Replies

1. 
   carolfresia | Oct 23, 2002 10:57pm | #1

   Hi, Annie,

   Check the discussion in the "Fitting" folder. Unique patterns has issued a statement about the bodyskanner--they had some technical difficulties during the market test run, but are standing behind their customers to the best of their ability and plan to proceed with scanning.

   Carol

1. 
   armathi2 | Oct 24, 2002 01:09pm | #2

   Thanks for your response. I did see that statement.

   What I'm still interested in knowing is the feedback from sewers who have used the patterns.

1. 
   Scribe | Mar 11, 2003 06:59pm | #3

   Hi, Annie

   I wondered how your Bodyskanner session went. I had a bad experience (which I posted here). I'm looking for evidence I was not alone. (5 months later, I still do not have any patterns that fit, and I ordered 9. They replaced 3 and THEY don't fit.)

   Scribe

1. 
   MaryAnn | Mar 14, 2003 06:06pm | #4

   I have seen mixed results from the scanner (and all of these were done after the technical problems were supposedly fixed.)  One friend had very good luck with the patterns fitting as expected.  Several others have had no luck.  The measurements provided from the scanner were not even close to the measurements of the body as taken with a tape measure following the instructions provided in the Unique video.   One lady's inseam measurement was over 4" off--she wishes she was that tall.   The company will redo the patterns if you aren't satisfied; you just have to decide for yourself if waiting that long is worth the dollars charged for the scanner.  In addition you may wind up taking a full set of measurements which is exactly what you paid to have the scanner do.

    My own experience:  the circumferential measurements were close (though certainly not within the 1/16th of an inch hyped in the press release from Cleveland), however the inseam measurement was over 1 1/2 inches off.  As sewn straight from the pattern, my pants fit well in the crotch,  and that was about it.  My high hip was measured at 4" from waist-which is correct- however  the darts in the pants went well past that in length.  A better acid test for me would be to order a top as I do several alterations to commercial patterns to make them fit and I know those alterations.  I just can't bring myself to spend 20 dollars for pattern I might still have to alter, as that defeats the purpose of the whole scanning thing.

   The concept is a great one for people who don't have the skill, or time, to do their own pattern alterations.  I'm just not convinced the technology has caught up to the expectations  generated by the press release.

   mary ann in no. va

1. 
   Scribe | Mar 14, 2003 10:19pm | #5

   Thank you for your feed-back. As far as I can see, this was fraudulent business practices. If they couldn't guarantee the measurements were accurate to 1/16th of an inch, why did they state this (several times)? If you have to retake the measurements, why do they charge for the bodyskanner? If they had no intention of drafting a pattern that actually fit YOU, why did they constantly promise this?

   At the session I attended, the person running things specifically mentioned to us as we were waiting that she had scanned two women who had severe scoliosis of the spine. The insinuation was that the skan would make it possible for these women to sew clothing for themselves which would compensate. And yet, when I got my patterns I found no attempt had been made, even after I asked them to redraft and had sent them all the measurements they requested, to adjust even for so slight a problem as asymetrical breasts (a very common problem, requiring each side of the top pattern to be drafted individually).

   I'm totally frustrated. I demanded a refund, and that's the last I've heard from these people.

   Scribe

2. 
   user-222038 | Mar 17, 2003 04:43am | #6

   I'm glad to get some feedback.  I've been wondering if this "gee-whiz" new thing would be worth the investment.  I have very little experience altering patterns and really don't have the time to learn.  I thought the BodySkanner would be a good alternative.  I think I'll wait!

2. 
   TheSloperLad | Mar 22, 2003 03:36am | #7

   Interesting, I must say.  This sounds like an answer to many problems, but one has to wonder - do we really NEED or even WANT to know all of our figure irregularities? 

   TSL

1. 
   Scribe | Mar 22, 2003 04:23am | #8

   Well, yes. *I* think so. I'm tired of skirts that hang too short in the back because my back waist is 1" higher than the front (didn't realize this till I got a good set of measurements--from my cousin!) Or that my left side is 1 1/2 inches bigger from front to side than my right side. All my blouses/jackets pull to the left!

   However, there IS a limit on HOW precise we need to be. So I guess I also agree with you. "Accurate to 1/16th of an inch" is a bit much...

   Scribe

2. 
   TheSloperLad | Mar 23, 2003 01:45am | #9

   Do you ever do pinch-fiting?  It requires a sewing buddy or interested companion to help you tweak a pattern to fit just right while assuring that grainlines are maintained.

   Basically any sloper (basic unstyled pattern) can be tweaked to a just-right-for-you fit, then cut into a master pattern that can be laid under or over a styled pattern to enable you to cut & sew pre-tweaked patterns with related shapes.

3. 
   Scribe | Mar 23, 2003 06:10am | #10

   No, because I've never had a reliable "buddy" to help out. However, recently I got two friends together and we made "duct-tape doubles" of ourselves. Fantastic! Now I can tweak to my heart's delight.

   I haven't given up on sewing just because the Bodyskanner thing was a scam. I'll keep going till I find a perfect fit and then use that to pursue wearable art. I only started this thread to see if anyone else had a similar experience to mine and whether anyone was pursuing any sort of action against Unique Patterns. If not, I intend to start at least a BBB investigation.

   Thanks for the suggestion. I'll be looking for that fit.

   Scribe

2. 
   SewingSue | Mar 23, 2003 09:25pm | #11

   Annie, Did you get your scan? If so, how did it go? I read recently on another forum (don't remember which one) that this process will be the wave of the future but they don't have it down yet. It sounds really great. This was coming from pattern software developers. They said it had their support but it is too early yet. It needs further development.

   Anyway, let us know how it turned out for you. Sue

1. 
   Scribe | Mar 26, 2003 03:18am | #12

   It certainly DOES need work. But you can find out my opinion reading back in this thread.

   Scribe