Comments on: Recognizing Excellent Fit with the Untrained Eye

By: The Biggest Mistake Costumers Make – Historical Sewing

The Biggest Mistake Costumers Make – Historical Sewing — Thu, 30 Sep 2021 23:07:03 +0000

[…] think “perfect” fit is so elusive for us because we have our minds set on the fabulous photographs or museum mannequins […]

By: Bustle Era Changes – The Highs & Lows in the 1870s & 1880s – Historical Sewing

Fri, 01 May 2020 01:58:20 +0000

[…] was especially noticeable on these dresses. The fit was very fine. The fabrics were high-end wool, and satins –many times combined. Necklines were high to the neck. […]

By: Fitting Guidelines for Flattering Victorian Costumes

Fitting Guidelines for Flattering Victorian Costumes — Fri, 08 Jan 2016 06:36:50 +0000

[…] I’ll admit that after sewing and fitting for a while you can begin to recognize good fit on yourself and others too. But even “good fit” isn’t […]

By: Jennifer Rosbrugh

Jennifer Rosbrugh — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 03:42:00 +0000

In reply to Holly Champion.

You definitely want to be careful of over-fitting! And it can happen to any figure type. And any figure – be it ample or slender – can have a multitude of fitting issues. It’s about looking at where the fabric is pulling or twisting and opening it up or pinning to fit over the curves of the body. I myself have a high right hip but I don’t always allow for that in my fitting. But if one’s flaws effect their confidence when wearing a particular garment then yes, they would want to compensate for the flaw in such a manner to be more pleasing to them. I think we see our flaws personally with a much more critical eye than how others see us.

By: Holly Champion

Holly Champion — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 21:19:57 +0000

Wouldn’t it make sense just to make a full cast of your own torso and use that as your dress dummy? Wouldn’t that make fitting so much easier?
Of course you’d have to have several different ones with different corsets on for different eras 😉
Also, it’s all very well to achieve a perfect Victorian silhouette when you have the ample bosom and tiny waist like Merja. But fitting a less ideal figure is more of a challenge I think. I would argue that when fitting an asymmetrical body (like mine) you need to be careful not to OVER-fit; you want to camouflage flaws, not highlight them. What do you think?

By: Jennifer Rosbrugh

Jennifer Rosbrugh — Sun, 08 Sep 2013 19:55:38 +0000

In reply to Angie. You are welcome Angie. So glad you're back to sewing. May you continue to heal from your injuries (both physically and emotionally). Happy to have you in our community here!

By: Angie

Angie — Sun, 08 Sep 2013 18:49:08 +0000

Thank you so much for your sharing on this site – it has helped me tremendously. I’ve gone from being a Cavalry reenactor to being a camp wench (er, the guys tell me “aide de camp” sounds better) due to a terrible car wreck last December (is talking on your cell phone while catapulting 70mph down the interstate worth it? No, as someone who has been rear-ended by such a person, no, it is not), and creating a corset, instead of wrapping my breasts with ACE bandages, and wearing skirts (watch out for those campfire edges!) has been a learning experience.

I have been sewing for a long time, and I was having issues with all the gatherings at the waist. My waist went from 26 inches to 35 just with the hoop, petticoat and pantalet layers. A yoke will certainly solve all of that!! I was in a hurry and due to the accident cannot sit at the machine for long periods, so I just folded over the top and made drawstrings on everything. Yep, that didn’t work so well.

Your instructions are clear and your style of writing is very enjoyable, and I thank you again for sharing your knowledge with the rest of us!

By: Amy mayen

Amy mayen — Tue, 02 Jul 2013 19:27:25 +0000

Excellent post! I interned at a historical costume shop 10 years ago and loved it! Now I’d like to get back into it but there’s a lot I need to research first. It’s much easier as an intern!