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Instant Fit Check

Trace your shoulder slope directly on the surface of your cutting mat with a permanent marker.
For easy reference, add neckline and T-shirt shapes.
My cat, Zack, also finds the mat fascinating. Thats his furry orange head at left. He kept sneaking into the photo!  
Trace your shoulder slope directly on the surface of your cutting mat with a permanent marker.

Trace your shoulder slope directly on the surface of your cutting mat with a permanent marker.

Photo: Judith Neukam

Flip your cutting mat and check that shape! When the shoulder slope on a pattern doesn't match your body, it can throw
the fit way off. To simplify sewing bodices, I just traced my shoulder slope on the back of my cutting mat. Every time
I open a new pattern, I can easily flip my mat over, check the shoulder slope, and make needed adjustments.

This system works so well that I also copied my favorite necklines and the shapes of loose-fitting T-shirts. I used a permanent felt-tip marker and copied along the pattern seamlines.

NOTE: To make your tracing even more useful, you can also copy the bust point and waistline for reference.

Don't forget to pick up your copy of The Best of Threads: Fitting!

stitchhappy judith neukam, senior technical editor
Posted on Mar 28th, 2013 in sewing, tips & tricks, fitting

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Comments (5)

Carly_Sue Carly_Sue writes: I will have someone help do this tracing on me. I hadn't ever seen this done before. I can see why it is so important that the shoulder slope is just right in order for garments to hang right. Thanks
Posted: 9:04 pm on April 25th

RedPointTailor RedPointTailor writes: Great idea. I have made my basic body pattern for upper body and skirt. Anytime I have new pattern I first check with this basics. It works as well good.
Posted: 3:28 pm on April 10th

AdaSharon AdaSharon writes: Great Idea. Judith you truly are an inspiration for us.
Posted: 11:13 am on April 4th

eemaw eemaw writes: Hi,

Great idea, but how did you trace the shape without distortion?

Thanks
Posted: 10:18 am on March 29th

donnaei donnaei writes: What a terrific idea! I have sloping shoulders, this suggestion I can put to use right away!
Posted: 11:22 pm on June 6th

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