Sewing: Pattern Fit
Learn to adjust any pattern for a perfect fit using hands-on tissue fitting techniques. In this workshop, we minimise measuring—because measurements alone don’t reveal everything about your body. Discover your true size and start with the correct pattern. You'll focus on bodice and skirt alterations using Palmer/Pletsch fitting methods with McCalls pattern 7279 or 2718. After making adjustments to the basic pattern, you'll leave with a personal body map and the skills to modify any fashion pattern of your choice. Participants are encouraged to tissue fit and alter additional dress patterns.
(Additional costs for materials).
Target Audience:
This class is best suited for those who have basic sewing skills.
Things to bring along:
• Please wear comfortable, easy to change out of clothes and a well fitting bra. You may like to wear/ bring a camisole and leggings or tights to wear during fitting.
• A box of fine, large head pins in a magnetic pincushion
• Tape measure
• Soft lead pencil
• Red and green fine felt tip pens
• Two rolls of 12mm Scotch brand magic transparent tape
• Weighted table tape dispenser
• Paper scissors
• Gridded plastic ruler (eg quilters), plastic ruler or dressmakers square
• 6mm elastic to tie around your waist
• Note pad and pen
• Palmer/Pletsch or similar gridded pattern tissue (from Lincraft, Spotlight or online) or white gift wrap tissue. Greaseproof paper is too stiff.
• Mc Calls pattern 7279 (multi size) or 2718 in your size (a course requirement)
• Butterick 5627 is an alternative if the above patterns aren’t available.
• Additional dress or bodice/skirt patterns to tissue fit.
• Calico or plain, cheap, woven fabric to do a fabric fitting shell. Yardage required is listed under Dress (fitting shell) on the back of the pattern envelope.
• Optional book “Fit for Real People” by Pati Palmer and Marta Alto. This is a useful reference book and is available from http://www.mccalls.com.au, http://www.bookdepository.co.uk, http://www.palmerpletsch.com and http://www.booktopia.com.au You may also find it at Spotlight and Lincraft.
• A basic sewing kit (scissors, reel of thread, unpicker etc ) is also required.
While the college does have sewing machines available, you may wish to bring your own to use.
Determining Pattern Size
Measure around your bust (around the fullest part of the bust and straight across the back) and your chest (directly under the arms straight across the back and above the bust). Select the pattern size according to your bust measurement. If there is more than 5cm difference between your bust and chest measurement, use your chest measurement as your bust measurement.
SIZE 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26
Bust 75 78 80 83 87 92 97 102 107 112 117 122
The pattern can be purchased at Spotlight or Lincraft (it may need to be ordered) or online from http://www.sewing-patterns.com or http://www.mccalls.com (pattern tissue can also be purchased on these sites).
If you are unsure of your pattern size, or have difficulty purchasing the pattern, please contact the College.
Learning Outcomes:
- By the conclusion of the course, students will be able to fit themselves in any dress, skirt and blouse pattern, perform common alterations to the pattern and then fit and sew a garment in fabric.
Learning Methods:
?Dates for this class will be available in December for Term 1 2026.
Program Benefits:
- Create custom fits from patterns
- Learn to perform alterations for patterns
- Create a tissue fit, or fitting shell, to create customised fits for your own body
Content:
- Preparing patterns for fitting
- Adjusting patterns for a perfect fit
- Using tissue fitting to draft
- Constructing a fitting shell or variations on garment pattern
- Sewing and finishing a perfectly fitted piece