The lower half of the body dictates a lot of what we need on the upper half. For a more successful fit, start with skirts. Get the lower body fit and then move to the upper body.

Have you found out that you have one hip larger than the other? This is not uncommon. You may be adding extra fabric for that larger side.

However, the larger hip fit does not stop with skirts and pants. It also applies to all of your longer tops, blouses, shirts, jackets and coats. In other words, you need to add for that larger hip on everything that comes close to your body and goes over your hips. Don't forget to do that!

A balanced alteration at both side seams for a full hip width alteration doesn't work with unbalanced hips (one larger than the other). You may be adding width to both sides (the balanced alteration) plus adding more width to accommodate the larger side (unbalanced alteration). You must alter longer tops and jackets, etc. the same way as your skirts and pants.

If you have a full tummy, or a full bust, you also need to add more to the front of your shirt or jacket than the back. A balanced alteration for full width can't help that either. Think of the "beer bellied" guy or the pregnant gal. They simply need more fabric in the front.

To have a shirt or jacket hang properly on your body, you need to know where you need more or less fabric. Find out exactly what you need and where you need it. Apply that to your sewing pattern.

It looks funny, you say? Look in the mirror! Does the altered pattern better reflect what you see in the mirror? Go with it! Accept it! And, you will see a Misfit become Miss Fit.

It just makes sense!

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

- by Marian Lewis