How fussy are you about fit?

[CenturiesSewing]

Fit is the first thing I notice when looking at clothing, and the first thing I address when working on a project.

Every project usually gets a mock up if I am doing something new. Yes it takes time, but that is time well spent if I have a limited amount of fabric that I can't risk messing up. It forces me to slow down think things through and often problem solve in a slightly more period mindset.

Fit I've also found is something that evolves over time. You learn how different fabrics behave and adapt with the body.
And there is a certain magic when everything falls in place. You take in a side seam or shorten a sleeve so it is in proportion and it goes from just "good" to "fabulous".

[Marietta Graziella]

I like things to fit but there's that point of diminishing return.  For the extra 3 hours it'll take for me to recut/tweak/etc, will it look *that* much better?

As previously stated, this is supposed to be fun so for me close enough is good enough, but ultimately you have to make yourself happy.  Tweak and obsess away my friends!  It's your sanity. 

[ladyharrogate]

PERFECTIONIST, (unfortunately for my sanity sometimes)  I was trained in couture sewing and have worked in costume shops and doing clothing for Miss America, etc.  Needless to say I've learned to be a perfectionist on fit.  In pageants not only does it keep the customer happy it can mean the difference between winning and loosing, especially in evening and swimsuit.  That's just carried over into sewing.  A little secret though, fit is not just determined by how the garment "fits".  It is also determined by the inner structure of the garment.  Good interlinings and proper structure go a long ways in making a garment fit just right.  Next time you see a pucker, it might not be your fit as much as how you've worked with the fabric.  I always tell new seamstresses to take the time to work on their technique first then speed.  Then as you get faster you'll still do good work.

[Kate XXXXXX]

I do so agree with you!  It's the hidden stuff that makes the difference, so often, and the bits people skip as 'boring'.

[Anna Iram]

I've made the mistake of wearing something that fit *very* poorly and having a miserable day, but still I admit I don't take the time to get things just right. That's one of the reasons I buy corsets/bodices and make skirts and sometimes underpinnings. I can get those right enough to be seen or hidden.

[LadyStitch]

I do so agree with you!  It's the hidden stuff that makes the difference, so often, and the bits people skip as 'boring'.

I don't know how many times I have had to tell me people "yes interfacing and canvaes ARE nessasary to make this look good. And yes using the correct one matters!"

[gem]

I do so agree with you!  It's the hidden stuff that makes the difference, so often, and the bits people skip as 'boring'.

Well, this is the part where I work on fit, too. I have trouble moving on from this stage, though. I'm getting ready (right this moment) to tweak the innards of my corded curved-front dress (which at the moment is ONLY innards--the corded canvas interlining). I would really like to end up with an actually DRESS by the end of this, and I'm concerned I won't ever get there b/c I won't ever be happy about the fit... and I'd rather have A dress that almost fits perfectly than NO dress at all.