If you want to make your own clothes then sewing patterns are one of the best tools to help you get started. But like with using any new tool it can be a bit of a learning curve to get started. So in this video I'm here to help walk you through what to look for and what all the different elements are. We also cover some of the jargon and how to navigate the complicated looking instructions.

In this session I explain some of the jargon used on sewing pattern pieces, why you might want to trace off your sewing patterns and top tips to make that quick and easy to do. So if you have ever thought "What are all these triangles for and why do all these pieces have a two headed arrow on them?" then be sure to watch as I bust the jargon. For the equipment list check out this blog post: https://www.sewmuchmorefun.co.uk/post/1-2-pattern-jargon-and-top-tips-to-trace-off-patterns

In this Tuesday Techniques session why multi-size patterns are fabulous and how to pick the size or sizes that will give you the best fit. A common mistake that many beginner dressmakers make is to start cutting out the pattern size that seems to match the name of the size they would use to buy clothes in the shops. But each pattern company uses its own sizing chart and naming conventions to decide what they will call each pattern size and what measurements that relates to. Watch the video to find out more about what measurements you need and how to take them. We also go through an example of how to then pick the right pattern size for your measurements and then how to mark up the pattern if you need to use different pattern sizes. For details of the pattern used check out this blog post: https://www.sewmuchmorefun.co.uk/post/getting-the-most-from-multi-size-patterns

In this week's session I talk about one of my favourite fitting tools - the toile (pronounced "twahl"). This single tool has helped me save loads of money avoiding patterns that wouldn't suit me and helped me learn so much about fitting for my body shape and size. It was a revelation to me when I realised that making a mockup would be so beneficial and now I use it for each new pattern I try. So have you ever made anything that you end up not wearing because it doesn't suit you or the fit just isn't quite right? Have you ever regretted choosing style variation B instead of A? Well making a toile could be just the answer you are looking for.

Within this video playlist we are going to be exploring the common pattern adjustments I make regularly to improve the fit on different areas of the body. In this session I'll be covering some of the foundations of best practices for assessing fit and making adjustments and explaining what is ease and why it is important. These foundations are the building blocks so this video leads into the following videos in this playlist.

One of the most common adjustments that we make on sewing patterns is to lengthen and shorten pieces. It might seem like a simple adjustment but there are some elements to consider in terms of where to make the adjustment and also what to do when the pattern pieces then don't seem to fit together. As well as changing the finished length of a garment, lengthen and shorten adjustments can be used to reshape the garment and move key features such as the bust point, waist level and hip position. In this Tuesday Techniques session I explain - how to assess where to make your adjustment as you are not limited to just using the lengthen/shorten line on the pattern - what aspects of the pattern piece to consider when making your adjustment - the importance of replicating your adjustments on any related pieces such as facings

In this Tuesday Techniques session we look at how you can make adjustments to the shoulders on a sewing pattern. Getting a good fit on the shoulders is really important as many garments hang from here and poor fit affects the way that the neckline, armholes and bodice sit when worn. We cover how to measure your own shoulder length and slope, how to make adjustments to shorten or lengthen the pattern at the shoulder and how to adjust the slope if you have more square or more sloping shoulders than the pattern was designed for.

In this session we cover how to change a sewing pattern if you are not a B cup size and the pattern doesn't offer different cup sizes. We talk about how to measure your bust, make a full bust adjustment or small bust adjustment on a simple bodice pattern piece. For more Tuesday Technique videos visit https://sewmuchmorefun.co.uk/blog-1 or go to our Facebook page https://facebook.com/sewmuchmorefun where you can ask questions and get help on any of the aspects covered in this tutorial.

If you find that when you make your own clothes the fit of your garments across the back around the shoulder blade type area is too loose or too tight then it could be that you need to make a Narrow or Broad Back adjustment to your sewing pattern. In this video we cover how to spot if you might need this adjustment and two ways to make the adjustment depending on how much of a change is required. You can find more videos like this in the Tuesday Techniques series on the Sew Much More Fun website - https://www.sewmuchmorefun.co.uk/blog-1/categories/tutorials If you like this video please click the thumbs up and subscribe to see more tutorials and tips. Thanks for watching!

If, like me, you have had jobs that require a lot of time sitting at a computer or physical jobs with lots of bending over and lifting then it could be that the top of your back has started to round and your shoulders sit slightly more forward. This change can also happen as we age, but getting older shouldn't stop anyone from having great fitting clothes! If your clothes feel like they are slipping backwards off your shoulders, or if the back or front hem of your garments seem to stick out, then the balance might have been affected by rounding of the upper back and shoulders. I make this adjustment on most of my patterns and the small but effective tweak really helps me to get a great fit across the back and shoulders but also in terms of how the garment hangs. In this Tuesday Techniques session I explain - how to tell if you need a rounded back adjustment - two options for making the adjustment depending on how much you need to add and where the rounding is most prominent. If you have a pattern that you want to work on then why not give these modifications a try as you watch the video. The pattern I have used in this example is the Seamwork Sorbetto top which is a free PDF pattern.

Do you find that the sleeves on your sewing patterns always feel too tight? If you want to use patterns that have options for sleeves then you might find that the sleeve provided doesn't fit your arm. This may be especially true for patterns that are designed for woven, non-stretch fabrics. If you have bigger upper arms and find that when you use the sleeve pattern the sleeve feels too tight then you might want to add more room. Adjusting sleeves can seem daunting as the shape of the sleeve head and how that fits into the armhole can feel a bit like a dark art. But there are some simple adjustments you can make which could make all the difference between a comfortable garment with sleeves or always feeling like you have to pick the sleeveless option. In this Tuesday Techniques session I explain - how to measure your upper arm and the size of the sleeve pattern - how to decide where you might need the extra room - two options for making the adjustment depending on how much you need to add and where you need the extra space. If you have a pattern that you want to work on then why not give these modifications a try as you watch the video.

If you struggle to get a comfortable flattering fit over your tummy area when you use commercial sewing patterns particularly for straight skirts or shift dresses then making a full tummy adjustment could be the answer. If the fabric seems to hug and emphasise your tummy in a way that you are not happy with then following these simple steps will help you adjust your pattern to create a more flattering fit, whilst making the finished garment more comfortable to wear. If you enjoy this video then be sure to subscribe and for more tips head over to sewmuchmorefun.co.uk.

I love the Seamwork Margo Pencil Skirt pattern but I had a request recently asking how to make a full tummy adjustment on this pattern as it is in two pieces and has no apparent dart. In this video I go through the steps that I would recommend to make a full tummy adjustment on this pattern but you could use this for any similar skirt pattern with a two piece front e.g. with a yoke. If you enjoy this video then be sure to subscribe and for more hints and tips head over to sewmuchmorefun.co.uk. Thank you for watching!

Sewing trousers is quite straightforward but getting them to fit well is a whole different story. So in this Tuesday Techniques session I start to tackle the fascinating topic of learning how to adjust trouser patterns to fit your unique body. So if you have struggled to get your trouser patterns to fit then why not join me for this session and start your journey to getting trouser fitting savvy. For more Tuesday Technique videos subscribe to this channel and visit https://sewmuchmorefun.co.uk for pattern reviews, tutorials and more.

When trying to get a trouser pattern to fit there are a number of adjustments that you might want to make for your particular body shape. If you have a fuller tummy then adding a bit more width and length to the top section of the front pattern piece can stop the trousers hugging your tummy and making it seem more prominent than it is. In this Tuesday techniques session we cover how to make adjustments to your trouser pattern to accommodate a fuller tummy and create a more flattering fit.

Continuing in the series of trouser pattern fitting, this topic covers how to make adjustments if you have a full or flat bottom. If you carry more weight around your bottom area then when you make your toile you may find that the back crotch seam is too tight and it may feel like the trousers are pulling across your hips. Conversely if you have a flatter bottom than the pattern was designed for you may find you end up with excess fabric at the top of the back thigh area and some looseness at the hip. To get a better fit for your particular shape a full or flat bottom adjustment can be really helpful. This video covers the steps to make that adjustment on a simple trouser pattern by adjusting the back pattern pieces.

Continuing the theme of adjustments for trouser patterns in this session we talk about adjustments that you can make if you have bigger thighs. We look at how to measure your thighs and compare that to the pattern measurement to work out what adjustment you might require, what the minimum ease is that will make woven trousers comfortable to wear and 3 different methods to adjust the thigh area depending on your particular body shape and requirements. For more videos like this subscribe to this channel and visit https://sewmuch morefun.co.uk. Thank you for watching!

This video is part of the Tuesday Techniques series on adjusting patterns to fit your fabulous body. In this session we focus on how to modify trouser patterns if you have a full or athletic calf and need a bit more room. If you find that when you make trousers there is more than usual wrinkling at the bottom of the back thigh near the knee then it could be that by making this adjustment you can improve how the lower leg of your trousers hang and also make it more comfortable. We go through step by step how to make this adjustment on a simple trouser back pattern but if you have a more complicated pattern and want some guidance then just get in touch. If you find this video helpful then please give it a thumbs up and remember to subscribe to this channel for more hints, tips and tutorials. Thank you so much for watching!