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.
Class Sessions
Session 1: Overview & Supplies Needed
5:12
In this session you will learn about the different basic alterations that will be covered in this class, including alterations to shirt fronts and backs, sleeves, skirt and pants, as well as what tools you will need to complete them.
Session 2: Shirt Neckline & Upper Back Alterations
28:40
In this session you will learn how to make alterations to the front neckline of a shirt as well as the upper back area. These alterations help to fix gaping necklines as well as fit issues common with a narrow or broad back.
Session 3: Shirt Sleeve Alterations
14:00
In this session you will learn how to make several alterations to shirt sleeves. These alterations fix fit issues common with sleeves being too wide or narrow down the entire sleeve as well as sleeves that are too small in only the upper arm area.
Session 4: Skirt Alterations
18:02
In this session you will learn how to make alterations to a pencil skirt pattern for a better fit. These alterations include how to adjust for a large or small bottom as well as a large abdomen area.
Session 5: Pant Alterations
17:18
In this session you will learn how to make several basic alterations to pant pattern pieces. These alterations fix issues associated with either a large or small bottom without changing the way the pair of pants is supposed to fit on the hips.
Meet Your Instructor
1:58
Learn more about your instructor, Ashley Hough.
Your Instructor
Ashley Hough
Ashley Hough is a quilt designer, pattern maker, instructor, and lover of all things quilting. After learning to sew at the young age of 6 years old, she later discovered the joy of quilting and has grown her skills over the past 15 years. "I love quilting because I love the design process—being able to start with a blank page and essentially create whatever I want." Ashley's designs and patterns have been published in a variety of magazines and her work can be found on National Quilters Circle.
Bonus Material
Class Resource: Pattern Alterations
Download this PDF for step-by-step photos and instructions for each pattern alteration.
Bonus Materials available for download after purchase.
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