Before you buy a pattern, you need to take your measurements. You buy a pattern to fit those measurements. Do not buy a pattern to fit the size you wear when you shop in the store. They aren't the same. A good website for learning about pattern fitting is the one following. You can buy the software and print out your own patterns. Colleen

Here is a link that might be useful: Living Soft

It's not foolish failure, fitting is part of the learning process, and we have all have our share of too tight and waders along with wrong fabric choice for the pattern.

The tape measurer and making test garments from muslin for new patterns are your best friends. There is a difference between fitting ease, wearing ease, and finished garment lengths. I suspect that you started doing more advanced first instead of doing easy projects, like a simple skirt or top, and building skill up--we all started out that way.

If you don't have a good sewing text, you need one. It has fitting, sewing techniques including hand sewing, and many other technical aspects starting with how to read a pattern envelope. Loan a few from the public library, sit down, and start reading.

Simplicity has pretty good information. The link is below.

Here is a link that might be useful: fitting information

Also check into the community colleges/adult ed classes in your area.Ours have sewing classes from beginner to advanced.Don't give up,as the others have said the tape measure is your friend.Measure twice,cut once.There also may be some on line sewing classes.Good Luck and let us know how you do.
Kathi

The fitting books written by Babara Sykes have been very helpful for me. Fitting me has been hard for years. Try investing in a dress form. Get one you can manipulate to your size and measurements and fit the garment in that way.
You may also want to strike up a relationship with a local tailor or alterations specialist. Observing fittings and the associated work is a fabulous way to learn.

I have sewn for many differnet people & I have never sewn for an adult that was one size through out the garment. My adult daughter is about 5'11" & was tall as a child. I have never made her a garment without changing sleeve lengths, waist lengths, leg lengths & etc. You have to use that tape measure & determine what all your measurements are & compare that to the pattern. SewNews & Threads magazines frequently have fitting articles. Your library may have issues you could check out. I do find it easier to measure & sew for someone other than for me so it may be best to get someone else to measure you & fit your garment during construction. They have a tape measure now that has a buckle & snap where you slide it to the proper place & unsnap it to see the correct measurement. Sometimes it is awkward to measure yourself & try to bend to a position to see where the tape is without it slipping from the accurate spot.

Good luck.

Look in the back of the pattern magazines for "fitting patterns" ... if they still offer them, these are NOT wearable, they are for the purpose of figuring out where you need adjustments. After you get one that fits, you make the same changes to all patterns

1 - a friend to do the measuring

2 - a willingness to believe the tape and not buy patterns that aren't in your size (buy to fit the shoulder and neck area for tops ...

3 - a good book on fitting patterns, like the Vogue Sewing book ($5 in many thrift stores)

Use inexpensive material at first - avoid patterns for stretchy until you have figured out alterations.

I used to feel bad about this. One day a friend said to me, "If you're not throwing away some of the things you sew, you're not taking enough chances."

Now I can't afford, with the cost of good fabric, to throw a whole lot away. So I need to modify that philosophy some.

I wonder if part of the problem is the patterns you choose. Not your fault, but the easier patterns aren't very fitted. On anyone but the tall thin model photographed on the cover of the pattern, a lot of them have all the appeal of potato sacks. (Remember, we only see the front - how many clips and safety pins are holding the garment "just so," while the photo is taken?) You my be choosing these patterns because you're intimidated by more complicated ones. As your skill at following sewing instruction grows, you'll likely choose more complicated patterns, your garments will look better.

There are some things I just toss together. When I really care, I make a trial garment out of yard-sale fabric first, and make the adjustments there.

Carol, I'm going through exactly the same thing.

If you are making clothes that hang off you, I'll bet you've been buying patterns by your bust measurment, which is what they tell you to do. If you are a cup size B, then that will usually work. The big 4 pattern companies draft patterns for B cup.

If you have a larger cup size, you'll need to buy your pattern by your upper chest measurement. Why the pattern companies never explain this and why they don't actually USE this measurement is a mystery.

Put the tape measure around your chest, under your arms, and bring it around in front of you above your bust, across your upper chest. Let's say that measurement is 36 inches. Now measure across the fullest part of your bust. Let's say that measurement is 40 inches. The difference between your chest measurement (36) and your bust measurement (40) gives your your cup size, 1 inch for each cup size. In our example, that would be a D cup (A, B, C, D = 4 inches more than your chest measurement).

Now, look at your pattern and pick the size that says the bust measement is 36 inches. You'll have to make a Full Bust Adjustment (sometimes referred to as FBA) to add a bust dart or increase the size of the existing bust dart, but your pattern should fit you across the shoulders -- which is where I suspect your patterns are not fitting you now.

Take a look at the Pattern Review website. The meassage board discussions there get into very detailed advice and instructions on doing pattern adjustments.

You'll need to register (which costs nothing) to participate in the discussions. You can also pay a fee too take advantage of additional resources on the website. Online classes are offered through the Pattern Review website; there's an entire class on just FBA.

I've found so much information at Pattern Review that has been helpful to me.

CMC

Here is a link that might be useful: Pattern Review web site

If you want to make a long sleeve blouse for example, get a blouse you have that fits to your liking or take a tape measure to the store and find one. Measure across the back, front, length of sleeve, length of front etc. Transfer these measurements to the pattern. I do that and am very happy with the fit. Good luck, salena

Sandra Betzina has an excellent book "Fast Fit" that addresses many different fitting issues. Great instructions and pics as well.