Shirt Fitting: Lengthen the Center Back without a Center Back Seam

[@angelajester3453]

Thank you so much for clear instructions.

[@JSternDesigns]

You are welcome! Thanks for fitting along with me

[@atrinka1]

my partner has a swimmer's rounded back and broad shoulders, this solves the problem, thank you!

[@JSternDesigns]

So happy to hear! Thanks for fitting along with me

[@JG-fl2ph]

FANTASTIC. I’m so grateful for your clear instructions. Excellent teaching. Watching your videos has made realize what needs tweaking in my patterns. This is mind blowing. Exactly what I was searching for. Thanks again.

[@JSternDesigns]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks so much for fitting along with me

[@momzilla9491]

Hi J, I missed Tuesday so here is my share for a happy Wednesday. First off I will say that ready made clothing always gaps at the back neck, usually 1" and sometimes even more. The fit is terrible because I have a D cup. I do not have a hump but do have a good curve to my back neck, maybe that is the problem? Whiplash as a child! Anyways, I found a treasure of a lesson for those who have already sown their mock-up and I love, love, love it! Could you, would you please, please, please do a follow up on this lesson? It's the custom magic!!! XOX "Connie Crawford - Custom Fitting & Trueing"

[@JSternDesigns]

So sorry to hear about the Whiplash... If you have a curve in your upper back, this adjustment will help bring the neckline up to the base of your neck. Connie is a treasure trove of fitting knowledge!! If there is a link to her tutorial and you want to share it here, you are very welcome to!!

[@momzilla9491]

@@JSternDesigns This is Connie's YT video! The adjustment she shows is amazing! "Connie Crawford - Custom Fitting & Trueing" I don't have a hump, but I think my head is just a little bit forward due to that whiplash and then computer work while I age. All I know is I can pinch an inch or more at the back neck on all my clothes. It makes the back of any bodice sloppy. I've been blaming the shoulder slope, but now I'm wondering if that is correct? I keep thinking back to the lesson you gave us several years ago on how you petited your Mom's shirts and all the flat patterning adjustments for the upper back. Jennifer, could you please watch her video and expand on the lesson. It is a marvel to see how she added material to the already made slopper... This is just so exciting!!! Thanks Sweetheart!

[@GrandmaJoy1]

Thank you for showing this technique. It makes more sense to me than some of the other methods I have seen. I did not want to add a center back seam.

[@JSternDesigns]

So happy to hear! Thank you for fitting along with me!

[@ninadukette3340]

My sentiments exactly.

[@sherrislaven5425]

Very good instruction. I love how simple you make this and with so few tools. I will implement this in the future. Thank you for spending your time with us.

[@JSternDesigns]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you for fitting along with me

[@MargaretMitchell-ob8lb]

Wonderful clear explanations and demonstration. Thank you.

[@JSternDesigns]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for fitting along with me

[@janicek6399]

Just what I needed today😃

[@JSternDesigns]

I'm so happy this helps you! Thanks for fitting along with me

[@gabrielamendiola2765]

Thank you so much. This answer to my question how to improve the back of my patter to suit me better. Many thanks.

[@JSternDesigns]

Happy to help!

[@carolyndefoe38]

Brilliant !

[@JSternDesigns]

Thanks! ...and thank you for fitting along me it.

[@joyceeustace4235]

Fantastic none of my tops have centre seams but I do have a round back Thank you very very much.

[@JSternDesigns]

Happy to hear! Thanks for fitting along with me

[@anitamcdonald6389]

Should you do a narrow shoulder adjustment before or after this adjustment?

[@JSternDesigns]

This adjustment is independent of a narrow shoulder adjustment... so you can do them in any order you would like to! Thanks for fitting along with me

[@kathiethompson6719]

Thank you for this video! I also have a low-round back and actually need to add 4" to my back waist length. I add a CB seam to woven blouses, but I need to add the same length for knits/t-shirt patterns and don't want a CB seam in my knits. I knew a Stretch & Sew owner who added a lot to her husband's knit polo shirts without adding a back seam. At the time, I didn't need to do that, but it impressed me. How do I do that to my patterns now? I suspect that I have to slash and spread, adding length along the CB as you did for the high round, but what else do I need to know/do? Thank you!

[@JSternDesigns]

My Pleasure! If you need to add 4", try spreading the total across a few slash lines. This tutorial shows how to take out a significant amount of length... Follow this tutorial... Spreading the pieces vs. overlapping them. Hope this helps, thanks for fitting along with me kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpi5iKiKi7uisLs

[@viddy8379]

Thankyou for the tutorial. Can I add 1.5” like this?

[@JSternDesigns]

Yes, try spreading it that much. If it skews the pieces too much to easily re establish the original edges that need to be put back, split it in half and spread 3/4”… then true everything up and do the adjustment a second time (that ‘s how I accomplish a large FBA adjustment)

[@charity.cunningham8313]

Could you use this same technique in reverse to remove length for a sway back adjustment? If so, will you create a video to demonstrate the change for this adjustment, please?

[@JSternDesigns]

It's a similar technique... Here's a tutorial... Let me know if this helps! Thanks Jen kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJnFpZiDhsulkKs

[@margarethrampazzi5454]

Thank you very much for this tutorial! Can I use this method to alter a pattern for protouding shoulder blades? Have a nice day

[@JSternDesigns]

Protruding shoulder blades also require extra length, so this adjustment can help... you may also need more width along the upper back to add ease too.

[@Joy4650B]

Hi Jennifer! My husband has a very round high back and neck. Can a man's tee shirt have a center back seam? I know it CAN, but would it be tacky?

[@JSternDesigns]

No it's definitely not tacky! (Especially if you need a shaped CB seam to make the fabric hang properly!! I say go for it

[@margarethrampazzi5454]

Sorry, I have another question: how do you alter a pattern for a rounded back on a shirt/blouse with back yoke? Thank you.

[@JSternDesigns]

You can use this method to slash and spread the back yoke :)

[@lizettelange]

Thank you very much for this very helpful tutorial.. 1 question, the amount you add to the back bodice, must you take that of the shoulders of the front bodice pattern?

[@JSternDesigns]

No need... You're adding length to the back so the back shoulder seam doesn't pull on the front shoulder seam... Thanks for fitting along with me

[@sheilas8876]

I’ve just found your wonderful videos. I have a couple of questions re adding to back length on a fold - I have very rounded upper back so what is the most I can add in this adjustment to a whole back pattern or one with a yoke? Thank you

[@JSternDesigns]

So happy you found me. ...The amount you can add really depends on the size you're working with, you can get away with adding more in larger sizes. But if you have a very curved upper back, I would recommend adding a CB seam and slashing and spreading the CB edge using 4 slash lines that are positioned evenly spaced along the back where your curve is. That will create more shape to fit your body. Hope this helps, Thanks for following along with me Here's a tutorial showing how to do that. kzbin.info/www/bejne/kGjQZnuAg9F9h9E

[@sheilas8876]

Thank you so much. I’ll follow up. Best wishes from uk

[@cindycoven1]

I know you did this video about a month ago. But I just saw it and I have a question. If your blouse or T-shirt doesn’t have a seam down the back do you just put a seam in it? Some people on KZbin say add the scene other people say don’t add the scene. Another question I have and I’m sorry to have so many questions. The question is do you measure the length of the high rounded back as far as how like at the base of your neck to the end of the round? Thank you and I’ll totally understand if you don’t reply.

[@JSternDesigns]

:) Those are great questions! Determine the amount you need to add to the CB by measuring how much you need to get the CB neckline to sit at the base of your neck. This tutorial shows how to adjust a pattern that does not have a center back seam... I think there is a limit to the amount you can add to the CB without a seam... Here's another that tutorial shows how to do a high round back adjustment with a CB seam. This option allows you to add as much as you need and create a curve in the CB seam so the shape agrees (vs stretching a straight piece of fabric over a curve). kzbin.info/www/bejne/kGjQZnuAg9F9h9E Hope this helps! Thanks for fitting along with me