Got my Sure-Fit Designs Fitting System

Sure-Fit Designs

Alright.  First off, I have to say that it cost considerably more than $41.00.  In order to use the kit properly, you also have to buy tracing paper and the "design stylus".  And the DVD is separate, not part of the kit as I thought.  So, really, the cost was $99.50.  But I paid it, although reluctantly.

Now that I have it though, I believe it is going to be one of the best purchases I ever made.  I have about half of my sloper drafted out.  I still need to do the skirt back and the sleeve.  It has been an interesting couple of days working with this. 

First of all, I had my 19-year-old, non-sewing, daughter help me take the measurements.  She'd never done it before and all of her measurements turned out wrong.  I think she didn't realize that there's an extra bit at the beginning of the tape that you need to disregard.  I got to drawing out the pattern and everything was looking soooo big!  So I started remeasuring myself and found that everything was about an inch too big.  So I had to redraft the bodice front.  Twice. 

I also had trouble with the shoulder to bust apex measurement.  Every time I took it I got a different number.  I finally managed to get 11 inches 3 times, so I went with that.  I had to extend the waist length considerably.  I always thought that I was short-waisted, but I had to add a good 4 inches at the waist!  You should see the fitting dart--it looks like its almost 2 feet long!  (I'm sure that's an exageration, but you get the drift.)

So today's plan is to finish drafting out the master pattern and get the cutting out done.  I may have time to start sewing the muslin, but I'm not sure.  We'll have to see how the day goes.

But I can see where this is going to be a valuable investment for me, if I can get a good sloper drawn.  The instructions that come with the set show you how to draft patterns for any kind of variation you might want.  Since I've been sewing for so long (a good 40 years now!), I can see how they work and I'm getting really excited about this.  Patterns that actually fit when I'm done.  What a concept!  I've been surfing the net for clothing designs that I like and would like to try.  I'm saving them all on my iPad so I have them handy when I'm ready to start sewing.

All in all, a good experience so far.  I'll post results after I get the muslin done.