Mar 31, 2015

Zipper Scratchies!

Protect yourself from those darn 'zipper scratchies'!

Sometimes when wearing a garment with an invisible zipper, the end of it - where the zipper stops - can be rough and scratchy.  Here's a quick tip on how to cover that end before you insert the zipper.

1. Use a soft, yet dense enough strip of fabric like cotton interlock.  Cut the strip 1" (2.5 cm) by about 2 1/4" (5.8 cm) wide.
2.  Lay this strip on the right side of the zipper tape with the cut edge almost on the end of the zipper.  Stitch directly beneath the zipper stop across the width of the zipper.

 3.  Trim some of the strip to remove excess bulk.

 4.  Fold the fabric strip around to the wrong side of the zipper wrapping/enclosing the ends of the zipper tape.

5.  Then from the right side, stitch in the ditch, sewing through all layers to secure it in position.





6.  Proceed with the normal application instructions to insert an invisible zipper.

...And on the inside, it looks like this...

This soft, little piece of fabric protects you from the 'zipper scratchies'.  It's a quick little technique.  Give it a try the next time you apply an invisible zipper.

Kindly,
Glenda...the Good Stitch!


Mar 24, 2015

A Day in the Life of...SFD

I thought you might be interested in a photo story and seeing the kinds of activities that go on behind the scenes in the SFD studio and office.
As most of you know, we spent the beginning of 2015 giving the SFD Kits a total face-lift and at the same time, the Introductory How-To DVD was updated requiring all new models and video demos.  The final 2-DVD set ended up being 3 hr. 45 min. long. 
Here's a look at how we kept extremely busy during the first part of 2015 in an effort to bring you the latest and best of Sure-Fit Designs.

 Lisa was our new measurement model for the Dress, Pants and Shirt segments of the How-To DVD.



 The set looks like this, with lighting and camera equipment everywhere.  Thank goodness Wes, my husband and videographer, knows what he's doing.


At the end of a very success shoot, we were all smiles and happy that it went so well.

Wes and I then went on to film the individual lessons.  This photo was taken during the Dress Kit pattern demo.
Here I'm showing you a new Pants Leg Styles visual where you can see all the distinctive leg styles for pants designing.


And while were doing all the video shooting, here's Kelly, my office assistant and right-hand 'man', wrapping orders that go everywhere in the world.
Without Kelly, the extra things I do, like writing blogs and creating Fashion Leaflets, would come to a grinding halt.  I'm sincerely grateful to have her assist us in many different office functions.
One more tidbit that you should be aware of, is that no DVD product leaves our office without first being checked from beginning to end.  We want only top-notch functioning products to arrive on your doorstep.


Whew! Now that the video segments are shot, I don my editor's hat and begin the editing process.
It's quite a process to go through, but fortunately we all enjoy each step along the way.  I love technology and all the capabilities we can achieve.  As I mentioned above, this new How-To DVD ended up being 3 hr and 45 minutes long.  It was a lot of editing and I'm glad it's done.  I hope you enjoy the end result.

And...occasionally I get to sew!  I'm having withdrawals right now.  Though this week I have 5 lovely ladies from far and distant states in the US, a couple of Oregonians, and one attendee from Australia who are at the SFD Fit & Sew Retreat.  I promise myself - after this I'll begin a new sewing project.

Kindly,
Glenda...the Good Stitch!





Mar 17, 2015

Sew...What's New?

Introducing the 2015 Face-Lift!
Many of you have asked what's new in 2015 editions of the Sure-Fit Designs Kits.  First, please rest assured, that with the exception of the Shirt Kit Master Patterns, all of your other Master Patterns in the Dress, Pants and Children's Kits have NOT changed.  They are still the same great-fitting patterns we've offered you over the years.

So let's take a look at what is different.  First, we've gone to a full-color envelop for packaging all the Kits.
DRESS KIT
The Dress Kit Instruction book is now the 6th edition.  Within this instruction book, all of the technical art, that is how to draw off these master patterns to create your body blueprint, has all been updated for even greater clarity.  One new fashion design instruction for the 'S'-curved neckline blouse was added.  Due to expanded technical illustrations and the new design, the book went from 52 to 56 pages.

The Master Patterns and Dress Kit templates have NOT changed.

If you want to purchase just the 6th edition Dress Kit Instruction book, please click here.




PANTS KIT
The Pants Kit Instruction book is now the 5th edition.  Within this instruction book, all of the technical art, that is how to draw off these master patterns to create your body blueprint, has all been updated for even greater clarity.

The Pants Master Patterns have NOT changed.

If you want to purchase just the 5th edition Pants Kit Instruction book, please click here.






SHIRT KIT
The entire 5th edition Shirt Kit has changed substantially.  The Master Patterns are totally updated - meaning they no longer have seam allowances on them.  They are now consistent with all the other SFD Master Patterns, where once you have drawn your body blueprint pattern, you will now ADD the 5/8" (1.6 cm) allowance.  The Shirt Kit accessory pieces now include a flat collar and woman's cuff along with all the other collar and pocket shapes.  The instruction book, by necessity, has all new technical drawings showing exactly how to draw these new master patterns.  All the fashion art has been totally updated and offers new designing suggestions.  The book has gone from 20 to 28 pages.

If you want to purchase the 5th edition Shirt Kit, please click here.

CHILDREN'S KIT
The Children's Kit Instruction book is now the 5th edition.  Within this instruction book, all of the technical art, that is how to draw off these master patterns to create your body blueprint, has all been updated for even greater clarity.  All of the fashion art has changed and been updated.  There are a lot of fun, new ideas for sewing children's clothing.  The book has gone from 32 to 36 pages.

The Children's Master Patterns have NOT changed.

If you want to purchase just the 5th edition Children's Kit Instruction book, please click here.




MEN'S PANTS INSTRUCTIONAL PACKAGE
The Men's Pants Instructional package is now the 5th edition.  Within this instruction book, all of the technical art, that is how to draw off these master patterns to create your body blueprint, has all been updated for even greater clarity.  The fashion art has changed and been updated.  The Men's Pants instructions have always utilized the ladies' Pants Kit Master Patterns as the basis for drawing the men's pants.  Nothing has changed in that regard.

If you want to purchase the 5th edition Men's Pants Instructional Package, please click here.




HOW-TO DVD
Finally, the Sure-Fit Designs introductory DVD has been updated.   This DVD offers the basics for getting started wth the Sure-Fit Designs system of pattern fitting and designing.
It consists of 2 DVD's and offers 3hr 45min of clear, concise instruction for drawing the Dress, Pants, Shirt and now includes drawing off all patterns in the Children's Kit.  Additionally you'll see how to measure for the man's pants as well as a discussion on drawing the pattern.  If you want to purchase just the new How-To DVD, please click here.

Limited Time 'Bundle' Special
If you are interested in updating your SFD kits/supplies, we're offering a Limited Time Special for all of the above itemsReceive a 15% discount when each of the above are ordered in a 'Bundle'.  Please Click Here.

Let's take a look at some of the new design ideas and fashion art in both the Children's and Shirt Kit.
















(Sorry the art isn't all laid out evenly.  I have a dickens of a time with blogger getting things positioned where I'd like them to be.)

I hope you all will enjoy the new SFD look and instruction books.

As always, I thank you for your ongoing support.
Kindly,
Glenda...the Good Stitch! 

Mar 9, 2015

30% Close-Out Sale

 Announcement
Close-Out Sale
30% off Current SFD Kits
...a very rare sale!



The Sure-Fit Designs Kits as you know them, have undergone a face-lift, update and re-design.  What does this mean?

  • The technical how-to-draw-the-patterns art has been changed to offer even more detailed instructions and illustrations for all of the kits.
  • The fashion art for the Shirt, Children's Kits and Men's Instructional Package has been updated
  • In terms of the actual master patterns, no change has been made to the Dress, Pants or Children's Kit Master Patterns.  They are still the same excellent patterns that have been offered for the last 30 years.
  • The Shirt Kit Master Patterns have changed.  Before, these patterns included seam allowances.  With this revision, the Shirt Kit Master Patterns no longer include seam allowances.  That means they will be consistent in how to draw them like the other patterns in the line.
  • With this product revision and update, there will be a Kit and Combo price increase as of March 15, 2015.
Close-Out Sale on Current Kit Inventory
Saturday March 7 to 14, 2015
or until supplies run out.
Click Here, choose your kit(s), Add to Cart, then enter Discount Code: SALE30

If you've been wanting to get a specific kit to add to your fitting supplies, now is the perfect time.  Here's what you'll find on sale - all at 30% off:
Just click here - http://www.surefitdesigns.com/index-closeoutsale.html

Items must be ordered from the above page in order to receive your discount.
Thanks so much to all of you for your continued and ongoing support.

Kindly,
Glenda...the Good Stitch!