We are about to kick-off our Shoulder Seam Princess Sew-along. I think the princes seam is one of the most flattering styles you would find for most body types. You will find this style in wedding dress designs as well as evening and cocktail wear.

The princess style pattern is not the easiest pattern to adjust for your fitting needs, but it sure is a very rewarding project when you achieved success and all the seams are were they should be “In the center of the bust”.

I have completed my Shoulder Seam Blouse, and I’m very pleased with outcome.

I have also used shoulder pads to make my sloping shoulder a bit more even.

Here is a preview of the Shoulder seam princess fitting video
PS: The pants I’m wearing is M5239.

Vogue 2909

This little top turned out to be gorgeous, and it fits perfectly. I think she looks like a real lady wearing this top.

Some of her own words:
Patricia: “Your top look Beautiful. All the time and effort you have put into this top payed of I’m so proud of you, no matter how difficult this pattern tried to be . And we did had quite a few Moments. I love to look at the completed projects and then reflect back at where we started, what a great journey it was
Well done you did a GREAT job ”

Ssmith: “Thanks, Patricia. I certainly could never have done it without you. I love the fabric and the color most of all. I sent my daughter the same pictures, and she said the EXACT same thing you did about all the hard work paying off in the end. Here is what she said: “And your blouse fits great!!! All that hard work pays off – Plus, the fabric is super cute.” I think in the end, we had major SUCCESS! I am pleased with the outcome. “

Diane decided on Simplicity 2339 for her first tissue fitting experience. She did a great Job and achieved a FABULOUS fit. Her blouse do have all the qualities we are looking for in a well fitted blouse. I believe she will wear this blouse a lot as she would be able to dress it up or dress it down, from morning to night. she added a real work horse to her wardrobe

I love how she added the D-rings to the sleeve as well as the detail to the pocket and sleeves. Because she fitted this classic style blouse she will find it easier to fit the Shoulder Princess Blouse, because she already know which adjustments she would need. I’m very proud and pleased with the outcome of this blouse.

Here is her experienced in her own words:
Patricia, Here is my finished blouse, I’m happy with how it turned out, learned a lot from following your instructions, am getting the hang of “reading my wrinkles”. Always wanted to try some graphics on a garment and this one seemed like a good opportunity. Thanks again for the time, effort and patience you invest in our sewing education, can’t wait for the princess blouse, please put me on the list. -Diane

I still remember Linda’s first blouse fitting adventure, she did a button up shirt, and couldn’t believe that she could actually button the shirt at her neck. Something she wasn’t able to do before.

I was pleasantly surprised when she shared the following:

Patricia and friends , I just have to show you I did not realize since I started with Patricia and fitting of my first blouse, How many items I have completed.I now have 1 outfit, 2 blouses, 3 wraps and 2 summer stretch tops, I am so excited. I understand patterns so much better, I enjoy the fitting ,even though it takes time to tape and re try the tissue so carefully,but the results are wonderful. Even the stretch top I have on , I have never have short sleeve top fit so well around the arms and so nice across chest. Thank you Patricia for your time and help. I did complete the Kwik Sew with 3/4 sleeves in a wrap I want to show you , and its great, thanks for all the tips on how to deal with Kwik Sew and no bust point. What a difference when you understand. I can’ t wait for the Pricess seams.

lca started with her blouse, by using a size 16 pattern. she had some difficulty to keep the tissue in place.
After a while she decide to go one size down and use a size 14.
Here is her comment on down-sizing: “I did the 1/2″ broad back. I forgot to tell you, I downsized to a size 14. Last time I did a 16 and never finished the tissue fitting because it was too big. Just starting with the right size is making it so much easier. I remember my struggles with the size 16 and how it wouldn’t stay put.
She also needed to add some extra width to her sleeves, which was pretty easy to do in the end.
Here is her comment on the sleeve: “Patricia, I can’t thank you enough for getting me to this point! This is the best sleeve I have ever done and it’s just pinned in. Can you remind me which video has the collar?”

lca’s hard work really paid off. Her shirt fit very well. And as we all know a well fitted blouse is one of the key ingredients in our wardrobe plan. Because this blouse fits her well it is also flattering, classy and feminine-looking.

How do you know if your blouse is flattering, classy and feminine-looking?

•There should be No pulling pulling across the bust line. The blouse should lie on the chest with no pulling, the placket flat and even over the buttons. The bust darts, point to the nipple, not above or below it.

• When you reach upward with both arms, there should be no catching on the upper arm, elbows, or shoulders. When you wear a long-sleeved blouse, a few inches of the wrist should show. Waving should be completely comfortable.

• There is no pulling across the shoulder blades when you are stretching or driving a car?
The shoulder seam should rest right over the start of the upper arm.

• Take inventory of the collar and cuffs. There should be no pinching while they’re closed. The neck should be free to move.

• The waist of the shirt and your waist is at the same spot

• The hem of the shirt should fall between the top of the hipbone and several inches beneath.

A Hint:
When you want to buy a pattern, use your high bust measurement and use that in place of bust on the measurement chart. If you happen to be in between sizes, buy the smaller size

When Ashford started her tunic she had a clear idea of what she wanted, and how the end result should look.

She did not know that she would insert one sleeve 3 times, or that she would hand embroider all around the neckline in front.

Ashford wanted to get it right, no matter how many times she needed to rip her seam out. The sleeves was a learning curve for her, and
she did a awesome job, there is no puckering and the sleeve look nice and smooth, the way it was suppose to.

She started to call her tunic TOMORROW, because whenever she thought she would have some time to sew something came-up.
She even had to catch some grashoppers in one of their State Parks one day.
She is VOlunteer in her community.

I do believe she do have a new skill to fit and sew any other regular top with waist and bust darts, with great success.

Because she understand her bodyshape and the adjutments it needs.

Here is her journey in some of her own words:

Tunic fabric for Simplicity 4149

Part of my wardrobe-body shape plan is to use soft, draped fabrics that do not cling. But, if I use the white cotton fabric in my “bought and never used” pile, it might hang all right in this pattern style since there is not any fullness to make the cotton stand out from the body. I would still need to add a design element for my body shape.

•My square shoulders and wide bust line make my upper torso appear as my largest expanse. I need to break up that wide
expanse with details, especially anything that leads the eye toward the center of the body. A solid white cotton tunic
would look like a pillowcase on my shape.
•When wearing mix-n-match tops and bottoms, my short legs can make my upper torso appear too long. Instead of vertical
details in the top, I need to draw the eye upwards to the neckline. And, if the outfit allows it, take the color or design
used in the top and add it to the skirt/pant.

For the white cotton tunic, I could add some embroidery or applique or a white textured fabric at the neck and upper
chest and upper sleeve. It could be worn with…

•a white skirt/pant with the same detail in one small area towards the left bottom corner.
•a solid color skirt/pant picked up from the embroidery/applique colors
•a print skirt/pant with vertical details using the embroidery/applique colors (You would need to buy your print first
and then coordinate the embroidery/applique colors to match.)
•for some extra style, the accessories could include a print fabric handbag with the embroidery/applique colors; clear
sparkle in the earrings or one of the colors to brighten my face and gray hair.

(After many adjustments and ripping it was time to celebrate)

Okay, everybody get a drink -lemonade, wine, whatever you like- and join me in a toast to Patricia.
She has pulled me across the finish line.
Patricia – Kan jou seëninge word baie, as die sprinkane in die velde.
(Afrikaans translation, according to Google: May your blessings be many, as the grasshoppers in the fields.)
I hope I got the language and the translation correct.

The sleeves are in and the tunic is hemmed. I will send a photo when the embroidery is completed and the markers
are washed out.

Ashford.

She did a GREAT job, and I’m sure she will feel very proud in wearing this beautiful Tunic.

I sewed this dress using a brown cotton knit. I love the softness of the fabric and the fit was fabulous.
I did make my usual adjustment for my back and full bust. I still think it is magic to see how the bust
seam fall right below the bust were it is suppose to be. The sway back adjustment is so small but yet
so worth the effort.

I do believe that this pattern is fool proof and easy to sew if you are willing to take the time to tissue fit this pattern and make
all the neccesary adjustments that you need. I do have a step-by-step fitting video which will show you how to
do a full bust adjustment for this kind of pattern and how to rotate the bust dart so that you won’t end up with a side
dart at the bust. To access these fitting video’s please visit our forum to become and Elite Perfect Sew And Fit Club Member Already an Elite PS&F Club Member watch the video here

One of our Elite Club Members sewed up M5433 by using our M5433 video series. I’m very pleased with the outcome of this shirt, and I think she did a awesome job.

Here is her journey in her own words:
I had attempted a couple of other patterns for myself without any luck. When I found Patricia’s site, I decided I should probably start with the basics. I followed along with her videos and FFRP. This is one that I would actually wear in public. I was very pleased with how it turned out. It’s not a 100%. There are a few mistakes that I would fix next time I sew it. I’m a perfectionist, so I’m not sure anything I ever sew will be 100%. I choose to do the sleeveless version because I didn’t want to tackle sleeves at the moment. And I also live in the southwest where you can wear sleeveless tops most of the year.

I love to see how the ladies on this forum grow in their fitting skills.

Marisa sewed 2 tops from M6120, and she did a awesome job.

Here is a little bit of her fitting journey in her own words:

I measured my high bust which is 31 inches, so I suppose I will be using size 8, like you in one of your videos.
I will iron the pattern again and I will cut it after you confirmed my size. Which video is the right one for me?
I’m making top m6120. (she used video 5 from the 3rd sew-along series)

The neighbor is very nice and she took some photos of me. She said the pattern is too small, I have to take at
least two sizes bigger. I said to her: “You don’t know Patricia, she makes great clothes out of small patterns!”

I have sewed my top without sleeves. It is so hot now, that I like it the way it is. It is made with the remnant
of the fabric I used for my other top. The collar was the difficult part for me to do, but Patricia gave me a good
tip and now, I am glad the way it looks. I wore it to a party and I like how the fabric is soft on the skin.

Patricia,
when I ordered the pattern for the 1st of July, my husband said to me that it wouldn’t fit me at all.
I should wear something without horizontal cuts. Normally he is right, but this time I wanted to work with
this pattern and to do the changes like the other girls here.
When I sent the pictures of my top to him, he answered:”Great! You look nice in that top! I like it!”

I wouldn’t have tried to do that top without this Forum. Yes, the midfitt is right where I wanted it to be. (Like magic!)
Everything is the way it should be. I’m happy

One of our Perfect Sew And Fit Club Members completed her Simplicty S4076 wrap top, and it look beautiful.

Before she decided on which wrap to use she visited the mall where she fitted quite a few styles. She decided that
the wrap with a midrif will not fit her body type. Armed with this knowledge she selected a great pattern from Simplicity
.

She also completed view B in just One DAY ! I was so surpised and excited when I she shared this photo with us.

And this is what she had to say:
I started on #2, using same pattern Simplicity 4076, but veiw B this time. I already had adjusted back pattern, needed to do front, I must say, I thought I would do same amount in front but when I tried on tissue the measurement was different, so I adjusted pattern , using FBA, and once again , Success!!. This fabric is pewter in color but feels like butter to touch, it feels so nice on. This is all fabric I had stored, no idea what its called,but it had stretch,so it was used. Now I told hubby I need to get some lighter colors, for summer , love shopping for fabric. This top went together faster than if I went shopping for it. Most time was on adjusting tissue and cutting. I can’t wait to see all the beautful wrap dresses that are in progress on this site.
Patricia – My next project, is a wrap with 3/4 sleeves , I know I am really try to get everything out of this pattern, but I love the fit of the wrap and I am trying to keep using that tissue

To learn more about our Perfect Sew And Fit Elite Club and how you could learn more about tissue fitting click here