Not a problem. A good fit really is the secret to making a quality garment. Not alot of everyday sewers use muslins on a regular basis anymore. It’s too bad. Designers live by them because they realize the benefits. How significant they are in making your own fashion designs. I mostly use them to test vintage sewing pattern designs to make sure the pattern works before cutting into expensive/costly fabric. I love by them! Muslins are extremely useful in so many ways.

And after you’ve made your own personal muslin of yourself-fit to you and your body measurements-you shouldn’t have to make another unless your body undergoes some type of drastic change.

You can make a muslin of yourself. The success of a good muslin relies on taking good measurements. You should get a friend to help take your measurements because it’s easier to get accurate measurements of you versus you doing it on your own. If you don’t have a friend whom can help take your measurements, I’d suggest taking your measurements a first and second time-rechecking the second measurements against the first to ensure accuracy.

A good muslin is made from a live model-the live model for whom the muslin is made for is best, including you.

When it comes to making the alterations you shouldn’t need any help for that, except a little know-how or a good book.

I have some information on making a muslin (also called a basic (a paper version of a muslin), shell, sloper (the final paper version of a muslin), fitting shell ect..) on this website.

How to make a basic (the paper version of a muslin-the paper version of you in your own measurements).

I’m at present working on a video tutorial on making a muslin so please check back to see that or I’ll shoot you an email.

In the meantime, one of the best sewing books out there depicting and explaining a fitting shell (muslin) is found in Reader’s Digest Complete Guide to Sewing’s chapter, “Portfolio of Fitting Methods”. It’s extremely detailed, graphical and useful. This single chapter alone explains making a muslin and how to alter its various parts as needed. Plus, the overall book itself is a very useful resource to have on you sewing bookshelf.

Lastly, YOU ARE NO. 1, you’ve won a free vintage sewing pattern. Send your mailing address to: callie@sewcraftful.com.

Thank you for the question and visiting!

Callie

Thank you for this tutorial. I am sick of fussing with patterns, always wondering if they are going to fit properly when finished. I intend to make one of these muslins for myself very soon! My question is, though, can you do this same thing on a live model? What if that live model is yourself? How do you make these alterations on yourself?