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FITTINGwith Kenneth D. King

SMART

Couture designer Kenneth D. King demonstrates his unique fi tting method of net gain, net loss, and no-net change. Everyone can benefi t from his versatile techniques and master them because they are:

logical and straightforward

easily applied to any garment

so simple anyone can do it

Learn Smart Fitting from Kenneth D. King, who is also a professor at New Yorks Fashion Institute of Technology, and do it at your own pace, in your own home, and review any part at any time. Now professional instructioncan be yours at a fraction of the cost.

This new video series introduces his foolproof way to fi t any garment.

presents... a revolutionary approach to fitting

A terrific value! The complete lesson-packed series is yours for ONLY $149.95

3 DVDs PLUS ALL THESE EXTRAS 4 bonus articles Extra sidebars with Prof. King Behind-the-scenes interview Expert tips, tricks, and secrets And so much more

To order call toll free 800-888-8286Use code: MF800112Or go online: ThreadsMagazine.com/SMART

Item Number: 031038

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FeaturesG O O D M E A S U R E S

14 Measure It Right Precise and accurate measurements yield

a better-fi tting garment B Y B A R B A R A E M O D I

20 Measuring and Marking Notions Tools that help you fi t and fi nish garments B Y M A R Y R O E H R

26 Does Your Pattern Fit? Before cutting, check your patterns

measurements against your own B Y B A R B A R A E M O D I

31 Fit for Everyone Sew removable covers to make your dress form

work for multiple fi gures B Y K E N N E T H D . K I N G

F I T S T R AT E G I E S

38 Muslin Refined A couture method leads to exquisite garments B Y S U S A N K H A L J E

44 Smart Fitting A simple way to assess and solve your fi t challenges B Y K E N N E T H D . K I N G

51 Fine-tune the Tissue To audition your pattern, pin it together and try it on B Y M A R C Y T I L T O N

56 The Best Custom Pants Dont alter somebody elses patterndraft your own B Y C L A U D E T T E G R A N T

S P R I N G 2 0 1 3

31Adaptable dress form

FeaturesS P R I N G 2 0 1 3

THE BEST OF

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F O C U S E D F I T T I N G

64 Start at the Shoulders Your shoulder slope a ects the fi t of every outfi t,

so alter patterns to match your body B Y J U D I T H N E U K A M A N D C A R O L F R E S I A

70 Get the Right Armhole Use a muslin to adjust bust, back, and shoulder

and your armhole almost takes care of itself B Y S A R A H V E B L E N

76 The Perfect Sleeve Start with two simple measurements

and correct the sleeve cap B Y S A R A H V E B L E N

82 Add a Bust Dart This adjustment for a full bust dart

fl atters the entire silhouette B Y L O U I S E C U T T I N G

86 Full & Fabulous How to accommodate a large midsection B Y K A T H L E E N C H E E T H A M

92 Scale It Down Fitting petite fi gures requires more than

a size change B Y K A T H L E E N C H E E T H A M

t h r e a d s m a g a z i n e . c o m

DepartmentsEDITORS NOTE 6Q & A 8THREADSMAGAZINE.COM 10

86space for a midsection

56draft

a pants pattern

38perfecting the muslin

64shoulder

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TABLET EDITIONS FREE TO SUBSCRIBERSThreads new digital editions are the same inspirational, informative issues you love, but searchable and full of interactive extras like 360-degree garment views, videos, and photo galleries. Download the app at ThreadsMagazine.com/apps. Access is free with a print subscription or Threads Insider online membership.

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wed loveto hear

from you!Send your letters to:

Threads LettersPO Box 5506

Newtown, CT 06470-5506or via email

ThreadsLetters@taunton.com

*

Phot

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EDITORS NOTE

Deana Tierney MayEditor

Sewing perfection is a garment that fi ts

Ask garment sewers why they make their own clothes, and a great fi t is inevitably a part of their answer. None of us is a standard size

and vive la di rence! Our variety of beautiful shapes means that getting a good fi t from an o -the-rack garment or an out-of-the-package pattern is not a reality for most. However, with knowledge about how to sew for fi t, you can create garments that make you look and feel spectacular.

To help you do that, this issue brings together some of the best fitting articles from Threads 27-year his-tory, written by renowned fitting experts. Whether youre new to garment fitting or you want to tackle a particularly challenging problem, youll find answers on the following pages.

Get started by taking good measurements and dis-covering the best tools for the job. Learn how to iden-tify and solve fitting issues. (Youll see that theres often more than one way to fix a problem.) Make a muslin to experiment freely, and learn what methods work best for you. Or, draft a pattern directly to your measurements, eliminating a lot of fitting adjust-ments right off the bat. Finally, learn how to fine-tune the fit on the areas that need adjusting. We cover shoulders, armholes, sleeves, bust, waist, how to scale down a pattern, and more.

With this issue in hand, you can create and sew gar-ments that fit like a dream in no time!

Happy sewing and happy fitting!Deana Tierney May

Editor For more fi tting

advice:Threads magazine

(ThreadsMagazine.com) covers garment fi tting regularly. Also look for

our popular fi tting books and DVDs available at

TauntonStore.com/sewing-crafts.html

Write an article for Threads reads is a reader-written magazine, and we welcome your submissions. To learn how to propose an article, go to taunton.com/threads/pages/th_authorguidelines.asp.

From the Publisher of

Editor Deana Tierney May

Art Director Rosann Berry

Senior Technical Editor Judith Neukam

Special Issues Carol Fresia Technical Editor

Senior Editor Sarah McFarland

Associate Editor Stephani L. Miller

Central Sta Editor Sarah Opdahl

Senior Copy/ Jeannine Clegg Production Editor

Assistant Art Director Gloria Melfi

Administrative April Mohr Assistant

Contributing Editors Louise CuttingSusan KhaljeKenneth D. KingMary Ray

Seamstress Norma Bucko

Interns Courtney Campbell Emily BerubeDana Finkle

Executive Editor, Books Shawna Mullen

ThreadsMagazine.com

Executive Web Producer Victoria North

Web Producer Evamarie Gomez

Tauntons SewStylish: (ISSN: 1935-8482) is published by The Taunton Press, Inc., Newtown, CT 06470-5506. Telephone 203-426-

8171. Canadian GST paid registration #123210981.

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