Plus-Size Pattern Fitting & Design

Who says you can't be plus-size and fashionable? Learn how to make stylish clothes that fit and flatter your body in Plus-Size Pattern Fitting and Design.

Barbara Deckert, author of Sewing for Plus Sizes and Sewing 911: Practical and Creative Rescues for Sewing Emergencies, draws on years of custom dressmaking and her own experience as a large woman. She teaches this class with honesty, warmth and humor.

As you work along with Barbara, you'll pick up dozens of techniques and design tips about pattern adjustment, fitting and construction. Her techniques apply to any garment, for any size person, male or female. But this class focuses on the unique figure variations and clothing needs of the plus-size woman. It's about time!

What You'll Learn

• Pattern alteration techniques used in custom dressmaking
• How to make or adjust a dress form to your custom measurements
• Design considerations and fabric suggestions for the plus-size woman
• How to adjust and true darts for a flattering fit
• What the wrinkles in your clothes are telling you about the fit, and how to make them disappear
• Creating a basted garmet for fitting adjustments
• Supply and workspace suggestions for plus-sized sewists

What You'll Make

Vogue 8815, a classic peplum top with short, long or no sleeves. This pattern, included FREE with the class, includes sizes to U.S. 24 (46" or 112 cm bust), but Barbara shows you how to adjust or upsize it to fit your unique figure and how to create four design variations from understated to edgy.

What You'll Need

• Intermediate sewing skills, including some garment sewing experience
• Fashion fabric and notions for your chosen pattern and size
• Sewing machine
• 60" or 120" tape measure and dressmaker's ruler
• Tissue paper and adding machine tape or scrap paper
• General sewing supplies