How to Do a Full Bust Adjustment (and When and Why)

[@curlyclaire2]

OMG, you have just solved 90% of my fit issues with all of the tops that I have ever made or bought. Subscribed.

[@ashleymainmakes]

I'm so glad! Thank you for subscribing! ❤️

[@kerfuffle9312]

I have tears, tears of joy….new to sewing here and do not have a so called standard shape. After taking my measurements over and over again, I do need an FBA, grading in and out and oh my goodness, I’ve been lost as to what order to do all these adjustments and how to read my mock ups! Your demonstration just made a light bulb go on in my brain and where I’ve been messing up. Thank you sooo much👏👏👍☺️🇨🇦…

[@ashleymainmakes]

Im so glad to hear that!! That makes it worth making these videos to me.

[@Ane_Rikke]

As a J-cup girl, I thank you for this explanation / guide, and straighten myself up to go DO it… 😅

[@ashleymainmakes]

Yes! It is so extremely helpful

[@MaireColclough]

Thank you so much for this walkthrough! There's SO much useful information, and you've broken it down really well 😃

[@ashleymainmakes]

Thank you! ❤️ I am so glad you think so!

[@sparklepug]

Thanks so much you have helped me to understand how to alter the vintage pattern I bought and traced. It is close to my size but I know I have lots of things to adjust.

[@charitystonemountain8714]

Technique good. But... droning, sing-song narration. I watch only.

[@ashleymainmakes]

​@sparklepug im glad to hear that!

[@stevezytveld6585]

Thank you so, so much for this video. - Cathy (&, accidently, Steve), Ottawa/Bytown/Pimisi

[@bondgirl129]

The algorithm just served up your channel to me, and I'm thrilled. Your explanations are so clear and practical! I really want to learn garment making but am very intimidated, and not being a "standard " size isn't helping. Thank you for giving yourself and your knowledge!!

[@ashleymainmakes]

Welcome! And thank you so much! Not to sound like an ad, but the other Cashmerette book, Sewing the Curve is great for getting started with a non-standard shape, cup sizes are already done for you which might give you a head start. They have it at most libraries too now.

[@sewstone2109]

Very informative. Thank you for sharing.

[@ashleymainmakes]

Glad it was helpful!

[@laraymayo2554]

Fantastic FBA video!!! I'm a G sewing cup with narrow shoulders. So looking forward to your future videos.

[@ashleymainmakes]

Wonderful!

[@gstra9577]

Thank you 1000000 million times! ❤❤❤

[@shauni191]

This was great, I always love seeing everyone's different methods and seeing what i can incorporate into my own sewing. Like the moving the inner dart over by 1/4" per size was amazing! I always just wing it and hope I go far enough since I have such a big bust adjustment to do but that's such a good rule of thumb to start with to not get cone boobs. Great vid as always and I can wait to see the finished dress!

[@ashleymainmakes]

Thank you! ❤️

[@MissingRaptor]

Thank you so much for this! I'm a plus size gal just learning to sew because I'm sick of nothing fitting me right. I've come to believe that I will likely have to make some of my own patterns because I'm having a hard time finding patterns in my measurements. This is going to be so useful for any adjustments I need to do 💖💖💖 I may even try looking for a pattern I like and adjusting it 😊

[@ashleymainmakes]

Thats probably a good plan! I do recommend starting with patterns in your size if you are a beginner. I feature lots of plus size companies on my channel. Cashmerette has a great plus size beginners book that I would highly recommend.

[@MissingRaptor]

@@ashleymainmakes thank you 💖 I'll have to take a look at those patterns 😊

[@RachelShadoan]

Thank you soooooo much, you’ve given me so much confidence to adjust things to work for my body!

[@ashleymainmakes]

I'm so glad! ❤️❤️

[@Klcnaus]

Here I was just cutting out a larger size. Thank you for this video, such a good deminstration

[@ashleymainmakes]

Glad it was helpful!

[@balbea88]

This information, and the purposeful way you present it; is exactly what I needed.That is why I greatly appreciate you, Ashley. Thank you so much.

[@ashleymainmakes]

Thank you! I am so glad to hear that ❤️

[@kfries1282]

Definitely saving this video to come back for reference later!

[@ashleymainmakes]

Excellent! Glad to hear!

[@nadiasews]

This is so good! Thank you!

[@ashleymainmakes]

Thank you! ❤️

[@dees4676]

Great video

[@ashleymainmakes]

Thanks!

[@elizabethhollingsworth7226]

Love your channel, but I have always been a member of the IBTC.😂😂

[@ashleymainmakes]

Totally fair! Well the cup size info works the same way for doing a small bust adjustment, but I just didnt want to muddy the waters

[@elizabethhollingsworth7226]

​@@ashleymainmakesThanks! I'll keep that in mind. 😊

[@violetadominguez6632]

How would you find the cup size of your pattern if there is no measuring chart. I'm working with some random blocks and can't find the measuring chart.

[@ashleymainmakes]

The easiest is to reach out to the pattern maker. You can try reverse engineering it, basically by taking the darts out and measuring the gap or comparing the darts to a pattern you have. Often, I find if it is not listed, it is usually a B cup. If the darts are on the small side that would probably be my guess

[@mariedyde448]

I can never get a definitive answer to " i need an fba , but i also have a short back, so how do i reconcile those differences". The fba lengthens ths front so because i have shortened ths back but lengthened the ftont, how do the side seams match up????

[@ashleymainmakes]

So when you do an fba like I am showing, it actually only lengthens the middle (you are actually bringing it down so it matches up when you have the new dart). So the side seams should remain the same length, you just have a bigger dart. Part of the purpose of the fba, is it should make the bodice an equal length all the way around when worn, so do that first and see where you are at. You might find you just need to use the lengthen shorten lines all the way around, or you could look into what is called a swayback adjustment. Definitely do a mockup.