Seeking the Holy Grail

When I semi-retired from Nursing about 8 years ago, I returned to sewing with much enthusiasm. Having obtained a Top of the Line sewing machine and serger, I wanted to learn to use them to the maximum potential. I also felt that since RTW is so available and basically affordable, that in order to make it worth my time and effort, whatever I sewed should be at least as good or better than something I could by at an upscale shop. To that end, I became immersed in trying to get the perfect fit. My husband refers to this as "seeking the Holy Grail"! I tried 3 different computer programs for pattern making with varying degrees of success, but was never really happy with the results. With one program I actually had the perfect pants. Then the programmer upgraded the program and with the upgrade, the pants were broken. Unfortunately I had gained wt and could no longer use the pattern I had obtained. I tried another popular program. I printed out a semi fitted top. Out came a square, boxy shirt with darts. I then printed out a fitted shirt. Out came the same boxy pattern, just with HUGE darts. Maybe I didn't give it enough chance, but to me these patterns have very little sophistication. I prefer Vogue!!! Then I did some beta testing for a new program just starting out. After spending a year and a LOT of money and still having nothing to wear, I decided to learn to alter patterns and maybe even make my own to fit. So I went to Oregon and took fit from Palmer/Pletsch. I learned a lot and came back with several patterns ready to sew. I am continuing to learn and explore and experiment. Much of my blogging will be about that, I am sure!
Over this last weekend, I ran across an article in Threads, Nov 2006 about shoulder fitting problems. I used their suggestions, and taped a piece of gridded paper to the wall. Although my husband was less than excited, he did assist me by tracing around my shoulder line! I then attached this to my cutting table. Now, theoretically, I can lay a pattern on this, matching up the neck and center seam and be able to alter the shoulder slope to fit mine. One more tool to use in the search for the Holy Grail!!! The picture to the right is Vogue pattern V1021 which was fitted to me at the Palmer/Pletcsh school.