Tutorial: How To Do An FBA On S8875

Its time for another tutorial! Today I’m showing how I do an FBA on an empire waist dress!
What I’m wearing:
Retired Itch to Stitch Idyllwild Top
Sew House 7 Burnside Bibs: Burnside Bibs Sewing Pattern (PDF Pattern) - Sew House Seven (sewhouse7.com)
Lipstick:
MAC Lustre Lipstick in See Sheer: Lustre Lipstick - Sheer Lipstick | MAC Cosmetics - Official Site | MAC Cosmetics - Official Site
S8875: Simplicity Sewing Pattern S8875 Misses' Dresses
Fabric is from Minerva (affiliate): tidd.ly/3vFvwa6
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[@kerfuffle9312]

This has been soooooo helpful! Beginner sewer here,,,late to the game (63 yrs. young🤪)…I have a vintage pattern very similar to this and it has come back in style. Oddly shaped but definitely need the FBA (bust 42”) Your demonstration and explanation has given me the confidence to do this! Thank you so much. Love your channel and value your informative content…Thank you 🤗🇨🇦

[@TomKatStitchery]

You are so welcome and I'm glad you caught the sewing bug!

[@idacarrasquillo4028]

Exactly what I needed to figure out how to do.🎉

[@TomKatStitchery]

I'm glad it helped!

[@chrisbutler2097]

Have never done a FBA before but I'm so glad I saw other sewers recommendations to watch your video. Seems that many of us carry our weight in the same places so this has been essential watching prior to cutting out my pattern and fabric. A million thanks.

[@TomKatStitchery]

I'm so glad it was helpful!

[@Olivia-ko6mi]

Great tutorial and beautiful dress!!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thanks so much 😊

[@lindamiller283]

Dress looks really nice on you.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you!

[@donnastiles2518]

After watching you for awhile I'm finally understanding my fit issues. I have done a full bust adjustment but I usually redraw the armscye. After watching today I realize that I need that crazy arm hole to eliminate the fold. Eureka moment. Thanks for channel.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Oh good! I love Eureka moments!

[@dianneandres3770]

Thank you so much Whitney! This is so helpful. You are such a good teacher. The dress is adorable and so attractive on you!

[@TomKatStitchery]

I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

[@diannasills217]

I love it. Beautiful fabric. Looks like it fits you perfectly. Take care

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you!

[@paprikajones1]

OMG I am so glad I found your channel! We are built almost EXACTLY alike, height, measurements, how we carry extra weight (Yay) so your alterations and clear instructions are very much appreciated. I’ve taken time off from sewing because I got so frustrated with fitting issues I couldn’t figure out...it was really disheartening. I’m excited to start sewing again!

[@TomKatStitchery]

This makes me so happy!!!

[@SEWalke]

Me too!

[@marianita420]

I know this video is a year old but I saw it and followed your instructions yesterday. My very first time doing a full bust adjustment and it turned out great! I was making the exact dress you made on this video. Thank you so much !

[@TomKatStitchery]

I'm so glad it was helpful!!

[@donnaschindlbeck7457]

What a lovely dress you’ve created! Fit is just perfect! Thank you for sharing the FBA with us in such detail. ❤️

[@TomKatStitchery]

My pleasure!

[@christineennis4766]

That fits beautifully knowing your body and all the tricks makes all the difference.

[@TomKatStitchery]

It does!

[@deniseroot7105]

Love this on you!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you!!

[@phyllisstearnes7252]

I am so glad I found your site. I am very close to your build. I have not sewn clothing in a long time but am very frustrated with the ready to wear market and my size has changed since I used to sew clothing. Looking forward to following along with you in 2023. Thanks for these tutorials.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Welcome to the channel! I'm so glad you found me!

[@pennyhanson2598]

Thank you, Whitney for the tutorial - it really helps to understand the processes involved. The dress fits perfectly and looks lovely on you! Kind regards from Penny in Liverpool 🇬🇧😊💕

[@TomKatStitchery]

My pleasure!

[@loisg.6240]

I moved from my iPad to my desktop computer and sat back a bit, and the flickering did not bother me. Give this a try for those bothered by the light flicker. The content is great - well worth watching.

[@RoseDoes]

I tried it on my phone, IPad and Tv. Unfortunately, flickering didn’t improve much for me and I’m sensitive. I’ll definitely try my lap top next as this looks so informative.

[@TomKatStitchery]

I’m so sorry about the flickering! I’m not sure what was going on!

[@RoseDoes]

@@TomKatStitchery there may be a shutter speed/frame rate issue. Got to love filming. If it isn’t audio/video - it’s KZbin uploading glitches. 😂

[@claudiacampbell7276]

That New Look dress you showed is so attractive. It is most flattering on you, fits so well. Very good choice in pattern and fabric.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you!

[@mariontilton8494]

Love the dress on you. The adjustments were obviously perfect.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you!

[@monikawidensky8815]

These are my favorite videos. I am learning so much for my own adjustments. Thanks a lot!

[@TomKatStitchery]

I’m so glad!

[@salvationmanadom4900]

Thank you so much!!

[@TomKatStitchery]

My pleasure!

[@avrilbrown1408]

Thank you so much Whitney, this is so helpful and much appreciated - I can now get on with adjusting and cutting out this attractive dress pattern. The dress you made looks really good on you. Avril 🇬🇧

[@TomKatStitchery]

Oh good! I’m so glad it was helpful!

[@salliecook4202]

So, so cute and fits so nice. I am in process of moving so my sewing has come to a temporary halt. I will have to remember this tutorial when I am ready to get back to sewing. I also have narrow shoulders and full bust so this is very helpful. Love it.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Oh good!

[@ChriaraCass]

The 1” shoulder adjustment seemed like a massive change on the pattern piece but when you’re wearing the finished dress: it’s just right.

[@TomKatStitchery]

It definitely looks different when you make that narrow shoulder adjustment on the pattern, but it makes the top fit so much better!

[@dianekelsey8910]

Amazing dress on you. The FBA tutorial is so clever.

[@TomKatStitchery]

I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

[@norakathleenbertoglio4414]

Thank you Whitney! I love these tutorials... I think if I watch this video a couple of times, I can do it! I wanted to let you know I made the Seychelles top in a creamy-white linen. I shortened the top by 3” in length. Even though I am 5’6”, I think tops are more flattering if they hit right at my hipbones. (On me..)😇. Your dress really looks wonderful on you!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Isn’t that the best thing about sewing? I love being about to customize things not only to my body, but to my preferences as well!

[@janicek6399]

It's really a beautiful fabric and the fit is perfect. Gorgeous

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you so much!

[@libbybennett3067]

Love listerning to your fitting instructions

[@TomKatStitchery]

I’m so glad!

[@theresedurran5743]

Thank you for taking the time to show us this.

[@TomKatStitchery]

My pleasure!

[@jackienadler4648]

That dress looks amazing on you.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you!

[@lesleyayres2267]

love the dress it is so flattering.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you! It turned out well!

[@kathycasey9521]

Awesome! Thanks so much. I have the same issues: petite, narrow shoulders, larger bust. I could never figure out how to do the FBA for the empire bust line , so I quit trying. Can’t wait to give this method a try!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Oh good!

[@michelleyoung7364]

Great tutorial Whitney.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you!

[@kandacek63]

Love this dress. I’ve avoided empire waistlines because of that very thing, but I’ve always loved the style. I’m so doing this with a top. (I don’t wear dresses anymore, sad to say.) can’t wait to try it.

[@TomKatStitchery]

I'm so glad!

[@tammystack2208]

Thank ypu dor this! I've done an FBA three times to the same pattern and keep getting that funky armhole gap. This is going to help a lot!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Oh good!

[@peggyriordan9857]

The dress looks amazing on you and you will be getting so many compliments!! I still need to work on my full bust adjustments as sometimes it still comes out to small and sometimes it comes out to big!! Ugh..Thank goodness for muslins....Have a great day!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Muslins are a great tool, especially when learning!

[@cherenalee4957]

Thank you for this clear explanation and demonstration. I bypassed a sale pattern yesterday because of this bodice type. Those are 2 adjustments that I need. In my opinion, the Kofi Account is a great way to show some appreciation.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Oh good!

[@victoriahannah1633]

Cute dress & it looks so nice on you. Great tutorial also

[@TomKatStitchery]

I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

[@evalucilledixon3879]

Awesome instruction for FBA, relocation of dart, and adjustment for narrow shoulder (reset of armscye). Before making bodice adjustments, watch this video. Plain, simple, and no fear. Thank you, Whitney. ~ L

[@TomKatStitchery]

I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

[@kathleenbarron7654]

This just magic! It’s so interesting.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Oh good!

[@sandimichaels2324]

This is a very informative alterations. Thank you.

[@TomKatStitchery]

My pleasure!

[@talifalol]

Thank you for the lesson. Well taught:)

[@TomKatStitchery]

My pleasure!

[@claudianowakowski]

You got a great fit on this pattern.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you!

[@lindakrol5376]

The style of the dress is very flattering on you- Very pretty

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you!

[@sandypetersen6329]

Thank you so much for this tutorial!

[@TomKatStitchery]

My pleasure!

[@alexandrawellington8028]

Thank you so much for this tutorial 🧡

[@TomKatStitchery]

My pleasure!

[@jacquiehonnor4989]

I’ve made the same dress. I have very similar fitting issues to yourself. It took me a while to make the pattern fit my shape but I got there in the end. So wish I had seen your video before I made the dress. I believe your bust and shoulder adjustment would have been perfect for me. I’ve saved your video as it’s so helpful and I’ll have another look at adjusting the dress pattern for next time. It’s a shame the video has the light flickering. Hurts your eyes a bit to watch. Love your videos 😁

[@TomKatStitchery]

I am so sorry about the flickering. I do think I’ve figured out what happened so I won’t make that mistake in the future!

[@solefertilityreflexology4529]

Thanks for this ì could have has this 3 weeks ago! Doh! U know now for next time

[@TomKatStitchery]

😂 I’m glad it solved a problem!

[@252jdw1]

Thanks for this. Glad to have found your channel as I also always need to narrow shoulders, length (as same height as you ) and an FBA! I have just made a toile of the style arc belle and need to do something as the front bodice seam where it meets the waist yoke is across my bust. Do you think this method will work for that pattern?

[@TomKatStitchery]

I think this is pretty similar to the Belle. I haven't made the Belle, but from the line drawings, I would say they are similar!

[@PeteJustPete]

I'm hoping that I can apply these FBA tips (sideways) to a center gathered empire bodice 🤣

[@TomKatStitchery]

Are the gathers in the center front seam? If so, you can just rotate the side dart to the center front and sew that as gathers instead of the created dart!

[@kaygee8343]

Hey Whitney, saw the June cover of the Wawak catalogue! Read the interview as well. Pretty cool, chica!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you so much! It was so much fun to do that!

[@thebebejebus]

Love this! Any chance you can leave your measurements in the description of your videos? I’d find it helpful watching your videos.

[@TomKatStitchery]

That’s a great idea! I should just leave those in the description all the time!

[@kathleengradberg1918]

Beautiful dress! I'm not really sure I need a FBA because my measurements usually fit the size of the pattern. What I have found is in empire waisted patterns the sewing line is way too high. At my age, the chest has headed south. I made a empire waisted nightgown that had elastic along the seamline. Unfortunately the elastic hits me right in the middle of my bust. Thankfully it isn't tight. Would a FBA help with that or should I just add some length to the bottom of the bodice pattern piece?

[@TomKatStitchery]

I would just do a lengthen line at the apex and drop it the amount you need. You then need to remove that length below the seam so that your front and back side seams still match!

[@kathleengradberg1918]

@@TomKatStitchery Thanks for your advice! I will try that next time.

[@siamese35]

I don’t know what happened but the light is flickering terribly. I wasn’t able to watch.

[@lpatrick99]

I couldn’t watch either...the flickering was making me a bit nauseous. Darn!

[@loisg.6240]

Yes. Made my eyes hurt! I had to turn it off.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Oh no! I didn’t notice the flickering! I’ll keep an eye out for that in the future though! Thank you for letting me know!

[@alyssajennings8668]

Same! Very nauseating... I tried on both my phone and my computer :(

[@janettill8926]

Such a shame about the flickering, would have loved to be able to watch

[@mamahops]

I need help with a full bust adjustment on Newlook 6301. The pattern is a wrap dress, but it has a right and left side for the front of the dress. When I do the full bust adjustment the two front pieces do not go together. The pieces do not match, there is about 2 inches added to the sides that I can’t figure out how that happens or how to correct the problem. Please help . Maybe you can suggest another wrap dress pattern that maybe easier to adjust.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Hmm. I'm not sure why the FBA isn't working properly on this pattern. However, the Cashmerette Appleton dress is a knit wrap dress that includes cup sizes (no FBA needed) and it is fabulous! If you're wanting a mock wrap dress similar to the New Look pattern, Love Notions has the Willow Wrap dress that also includes a full bust option so no FBA required on that one either!

[@mamahops]

Hello, here I am again with a problem. I am making Simplicity 8875 and I have done the full bust adjustment. My problem is that I am 4’11 inches tall and I need to shorten the skirt but if I shorten the skirt at the waist line , will this shorten the back length from neck to waist. Do I also need to shorten the lower skirt too?

[@TomKatStitchery]

Wanda! I've been trying to respond to your emails. Your inbox appears to be full so they haven't gone through, but I wanted you to know that I have been trying to answer your question. I would shorten at the lower body as well as the ruffle. I would just split the difference and do half in the lower body and the other half in the ruffle to keep the proportions correct!

[@ladylouise1969]

Love the dress!! I do own that pattern-great inspiration!! I do narrow shoulder adjustments, but since I've gotten older, my shoulder seams pull toward the back-do I just a reversal of the "forward" shoulder adjustment?? Many thanks!! :+) Have a great Sunday! Hugs to Gidget!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Yes. Just move the shoulder seam forward a bit. That should help!

[@ladylouise1969]

Ok. Thank you!

[@spatch1000]

Triple threat on my shoulder: sloping shoulder, short shoulder and need round back adjustment. In which order do you do these adjustments?

[@TomKatStitchery]

I think I would do round back, sloping and then narrow shoulder.

[@anessaharris9947]

😀

[@TomKatStitchery]

❤️❤️❤️

[@cherylberry5982]

What if you have a large bust and it’s lower than the pattern allows?

[@TomKatStitchery]

I have a couple of tutorials on the channel showing you how to lower the apex of the pattern! It's a pretty easy adjustment!

[@dianemorrall2687]

So...just getting my head around your calculations for the FBA. You chose your size based on your high bust of 36". For size 14, the full bust is 39" so you had to do a FBA of 3" to cater for your full bust?

[@TomKatStitchery]

Yes. The suggested bust for the 14 is 36” (my high bust measurement) and the finished is 39”. I like at least 2” of ease at the bust and my full bust is around 40” so I needed to add 3” to get from 39” to 42”.

[@susank.wilson6436]

Can this shoulder adjustment be done on a drop shoulder?

[@TomKatStitchery]

That gets tricky because there’s no way of knowing where the actual shoulder point is located to do the adjustment.

[@deenachouhan]

Mem use white papper plz I want to learn india

[@TomKatStitchery]

Ok I will try