Replies

1. 
   NancySews | Jul 17, 2006 10:11pm | #1

   Hi everyone.  I am new to this board and very glad to be here.  For WandaJ, I use the Today Fit patterns all the time and love them.  The pants patterns especially.  If you're measurements are true, you'll have few alterations.  I was amazed at how well they fit.  It's so exciting to be able to sew up a nice fitting pair of slacks knowing that when I cut my good fabrics they will be fitted and worn.  NancySews

1. 
   WandaJ | Jul 17, 2006 10:36pm | #2

   Welcome to this board and thank you for your reply. I am sure you will learn a lot from all of the wonderful information that is presented here.  And, it's just good to know that you have a place to go where everyone speaks the same language (or, almost the same)- sewing!

   I was pleased to learn that the Sandra Betzina pants patterns fit really well; and, you have confirmed one suspicion I had and that is no matter the pattern designer or company in most instances, one will still have to alter the pattern before cutting into that 'expensive, beautiful fabric!

   WandaJ

    

    

1. 
   PASDENOM | Jul 18, 2006 09:05pm | #3

   In determining what pattern lines fit it's important to include info on your figure. Something that fits one person will be all wrong for another person. Betzina's patterns are designed for a "mature" figure. She also grades them for different cup sizes, with A/B/C being drafted for a B cup, C/D/E for a C cup, F/G/H for a D cup. I hope I have those right. I've also heard her pants patterns fit people with more of a tummy than most patterns and that her crotch curve is different too.

1. 
   JeanEsther | Jul 19, 2006 02:08am | #4

   I bought one of her pants patterns, but inside it said the pattern had a European crotch curve and was adjusted for a fuller tummy, bigger waist, and flatter seat. The last three were the opposite of the adjustments I want so I never made the pattern. I used the instruction sheet on other pants, though, and liked them. I bought one of her blouse patterns: it's adjusted for a broader back and narrower upper chest, also adjustments opposite from what I want, but the pattern has so many areas that can be altered I'm going to give it a try.

2. 
   mem | Jul 20, 2006 03:13am | #5

   Her jeans pattern is superb!!!!!!!!!!!

1. 
   PASDENOM | Jul 20, 2006 07:37pm | #6

   Sounds as if her jeans fit you well. Would you mind describing the fit, e.g. flat seat, round tummy.

1. 
   mem | Jul 21, 2006 02:46am | #7

   I am very tall 5 ft 10 and solid but well muscled . I have a flat tummy but bulges in the high hip and not a big difference between waist and hip My legs and hips are slimmish  I found that with her pattern I had to take width out of the back leg as they were too wide and I made the Jeans out of a heavy stretch woven drill but made the lining of the waist band and back yoke out of unwashed muslin and used twilltape to stabilize the waist seam . If I hadn't done this it would have grown as I wore them.

   My butt isn't flat but its not pert any more either ! There was a good article in a copy of Threads a few years ago written by her and talking about how to alter the pattern if needed . It had a photo of two women wearing Jeans , one red pair and one blue . Good article worth reading. She talks about making the back crotch length longer I guess to accommodate the effect of gravity on the middle aged butt. I actually construct the front and back and make sure that I leave large side seam allowances and then fit them and stitch them up with a large stitch length  , Move around ,bend over, sit down etc and the ascertain if they need to be adjusted in any more and then do the seam permanently and finish the facing on the waist etc.  She says that for a firm fit to cinch in the hip measurement by an extra inch when taking the measurements and to use that measure emnt when choosing the size you are going to cut out. Oh I also use twill tape in the back center seam and in the seam between the back yoke and the pants back,.

3. 
   From my Stash.... | Jul 22, 2006 12:46am | #8

   I have been reading all the replies to your original inquiry and they are correct. Her pattern fits are definitely for the more mature fit - different bust points (lower than the standard Vogue patterns that I used for years), the generous tummy and European crotch seam - but using the patterns as my starting point has meant that they have cut down on the number of pattern  adjustments that I would normally have to make.

   I attended one of Sandra's fitting seminars at the craft and sewing festival here in Toronto last year. With a group of about 15 - 20 students, we all tried on the finished jacket and pants in the pattern size most likely to fit from our measurements (Sandra brought with her 1 finished garment of each in every pattern size in the pattern range) and then she showed us how to fit them to each participant's body requirements. Watching the explanation of each of the various fitting changes and getting the explanation of how to change them was a great experience and well worth the seminar cost. So, even though the patterns are made to fit a more mature body type, you still have to adjust them for your own specifics.

   I've since made two jackets from her series using the same adjustments and they have both come out fabulous and I am about to try the jeans pattern. My advise is the usual ...start with the pattern size for the best fit for the most critical area of your body, make up a muslin and then adjust before cutting your good fabric.

   Good luck

1. 
   WandaJ | Jul 22, 2006 07:33am | #9

   Thank you. WandaJ

4. 
   user-82747 | Jul 24, 2006 01:58am | #10

   I have been on other sewing discussions boards and the general consensus seems to be that Vogue has some of the best patterns out there.  They fit better from the start and don't need as much alteration as other patterns.    I am a long time sewer and always shyed away from Vogue, thinking they were too complex.   Wish I knew then what i know now about their patterns.   

   I like my pants to fit smoothly, (I don't like elastic waists or pleated fronts) and these patterns work well.  I may need only to take in the side seams for fitting.

   Good luck.

    

5. 
   Teaf5 | Jul 27, 2006 01:41am | #11

   Although I have a typically mature figure, her blouse/jacket/vest patterns have not worked for me at all--just too much fabric through the upper chest and shoulders, no matter what size or alterations I made.  I really liked the designs and details, but maybe they're just not right for my particular shape.

1. 
   From my Stash.... | Jul 29, 2006 12:18am | #12

   Re your finding of too much fabric in the upper chest - in her fitting seminar, we had one woman with exactly this problem. After looking at the fit, Sandra actually took the woman down one size in the jacket to get the fit correct across the upper chest and front shoulders and then adjusted the rest of the pattern - this was the channel, princess seamed jacket. By getting the fit right in this most important area, then the jacket looked much better and the rest of the fitting was much more straight forward.

   if you like the designs, want to try this and make up a muslin to check this out.  Good luck,