Disclaimer: I am a Craftsy affiliate and I received this class for no cost. This is my honest review.
![[source: Craftsy]](http://tanyamaile.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/titleCard.jpg)
[source: Craftsy]
As this was my first Craftsy class, I wasn’t sure what I would get out of it and/or how worthwhile it would be for me. I was a bit confused by what level of sewist was suggested to take this class as well. Although I am more of an advanced sewist myself, I enjoy reading sewing books that are geared towards beginners and intermediates as I find that there are always different ways to do things and with sewing — just as with any other genre — you can never know too much! I figured this was a good opportunity to watch an expert do some sewing!
First off, what I enjoy about Craftsy classes is that most of them are taught by esteemed experts in their fields. These are people (like Susan Khalje and Alison Smith) that I would gladly pay a good amount of money to attend a workshop with, but instead, I can pay a more minimal amount and watch them on my tablet whenever it’s convenient. Barbara Deckert is the author of Sewing for Plus Sizes: Creating Clothes that Fit and Flatter. I have yet to read this book, but I’m thinking that I should definitely add it to my Amazon wishlist! She’s a plus size woman herself and is a vault of knowledge when it comes to fitting curvy bodies.
This class is more of an advanced beginner/intermediate class, so most of it was a refresher course for me. I did enjoy her lesson on croquis and how she talked about body shapes. I am still not completely certain what “shape” my own body is. According to my measurements, I am more of a pear shape and according to Ms. Deckert’s croquis, I am either a pear or “Madame Peanut.” With this class, you get a lot of informative instruction materials, plus a very involved measurement chart, worksheets and croquis so you can attain the perfect fit.
Ms. Deckert went through the process of making a paper tape dress form as well, which was really nice to see someone do that rather than just reading about it and looking at photos. She also padded an existing dress form (which was oddly similar to my measurements) and used that form to show pattern fitting.
It was also nice to see an expert do pattern grading! She used a dressmaker’s ruler (of which I should really get one!) and used a mash between the shift and the slash and spread approach. She shows you how to do a number of adjustments for curvy figures including bust, arms, back, belly, etc. You can get pretty much everything you need to know about getting the perfect fit for your shape from this class.
One of the things that I really liked hearing was how she often reiterated how sewing is not rocket science — it is just sewing! If the line you drew or the cut you made are not perfect — don’t worry about it! You can fix it later! Don’t stress to make everything perfect when you’re adjusting patterns or cutting out your fabric. It can all be made good when you sew it.
It was also refreshing to hear her thoughts on making a muslin. If you read a lot of sewing blogs, you hear all the time about how you need to make a muslin first! Well… I’ve been sewing nearly all of my life and the only time I make a muslin is when I’m working with expensive fabric, making an advanced pattern or working with techniques that are new to me. Ms. Deckert has the same thoughts and also feels that it’s a waste of time to make a muslin. Instead, she bastes all of her pieces together in fashion fabric and makes adjustments from there. The only time she doesn’t do that and makes a muslin instead are for my reasons above or when she is making a lot of figure adjustments. That is good knowledge from an expert seamstress!
What I learned the most from this class was about pants fitting. That’s a new territory for me as I have not made any pants other than pajama pants and shorts. I also rarely wear pants and wear dresses and skirts 99% of the time, so I guess that’s why I have not strayed too far into pants territory. However, I have in my sewing room the Colette Clover pants pattern along with some dark indigo stretch denim I picked up in Nebraska this summer, and I’m going to venture into the unknown. This is definitely a project that will require a muslin as I don’t want to eff up my fashion fabric!
All in all, I enjoyed taking this class and would recommend it highly to someone who wants to learn more about fitting curvy bodies. It’s an informative class and even if you’re more advanced, you’ll come away with some knowledge. Just be aware that it’s not exactly a “young, hip” fashion sewing class, but one that involves the basics and a lot of info to achieve the perfect fit. I also loved how in the last lesson how she altered the pattern in varying ways which I definitely would have never thought of, even though it wasn’t exactly my taste or style. Very interesting!
Also, if you’re interested in taking a Craftsy class, as an affiliate, I’m happy to share this special discount on some of their best selling classes, which are now 50% off through this link: 50% Sewing, Knitting and Quilting Classes
I actually also just purchased Susan Khalje’s Online Couture Dress Class which I have been wanting to take for a while. I have been a fan of hers for some time and her book: Bridal Couture: Fine Sewing Techniques for Wedding Gowns and Evening Wear is pretty much my couture dress bible. I used it quite extensively when making my own wedding gown and if you can find a copy of it — buy it!!! I’ve always wanted to attend one of her workshops, but they are quite pricey, so I hope to find this class to be a good alternative. It’s on sale for $29.99 right now, so you can’t beat that! I really didn’t expect to be purchasing a Craftsy class right now, but this one was on my wish list and I didn’t want to pass up a super deal. I will let you know what I think about that one when I’m finished taking it. 🙂
And another pattern giveaway…
BTW: With Barbara Deckert’s Plus-Size Pattern Fitting & Design class, I received this pattern Vogue 8815. I will likely never make it as I don’t think I really like peplum tops on me (I’ve made two and I never wear them…). This pattern is new and uncut and in size 16-24. If you’d like this pattern, let me know and I will send it to you!!! 🙂 The first to comment and tell me that they’d like it will get it. I will ship internationally.
[source: Pattern Review]
Happy Sewing!
Thanks for this info, I’m seriously thinking about this class, I’ve been sewing for a couple years and still most of my garments end up in the “dont fit quite right” pile and don’t get worn. I’ve actually made a couple peplum items this last week, and am surprised how much I like them – I love the variations in that pattern.
It sure is disheartening when you spend time making something and it doesn’t turn out like you want it to. I have a few of those in a bin in my sewing room!
Thanks very much for the nice review of my class!
About my choice of sample pattern for the class: To teach fitting, including dart manipulation, I need a fitted, darted top pattern for wovens with a horizontal seam so that I can show how to adjust the pieces to fit the wearer and to fit together. The purpose of the pattern is to help teach the class and encourage students to practice the techniques that I teach in each lesson. I teach a process, not a project.
If students get a top that they like to wear as a result that’s great, but if not, they will have learned the techniques that I teach in the class so they can apply them to every pattern they use in the future.
Students can make View C, which has a plain back with the peplum only in front; I have made this view for myself a couple of times and get compliments, and I am enormous; you can see photos of these garments on my Projects page on Craftsy. The final lesson shows examples of easy design variations that are fun to try, too.
I may not be “young and hip,” as you say, but this pattern sure is; I often see variations of it in all the fashion magazines.
So thanks again, and happy sewing everyone —– I hope to “see you in class!”
Thanks for filling in a much needed void in the sewing world. When I say “young and hip” though, I’m alluding to the fact that many in the online sewing community seem to like watching and learning from young, hip bloggers like Gertie and Tilly.
Great review. Thanks! I’ve purchased a lot of Craftsy classes, but that one I have not. I’m curious how it compares to Kathleen Cheetham, of Petite Plus Patterns, classes on fit.
I have Susan’s class too. Just got the pattern!! Maybe we could do a sew along of sorts while taking the class? Maybe that’s too hard… It would be fun. I do want to take her self published cocktail dress class and really want to learn more about her travels to French design houses.
Pants… that’s an entire world of challenges, worth it, but definitely can have challenges. After having failed (in my opinion) at several woven pants. I found that starting with leggings was an easier method to jump in and figure out the crotch curve I need. Now, that will most definitely change with wovens, but it gave me lots more confidence.
Totally agree about colors vs. black and fitted vs loose. That’s exactly what I’m talking about on my blog these days. I prefer zero to negative ease and bright, cheerful colors. I feel old and dumpy in loose clothing. Plus, it’s a trip hazard on me. Caught in doors… step on it… sit on it… no thanks. I’ll take my athletic fit anyday!
Thanks, Gwen! I don’t know about a sewalong for the couture dress! That would be time consuming! I currently have a massive amount of projects I should be working on, so maybe next year! I do think that’s a good idea to start off with leggings. I’ve been meaning to try the Cake Espresso pattern.
I have the book and it is so useful! My biggest caveat is that the advice on proportion and flattering your figure is pretty dated. The pattern grading and fitting information is invaluable. The one thing that’s stuck with me is that if you make your own clothes, then there’s nothing you can’t wear/try. It’s incredibly empowering to read that.
I have had this on my wish list for a while. I might have to give it a go.
Just as with many sewing books and classes — they just don’t cover everything we’d like them to, but if you can learn something from it, it’s definitely worthwhile.
I was looking at this class and wondering if it was worth it or not. I wasn’t really inspired by the pattern as I am really not sure about a peplum. Thank you for your comprehensive and honest review and now I am off to check the book out too.
She offers a lot of excellent fitting advice and ways to do things. It’s worth it, even if the pattern isn’t your (or my) style.
I have been considering this class for a while myself. I am particularly interested in the dress form ideas, and the pants fitting. I think I am going to try my hand at Butterick’s B6071 trouser style pants. It’s a Connie Crawford pattern that I think would be great shortened for Bermuda style shorts too. Maybe a pant sewalong is in order? That would be a good topic to cover on the CSC.
That’s a very chic pant pattern. I think I will have to add that to my list. That definitely looks like a good option for shorts as well! We’ve discussed a pants sewalong for the CSC! I think it’s much needed. We will have to have a pants expert do that sewalong though, as I don’t think any of us are well versed at pants fitting.
I think it is a great idea. Especially if it was done the way the wrap dress is being handled where you can pick your own pattern. It would also give a great opportunity for guest tutorials on different types of pockets, flat felled seams, etc. It could be really great, and it is such a scary subject for most of us!
Great ideas, Alicia!
Thanks for the objective, honest review. I think that the “hide in your clothes” thing is generational. I notice that a lot on Pattern Review (which skews older demographically), where I’m an active member and learn a lot but have very mixed feelings about some of the attitudes on there. It sounds like there’s a lot of other useful info in the class, though!
I do think it’s generational. I’ve always read a lot in magazines about how to look better in clothing and a lot of it follows the “rules”, but just from personally trying on clothing and seeing how things fit other people with similar shapes, that just doesn’t always work.
I agree. And many of the rules contradict each other if your body deviates from the fashion “standard” in multiple ways (like most women’s bodies do). Like, if you’re both short and plus-sized, one set of “rules” will tell you one thing and another will tell you something completely different, but that’s a whole other post/rant. I learned that you just have to try things out and go with what feels good to you. Sewing blogs have been a HUGE help in helping me open my mind to styles that I didn’t think would work for me.
There are many things I never would have tried before I started reading sewing blogs!
So glad to see a review of this class. This was my first Craftsy class and I took it shortly after I started sewing because I was so nervous about having to alter patterns to fit my body. Like you, I didn’t always agree with her on ways plus-size women are supposed to dress, but I found her class so helpful. It made me feel brave and confident in approaching my pattern adjustments, and I find myself thinking “It’s not rocket science” all the time.
It took me a long time to figure out my body type. My measurements put me in the pear category, but looks more hourglass-y than a typical pear. I finally realized I was a Figure 8 shape (which is also sometimes called a spoon or skittle shape). It doesn’t change how I dress since I’m not super interested in figure flattery recommendations, but it’s been helpful in identifying some of the fit challenges that come with my specific shape!
Thanks, Anna! I think she’s a great teacher and she knows what she’s talking about! I have also read that I may be a spoon… it doesn’t seem very easy to figure out, even with a measurement calculator! A lot of figuring out what looks good on me and what doesn’t seems to be trial and error. It’s nice to see others with similar figures wear things and figure out if it will look good on me, too.,
I”ll give the peplum a go! And thanks for the review – the pants fitting part seems particularly good. I”ll just stick my fingers in my ears and go LALALALLA every time she suggests a black tent 🙂
Ah, Siobhan beat you to it by just a few minutes! There is a pant fitting class on there with Sandra Betzina that looks like it might be good, too, and I think it’s on sale. I know I just need to jump in with the pants and quite doddling!!!
Ooh Tanya, I’d love to get the pattern if it’s still going, thanks for the chance 🙂
Sure, Siobhan! Just email me your address to: tmphughes@gmail.com 🙂
Thanks so much Tanya! I forgot to write in my initial hurry, great review, it’s great to hear the good and the bad 🙂
You’re welcome!! I like reading reviews before I purchase something — especially when it’s something that costs $50 — so I figured it would be helpful to others. 🙂
Great Review! I wonder if I should try this one, I’ve taken the fast track fitting ones and they have so much information in them, kind of overwhelming for a newb. I had my husband help me with my measurements and he was way too generous, lol. I need to stop sewing knit dresses and try again.
Thanks, Brittani! This one does have a lot of information, but she explain it all very well and I find her methods very helpful. You can try taking your measurements in a mirror by yourself. That’s how I do it!
Thanks for the review! I agree that I haven’t been tempted by many craftsy classes, but one on fitting might be helpful. I’m definitely going to check out that book since, while classes are nice, I like to have something I can quickly reference while I’m in the middle of a project.
Let me know how that book is! It’s quite cheap on Amazon right now!
I took this class when I first started sewing and loved it. I felt like it empowered me since I no clue how fitting worked.
So,I love reading your blog because I feel like your body is most like mine. I never finished the top in the class. I know the peplum is supposed to flattering and all but it seriously made me look like 18 months pregnant. It’s nice to know I’m not the only one not loving peplums.
It is empowering to learn how to fit your body and that you can use whatever pattern you want regardless of size! Yeah, I love the idea of peplums and how they look on other people — but for me, no.