Thursday, January 14, 2010

Tissue-Fitting Vlog, Part One!



Hello, all! And welcome to my new vlog mini-series on tissue-fitting a pattern. In this first part, I prep the pattern for the fitting. The pattern I'm demonstrating with is Vogue 8615, a contemporary pattern with a very 50s feel.

Some of you pointed out that the way Blogger formats videos makes it impossible to watch on a mobile device, so I've uploaded this one onto YouTube (even though I'm convinced it's a savage internet wasteland where people make mean and inappropriate comments). We'll see how it goes!

35 comments:

  1. Love this! I was hoping you would keep doing your vlogs :) I'd never thought to draw in the seam allowances and then measure the pieces. Makes so much sense!

    ReplyDelete
  2. So glad you posted this! I just bought that exact same pattern. ^_^ I can't wait to see your version.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Gertie,

    I just found your blog a couple of days ago, and I must say, it’s a true inspiration! I agree with the previous writer, I do hope you keep up with your vlogs. I’m happy to see that so many people are writing comments here. Being a home seamstress can be quite lonely, but reading your blog makes one feel like being part of a whole community of seamstresses =)
    Keep up the good work everyone!
    Sara, Sweden

    ReplyDelete
  4. great vlog I would rip the tissue so easy... hahah but interesting. better to do that then cut into expensive fabric.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Very helpful (and I have that pattern too!) I can't wait for the next video.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm so excited about this new series! I bought the book Fit For Real People but, I have been feeling intimidated. I'm so glad that I can actually see you do this.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks for doing these, its so helpful.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I am excited about this series of vlogs because this is an area where I need to learn more about. Thanks so much.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Love the vlog, I've never tried tissue fitting and am looking forward to your next installment!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thank you so much for sharing this - it's so generous of you! I am a rank beginner at sewing, and getting a pattern to fit my measurements is one of the things that intimidates me most about the whole process. I also love this pattern... you've inspired me to give it a go! Can't wait to see your next vlog (though I can't help but think that sounds like a Russian word for gherkin, as in, "Would you like another vlog with your borscht, Vlad?").

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thank you SO much for this!
    + The pattern you chose is great.
    K

    ReplyDelete
  12. I have to say I am anti tissue fitting. It wont give you a true feel for the fit. Making a muslin is the way to go. I know, I know. I hated making muslins in my younger days too. I have spent countless years sewing without making muslins and have had mixed feelings on the final garment. Some hits some misses and somewhere in between. When you are putting all your time and hard work into making something it's worth the extra time. I wouldn't think of sewing anything without making a muslin first

    ReplyDelete
  13. I've never tried tissue fitting before! This is probably because the majority of my patterns are bought from sewingpatterns.com or burdastyle, therefore they're not printed onto tissue... though from this first blog that wouldn't make a massive difference, I'll see what happens later on :)

    I just bought a vintage reissue Butterick pattern, so perhaps I could do a tissue fitting with that, as I'm a little nervous about it due to my using some gorgeous fabric, so I don't want to get it wrong!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I'm interested to see how this goes, but I'm in Kathi G's camp right now - muslin all the way!

    Being on the shorter side of life I have to do a lot of proportional alterations to patterns, particularly in the bodices - that would be A LOT of messing around with the tissue!

    However, I'm keeping an open mind and looking forward to the other segments of this series!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hey guys! Just wanted to comment quickly on the muslin vs. tissue-fitting thing. I actually think both techniques have their place at times, and it doesn't have to be an either/or thing. (There's always more than one way to do something in sewing!) In this case, I chose tissue-fitting because the lines of this pattern are very simple and I already had an idea of what alterations I might need. You'll notice that I did make a muslin for my coat, because that was an entirely different situation. And even if you do make a muslin, it can be helpful to do a tissue-fitting first so you can get a preliminary idea of what changes you might need.

    I personally like to have an arsenal of techniques at hand when sewing - not just one!

    Allison, that's a great book and it will help you a lot with tissue-fitting.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Gertie, you're a mind reader! I've been wondering how to do this forever. Really looking forward to the rest of this series!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I'm at work and I couldn't put the sound on the video and am busting to hear it. I can't wait to go home so I can listen to it.

    Thanks for posting this.

    ~Sewjourner

    ReplyDelete
  18. I am only just getting back into garment sewing (for myself), and never worried about fit before other than some basic measure myself, measure the pattern kinds of things. I've got some projects coming up (and a lumpier body) that I think making a muslin or try tissue fitting will be a must.

    Thanks for educating us all!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi Gertie,

    Great choice for a vlog, I'm glad you are going to continue them. I often do tissue fitting only and sometimes only make a muslin, for two reasons: first, I now know enough about the changes I *normally* need to make that in a sense I can just confirm them with a tissue-fit (at the beginning, though, it gave me a lot of information); second, muslin acts differently than fashion fabric, so it's not always accurate either - often I may simply add larger seam allowances if I'm concerned about a particular area.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I'm enjoying your vlog - it's great to see someone actuallly do a tissue fitting. I have FFRP but sometimes it doesn't make sense. For blouses - I have to do both - tissue and muslin (yuck!) - for pants and skirts I can normally just go with tissue fitting (I'm so straight on the bottom).

    Thanks again!! I'm a big fan!!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I can't tell you how helpful this is! Thank you thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  22. This is great, your descriptions are quite clear, I love your pacing, thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  23. I agree, depending on the pattern--a tissue fitting works rather than going through muslin making process. No matter what, I start with flat measurements minus seam allowances. I was taught this way so it has stuck with me. I have to say this never has failed me. I know my measurements and the ease I like in my garments so this is a strong place to begin.
    A product which I have been using is the red dot pattern paper (I don't know the proper name of the product!) it is not a paper yet not a fabric. I trace the pattern on it and I can actually sew the seams with a baste stitch. I love it because it is durable. A mix between tissue fitting and muslin making.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I loved your coat vlogs and I really like the idea of this series since I always have fitting problems! Keep up the good work ^^
    Anna, Italy

    ReplyDelete
  25. Thanks for the great video. It was well done and very interesting!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Love the new Vlog Gertie...this is wonderful. I sew for my little one, mom, niece & nephew but never for me. I have 3 patterns bought for me and I'm fixing to go for it with a simple skirt. I am on the bigger side of life so I'm always scared....but I plan on doing a tissue fit and if I don't feel comfortable, then I'm going for the muslim too....Being bigger it takes more fabric...and I do not want to mess up a couple yards of fabric...thanks for starting this. Can't wait to see the next one.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Hi Gertie - another great video series -thank you! (and just to say I love the www.blogforbettersewing.com styling at the end! Nice touch -Gorgeous!)
    I just had a quick question. Could you say a little more on the muslin v tissue issue? I am a new sewist and definitely like the idea of tissue fitting for speed over muslin! But what would make you decide to do one rather than the other except being lazy like me?! (I'm not saying you are being lazy, just that I am!)
    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Thanks Gertie, I already know this is going to be such a time saver!
    Really looking forward to seeing the next couple of vlogs!
    P.S. I really enjoy reading your blog - keep up the good work!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Wow. This is so incredibly helpful, thanks for taking the time to put this together and for sharing your knowledge!

    ReplyDelete
  30. You are my hero for this series. Thank you so much.

    If I may ask a question, and you feel like answering I was wondering if you would mind explaining what elements make something "a well-drafted pattern." As a beginner, I imagine that I I think I know what you mean by that, but I think I probable don't really know. You know?

    Thanks again!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Thanks so much - I have a couple of drafted-from-instructions patterns that I've been scared to make up; I'll give this a go and see what they look like :)

    I agree with you about Youtube, though, but there's an alternative - www.vimeo.com is much friendlier.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Wow our measurements are similar! Now I can see what you sew and know what patterns will be flattering on me without anxiety! : )

    ReplyDelete
  33. Great vlog! I can sew, but making the pattern fit my body is a challenge. I am thrilled to find some help with this!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Thank youuuuu! I understood more by watching you then when I try to figure out the pattern just by reading the instructions! Can't wait for the next vlog.

    ReplyDelete
  35. I wanted to simply say I love your blog it is so informative I finally understand the concept of tissue fitting and why in the world I should always measure my patterns! Thanks

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for your comments; I read each and every one! xo Gertie

© Gertie's Blog For Better Sewing. Powered by Cake