of picky when nothing fits right. I guess that's why I sew...

Nancy's book is very easy to understand with lots of great pictures. I now know that I need to make 7 different adjustments to a jacket pattern to make it fit flatteringly. With the help of her book, I have been able to do so despite being somewhere between beginner and intermediate in skill. This is a great reference to have and a wise investment BEFORE cutting up 5 yards of expensive fabric (a lesson learned the hard way!).

Rating:
Summary: Sounded great, but didn't work for me
Review: Nancy has done it again. Her CLEAR ILLUSTRATIONS and EASY TO FOLLOW LANGUAGE demystify the alteration process. Until the pattern industry agrees to make patterns that fit REAL bodies instead of that mythical 5'8" 100-pound form, Ms. Zieman's book will be invaluable. I've been sewing for about 40 years. Until I read this book, I always wondered why my patterns never quite fit when I followed the measuring guidelines on the pattern envelopes. It wasn't me, it was the pattern's miscalculations! Nancy tells us how to determine the actual pattern size to purchase (and it ain't the one recommended on the envelope!) Then, she meticulously takes us through the steps required to modify the purchased pattern to ourselves. I used this book to resize a princess style bodice to a prospective bride with a double-D bust. I would not have attempted the changes without Zieman's careful and beautifully illustrated advice.

Rating:
Summary: This is a "must have" reference for any dressmaker.
Review: Nancy has done it again. Her CLEAR ILLUSTRATIONS and EASY TO FOLLOW LANGUAGE demystify the alteration process. Until the pattern industry agrees to make patterns that fit REAL bodies instead of that mythical 5'8" 100-pound form, Ms. Zieman's book will be invaluable. I've been sewing for about 40 years. Until I read this book, I always wondered why my patterns never quite fit when I followed the measuring guidelines on the pattern envelopes. It wasn't me, it was the pattern's miscalculations! Nancy tells us how to determine the actual pattern size to purchase (and it ain't the one recommended on the envelope!) Then, she meticulously takes us through the steps required to modify the purchased pattern to ourselves. I used this book to resize a princess style bodice to a prospective bride with a double-D bust. I would not have attempted the changes without Zieman's careful and beautifully illustrated advice.

Rating:
Summary: Only book to buy for solving fitting problems
Review: Never could get patterns to fit right until I bought this book and tried Nancy's method of pivot and slide. First item I made was a jacket and it fit perfectly. Her directions are clear and easy to follow. Her pictures complement her instructions very well

Rating:
Summary: The only fitting book!!
Review: This book contains the easiest form of altering that I have found in the 40+ years I have been sewing. It does take time to draw, and redraw the pattern pieces, but when the garment is finished, you can pretty well count on a good fit. The directions are easy to follow, and each is accompanied by well-drawn illustrations. It contains just about every imaginable alteration there is. It's great for beginners or advanced sewers of all ages.

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic, Easy to Follow
Review: This book contains the easiest form of altering that I have found in the 40+ years I have been sewing. It does take time to draw, and redraw the pattern pieces, but when the garment is finished, you can pretty well count on a good fit. The directions are easy to follow, and each is accompanied by well-drawn illustrations. It contains just about every imaginable alteration there is. It's great for beginners or advanced sewers of all ages.