Why Your Mock Up Doesn't Fit and How to Fix It | Vlogmas 2022

[@absinthemindedcat]

When dealing with pinning behind me or placing buttons i find hijab magnets are a great help. They are super strong and are easy to adjust until im happy and i can then use my chalk pen to mark placement.

[@RetroClaude]

That's a brilliant suggestion! Thank you 💚

[@barbaraferron7994]

Can you suggest a brand?

[@brittany45]

@@barbaraferron7994 Tichel-wearer here, just get the cheap ones from Amazon. There's not that much of a difference really.

[@rebeccacuthbertson1271]

This whole series on alterations and learning to fit a garment to yourself is insanely valuable. Thank you thank you thank you 💖

[@lisaku6886]

As a beginner I absolutely love the tips and tricks you gave here. No one really shows you how to fit yourself. I always ended up FaceTiming my mum for her to tell me what to do. As you can guess she is not always available and FaceTime quality is not the best for figuring out if 1cm is off or not 😂

[@FaerieDust]

Garment fitting is pure magic. A tiny tuck here, a miniscule alteration to a seam there, and suddenly you've gone from potato sack to haute couture. Definitely a useful video even though my body shape is quite dramatically different from yours - the principles are still the same, even if you can't cover every detail of what to do for my exact fit issues.

[@katherinemorelle7115]

This was indeed extremely useful. I've saved this to my sewing information playlist to have and come back to as needed. The suit is looking gorgeous already. Another lesson I need to take here is to spend the time to be a bit more precise with my mock-ups. It's worth that extra time and effort.

[@dianegordon4410]

Thank you so much for slogging on on those days when you're feeling Not energized! Watching the process of this project is fascinating and it's a plus to see one of your videos show up! Respect, Claude from Canada 👍😊🇨🇦

[@natalieclamp]

This was so so useful! Honestly even if our fitting issues aren't the same as yours, just seeing the process of fitting different garments is really interesting and helpful. Thank you!

[@natalie_makes_things]

Oh this video is so valuable! Don’t think I’ve had anyone go through fitting so clearly and concisely before! I’ve made toiles, then not know what was wrong, got vague suggestions that I don’t know how to implement! Got too overwhelmed and never got any further! (Coat patterns and fitted blouse patterns, I’m looking at you! Would definitely love to see more of these sorts of videos! You have such a good teaching style!

[@micktheflowerchick4880]

I can't wait to see how you transfer your fittings to the paper pattern, that will be so so helpful!

[@Ella-iv1fk]

I'm not usually one for vlogmas as it's a bit twee for me, but following along bit by bit with this garment is so useful, and more relatable than a single video all polished and edited down. For bodice fitting I've found using an open ended zip helpful rather than trying to pin myself in, I should switch to safety pins though to reduce stabbings.

[@colettebramwell-colyer]

This is so great seeing someone do fit adjustments on themselves. I have always used straight pins and inevitably pin myself lol. I will be getting safety pins now. I am also short and have a sway back so this video does help. In the new year I will tacking making myself a formal evening down for my brother’s wedding. 🤞🏻it works out. Definitely will be making toiles.

[@RetroClaude]

Good luck 🤞 I believe in you 💚

[@samanthaschurter747]

As a beginner in garment sewing, I found this tremendously helpful. ❤ Thank you.

[@m.maclellan7147]

Same ! Even just trying to buy skirts, dresses & knowing the fit wasn't right, but not knowing WHY !? This is SO helpful.

[@forgottensaves]

This was so incredibly helpful! It's not easy to find fitting advice for when you're fitting yourself without assistance, and your explanations on why you were making changes where you did made everything make so much sense

[@kaytiej8311]

Claude, this was absolutely brilliant! I learned so, so, so, so much. You're a fantastic teacher. Thank you for pushing on amidst your fatigue. We really appreciate it!

[@fri5481]

This series is having lots of value for sewing on your own by your own. Thank you so mutch for this clear view on the real thing🤩💖

[@victorialewin9552]

It never occurred to me to do fittings with safety pins rather than straight pins! Brilliant! To think of the number of times I've ever so carefully wriggled in and out of a muslin to not stab myself, and my jar of safety pins has been there the whole time, ha.

[@KelseyDrummer]

Honestly! It never occurred to me to use safety pins! My pins either stab me or fall out.

[@asilverfoxintasmania9940]

This has blown my mind. Why have I never thought to use safety pins! and as a fellow scoliosis suffer with a serious sway, thank you - your matter of fact way of talking about your hips being different and having volume in different locations has made me realise that I need to work with me that I have and not the me I think I am. This has been an awesome video.

[@RetroClaude]

It's hard to be so emotionally detached from our bodies and it can take it's toll to have to stare at our wonky bits but having fit hundreds of bodies of all shapes and sizes in my life I've learnt that everyone is a bit wonky. No one is made up of straight lines and right angles. And every body looks fabulous in well fitting clothes! 💚

[@CaptainStitchyPants]

This was so helpful, thank you! I really liked being able to see someone systematically work their way through assessing fit. I've seen plenty of tutorials on single issues, but the reality is that multiple things work together and, as you say, tweaking one area will shift everything else. I could absolutely see the difference when you tweaked the shoulders, and that was a great demonstration of how just 1cm can make a big visual difference. It was gold to see you troubleshoot the skirt waist issue out loud, trying one tweak then another - it's not always going to be obvious what the solution is, even if it's plain something is off. Your fit issues won't be everyone else's fit issues, but the systematic approach and the general principles will apply to all. Fun fact: I downloaded this video and saved it especially to watch at the end of my (5 am wake-up!) 11-hour travel marathon to get to my mother-in-law's in France for the holidays. I needed something engaging enough to keep me awake until a sensible sleep time, but soothing enough for my fried brain and screaming body. You were just the ticket, thank you 💜

[@da6885]

Friend Claude, I fear I cannot completely agree with you about the shoes; in my experience, the shoes can throw the body into some very peculiar alignments. That said, I don't believe I have ever watched one of your vids without learning something, and this after 40+ years of sewing for myself and others. Just as a side note, I once had a client with severe scoliosis -- we're talking "Hunchback of Notre Dame" here-- who was an American Civil War re-enactor. She'd found a fabric she loved, and wanted a gown that could be converted from a day dress into a ball gown. Simple enough, except that it was a (thankfully) small-guage plaid. Eventually it worked, but it took some doing, just illustrating that patience and perseverance can get us there. I continue to be amazed at what you are able to accomplish!

[@claire2088]

Loving this series- the tip to go from top to bottom for adjustments is like 🤦‍♀ obvious now you've said it but it just isn't something I'd have thought of. It's looking great so far, I'm so excited to see how it comes out

[@sarahporter1456]

Thanks for showing your fitting process! I feel like a lot of people only show the sewing process, which is obviously valuable, but getting clothing to fit properly is just as important (or more so important). Anyway, I love how you showed the trial and error of this process!

[@mokanger97]

It's such an obvious solution, but I'd never considered safety pins for fittings. Genius!

[@carolynspalding]

Definitely helpful to see your fit adjustment process! Makes me feel a lot better about mine, both in terms of their wonkiness and the time it takes to make them! :) thank you!

[@fernshepherd3416]

This might be the best video showing the fitting process I've seen!

[@rosiemakes]

I love this series of videos you're doing for Vlogmas. It's quite rare to get this level of detail to learn from (as a self-taught/youtube-taught sewer) as most of this kind of drafting and fitting content gets edited out of videos. It also teaches me to slow down as I'm more of a whirlwind sewer trying to get stuff done as quickly as possible!

[@glitterschatje4313]

I learned something today! The horizontal and vertical lines. Brilliant!!! You are doing great! Great pace for teaching. Looooove this project! Learning so much!

[@michelleellis1290]

This was absolutely amazing. I’ve literally been sat here awestruck. Watching how each individual change altered other areas. I’m seriously so impressed Claude you are an amazing teacher.

[@joellewatkins5528]

I'm I the only one who thinks this style vlogmas the best? I love consented on one garment.

[@onlyemarie]

I'm not a sewist (I'm a knitter!), but these are so great to watch. It's a pleasure to see a true professional at work and to see how you think about fit and fabric.

[@FanGyrlX]

Thank you very much for the detail you went into in this video. I've been having the hardest time trying to figure how to fit my back and haven't found many people who address it. I also really appreciate your precision when you sew. I'm similarly a precise person and it's helpful seeing the process of an experienced sewist who is also precise. 💜💜

[@miaochs7716]

Love this fitting episode. I’m Enjoying absorbing the information. New sewer here. Please do more fitting. Very informative

[@greenboing1111111119]

I'm so excited about the transferring to paper pattern piece. No one explains it well and I've been explaining everything perfectly!

[@sophie1301]

This video was so useful. Even if you don’t touch on every type of adjustment, you’re touching on some major ones.

[@Mums_a_knitter]

This was really helpful to me. Just seeing the principles of fitting and hearing your meticulous explanations. According to my previously distraught baby, it was rather soothing too! Thanks Claude!

[@RetroClaude]

Who knew the way to soothe a baby was to talk them through a toile fitting? I'll remember that one 😁

[@kah597]

Such a wealth of information in this video. It's really helpful to watch you pin adjustments, as I don't have a clear idea of what good fit should be. Also echoing other commenters about upping my marking and pinning accuracy! Thank you, Claude!

[@starsun6363]

Love your shirt in the beginning. Btw. I think people put on skirts that way because we *have* to put on pants that way. This was really useful to me, I'm self taught, and I've learned a lot of this via trual and error, but seeing it laid out so plainly is so, so useful. Also, if anyone is trying to fit a more complex garment I would suggest Minja Lee. She's an amazing costumer, and she films herself fitting her mock ups.

[@RetroClaude]

Ooh yes I love Minja Lee's channel! I'm so glad I could help in my way 💚

[@KlingonPrincess]

I couldn't find her channel till I added "sewing." It's Minji not Minja. For anyone looking ☺️

[@RetroClaude]

@@KlingonPrincess thank you!!

[@philiphanson6894]

Really enjoyed your self fitting tips. I’m looking forward to seeing how you convert these changes onto your pattern pieces. Evelyn Wood recommended a good self fitting for things you can’t see in the mirror which I remember as make a film, then use your phone screenshot function to take stills. That way you aren’t struggling with timers but you don’t need to use fancy application to get video from the stills. Video was “How to take great photos of yourself, to fit clothes on yourself, by yourself.”

[@blufaerie]

Safety pins, particularly loopless safety pins, for the win!!!

[@denisevitale4692]

You are such a good teacher. Your videos work so well showing the realities of sewing for yourself. Thank you.

[@expetesso]

Thank you for the most useful sewing video I’ve yet found! You’re a wonder, Claudia.

[@lovepuppy2242]

Tips for the horizontal waves from a short chubby lady! The small ones tend to be when it's too tight, the bigger ones tend to be that a section lower down is too small or too long and is pushing the fabric up. think a skirt rumbling in the back but your not sure how to take out fabric there or don't want to add an oddly placed horizontal dart. this happens to me a lot with A line skirts as my waist to hip ratio is quite drastic. Figuring out I just had to add about a cm or two to the side seams (at the height of where the fabric started to drape) made me feel like a genius.

[@SusieQ3]

💡I just realized....🤣 I think you may underestimate exactly how relatable you are!

[@KlingonPrincess]

I learned a lot from you analysing your fit issues. Especially the shoulders. I have trouble seeing on myself what exactly is wrong to know what to correct.

[@deloresgutierrez1350]

Thankyou!! Fitting myself has been so difficult. You've made it understandable. I also have uneven body parts. It makes ready to wear hard to find. I'll be playing your tutorials while i fit my basic pattern.

[@rennells]

I know this is process is hard on you, but the project management portion is helpful! Very! I am having to figure out my process’es for my batch jobs and the little steps and lists are helping.

[@elisestewart5416]

What a great video. It’s really useful to see the whole process and to understand what the lines mean. Thank you for doing this

[@saracyclesandsews]

We don't have similar fit issues, but I still really enjoy watching your process! You and Morgan Donner are so good about not only making a muslin/toile, but also showing alterations and before/after. And your precision with the toile is admirable--I should probably start marking the sewing lines too, sigh.

[@nataliestanchevski4628]

Thank you for the fitting suggestions. I'm sewing for my mother who has kyphosis as well as scoliosis and it's been challenging. We go slowly as fittings are tiring for her and I am far from experienced.

[@auntiezann5146]

Such an informative video! I have never understood the concept of lines, and how to fix them! Wow. I so appreciate this info.

[@OrrieInBetween]

This video was so informative and fun to watch. Thank you for some really great tips!

[@petarahmatalla2796]

another great video, you explain everything so well and you are very thorough. many thanks, plus it's so nice to hear the word trousers rather than pants, which we all know are underwear! xx

[@raevynwoods9403]

It's increadibly useful to see you go through the process! Although I have made mock-ups for past sewing projects, I didn't really have any idea what to do with the mockup other than taking it in a little bit in the waist. I didn't know what things to look for, so even though my body is different from yours, this explanation does give me pointers about where to look.

[@juliecanknit2]

Wowowow! I know the purpose of this video is to de-mystify the process of fitting…but it still seems like magic to me 😅

[@ladybugdancer97]

Thank you for the detail in explaining both the alterations you were making/why and possible issues you could run into when fit on a different shaped body. My mom helps me with fittings and this will help her understand what I'm talking about. Looking forward to the next video in Clodmas! I've learned something very valuable in every video.

[@ButterflyWingRose]

This has been one of the most useful youtube videos I've ever watched. Thank you Claude

[@nanaanna3229]

Super helpful for fitting skirts. I cant wait to start working on my 1930s skirt now!

[@BYBabbra]

Talking into the door! love it. Brilliant video, very helpful and great to see the process.

[@AmoCultumAlo]

Wow, this was incredibly useful! Thank you so much! I'm really enjoying this whole series, and I'm looking forward to seeing the rest as they come. Thank you!

[@annettebroomhall8617]

Ringless safety pins are very popular for fitting too. They don't catch fabric and are easy to use.

[@amara560]

I am still very much at the beginning of my sewing journey and this was incredibly helpful!

[@anjaprachtstueckwerk7546]

Thanks for a perfectly useful fitting tutorial! I have a similar too wide shoulder/ too much room in the upper back issue waiting for me in a vintage dress that needs an alteration. It´s really interesting to see you do methodically what I´d usually wing on my dress form.

[@nathalieslachmuylders]

Thanks Claude, that was a really clear explanation of a backward/forward shoulder adjustment. I finally get it : ) Have a nice week. Best wishes from Ireland.

[@nathalieslachmuylders]

PS: the bodice looks very flattering on you: looks like a pattern that is ready to be duplicated for other garments multiple times now?

[@stevezytveld6585]

That's about the clearest explanation of fitting I've yet to come across. Thank you Sooo much! Keeping the illustration in mind is a great tip (because I've always wondered how to not make a vintage pattern into something that's a modern creature). - Cathy (&, accidently, Steve), Ottawa/Bytown/Pimisi

[@angelamatthews8190]

this is so helpful. i'm learning so much from this series. the level of detail you go into is amazing! I find when I fit myself I have to check it while sitting too because my waist expands when i sit and i spend more time sitting than standing, so i need it to be comfortable. video it also really helps. And while I can reach to pin my back (which is very helpful to fit over my kyphosis), reach back also changes my back, so it's not always that useful!

[@michellepretorius484]

Thank you for this video. I may not have the exact same fit issues as you do, but you made me realise I rush through my fittings too much and don't spend enough time really considering what I want / need to do. I will work on it.

[@emilysmith2784]

Ha. Such good advise on the bras. I have a few bras and they all make my boobs different. Tempted to chuck all but 1 and just buy the same bra for the rest of my life. Also I have to step into skirts as my boobs are waaay bigger than my hips and I’d never get the skirt on if I put it over my head 😂

[@RetroClaude]

Very true!! Whereas my hips are much bigger than the rest of me so I can never wriggle them over my hips! 💚

[@RetroMinnie87]

Thank you for this video! Fitting is something I never truly learned from someone else so I’ve just been making it up as I go with varying results. This is so helpful and then to see how you transfer this to your paper pattern will be SO helpful!

[@melusinenoArashi]

Thank you so much for this clear explanatory video. I saved on my playlist. And to answer your question, yes please more tutorial video of this type.

[@NinaLanfer]

Wonderful video, as always. Entertaining, educational, interesting to listen to someone actually trained in this. I enjoy when you share your thought process. This video was particularly good. Fitting is such a difficult, or rather, tedious/fiddly thing.

[@marathorne6821]

Looking good, Claude! Looking forward to seeing the finished item, which I think will be super 👌

[@cassandrawade460]

Just found your video. This is brilliant! Loved watching you fit yourself by yourself-so helpful. I learned so much. Never thought of using safety pins for fitting! Would love to see more of these-thank you!

[@marieokamoto8791]

Brilliant video on fitting! It clearly demonstrates the process. To be honest, I’m a terribly lazy sewist and check the fit and sew this bit or that bit until it’s right, and I’ve always been lucky with that “method” . However, thank you so much for this, I’ll definitely try to be more thoughtful of the fitting process as I could clearly see it work here.

[@xiluvOreox]

Such a useful video! Showing us stuff like this really helps to understand fit processes and principles. "Starting where the garments rests' as a guideline is mind-blowing to now have on the back of my mind as a.reminder for how to begin the process..

[@Sew_Learning]

Thank you for sharing this with us! This fitting process that you’ve shown is worth gold. There are very few easily understood tutorials on fitting and you nailed it perfectly. Am looking forward to the next instalment. Again, thank you so much. Sending Christmas vibes and good cheer from Down Under 💖🥰💐🌺🇦🇺😎

[@marilys3549]

Again very informal tutorial. I have some of the same issues like a swayed back. I don't have sculleosis, but a fuller hip to take into consideration. Looking forward to the next video. 😁

[@Letha222]

Excellent demonstration. Thanks for sharing.

[@Puppy52]

The shoulder shape looks so nice! The skirt is looking promising after your fitting tries😁 good luck!🍀

[@RetroClaude]

Thank you! I think I'm on the right track!

[@mmcgrath737]

,I found this really helpful. It makes me want to try fitting things again, I'd gotten quite discouraged!

[@rebekkawacherhausenwichman236]

Great video! And a nice fit you worked your way to! I really like this series! 👍👍👍

[@Midlife_Manical_Mayhem]

your showing what to look for and where to add and remove helps a lot. my figure is much different than yours, but you at least give me a starting place, so its a very useful video. enjoy your rest.

[@dees3179]

I hate my figure so making clothes is very off putting and it means I have to keep looking at myself. I do make a lot of bags though. Perhaps I should wear of those!

[@Midlife_Manical_Mayhem]

@@dees3179 i hated mine for years. finally decided i was not going to hide in ugly clothes anymore. i'm 53 and just under 300 for the first time in a few years. very large busted/figure 8 style. its hard to dress comfortably and cute at my age/size without looking like a grandma or a club goer or 24 year old. i dress modestly, so i have decided that making my clothes is the only real way to go. i used to make my clothes when i was younger and thinner, but i never knew as much about sewing as i do now after 3 years of youtube videos.

[@olliejones3302]

Being hypermobile has made fitting things on myself far easier 😆

[@RetroClaude]

Take the wins wherever you can 😂💚

[@dees3179]

This was so helpful Claude. I’m learning a lot from you this month.

[@Gandellion]

Claude have you tried heat erasable pens? I don’t believe sight is an issue for you but it personally is for me and you can have lovely clear markings that are totally gone when you iron them, they’re so awesome I will recommend them to EVERYONE

[@chebal2939]

Definitely go for an A-line skirt. Looking good 👍🏻

[@lindyfraser6243]

Absolutely loving these videos! As a beginner I am learning so much. Thank you!!

[@armedvsokord]

Such great fitting advice. You are amazing! Thank you for all this effort.

[@MissMVintage]

Putting a skirt on over your head?! HOW DID YOU DO THAT? My shoulders are by far the broadest part of me. Watching you do that was like seeing magic for the first time. In real time. I am blown away.

[@RetroClaude]

I make my skirt placket openings longer 😉 no need to drag the skirt on the ground then 💚

[@julieheath6335]

VERY useful! Thank you for showing all!

[@cindyneel328]

Thanks for the great tutorial on fitting.

[@emilymiller40]

This was so helpful!! Thank you for sharing! I bet this is a lot of work and tiring for you 😅 but I feel like I would learn something new if you made a video like this for every garment you make. Now I want to go start a sewing project ☺️

[@cap4life1]

Incredibly useful, thank you!

[@annettej.gilmore8154]

hey I am fascinated by your videos especially all your explanations of the how and why and your thinking process. One question: wouldn't you also need to try your garment sitting down. I was wondering if the body shape changes especially around the middle area or when one crosses their leg? What do you think? Thank you for all your hard work at producing all these vlogmas episodes. 👏🎄💪🎄

[@RetroClaude]

I do need to try it sitting down! I totally forgot in this case 🤦‍♀️

[@julieb7270]

Such a helpful video! I learned so much, thanks!

[@meowdee]

I love that orange shirt! Wow!

[@mcomeslast]

I also bought a selfie tripod with a remote. I can take shots with my arms down and see how the back looks. I padded an adjustable dress form so it matches my measurements. Stepping into a skirt or dress means I won’t muss my hair.

[@robynnedorion3900]

So much useful information!

[@crystilmurch5659]

Been learning so much from this project! Thank you!

[@shaidabegum.]

Wow Claude, bravo👌👏. Much useful info on garment fitting. ❤️

[@ljnoble5171]

How do you allow for seated ease when making a skirt waist tight enough not to drop at the back waist, please?

[@elainebye9090]

I really needed this! Thank you. Can't wait to try it out!

[@janevacani6789]

I would be interested to see how to transfer the adjustments you made to the shoulders/back to the original pattern pieces.