SFD Super Index by Sara Gray

Some of you may remember Sara Gray (www.sewtogether.net) indexed the entire SFD fitting system and resources about 2 years ago. And of course, when we released the 2015 versions of each of the kits and instruction books, I asked Sara if she would be able to update the Super Index for you.

Sara very recently, found time amongst her many other business projects to do this for all of you.  She has once again used a spreadsheet (Excel), categorized, labeled and numbered every little piece of information and the design instructions found within the new SFD kits and books.  The front cover (Page 1) still looks similar, though one more useful EASE KEY has been added.  All you need to do is click here - http://www.sfdlearningcenter.com/FreeStuff.html to obtain the latest version of the SFD Super Index.  Just scroll down the page and you'll find both the 'old' as well as current Super Index.  The original index has been left on the website for the benefit of all our customers prior to March 2015 when the latest editions were released.

Here's what the new looks like:

For those of you reading this blog for the first time, who perhaps don't yet have this valuable SFD resource, this is just like trying to find a recipe.  You want Potato Salad - you go to the index and look up 'Salads' then follow alphabetically until you get to the 'P's'.  Your cook book either has a recipe for Potato Salad or not.

It's basically the same with the SFD Super Index (Sara's great name).  As an example: if you want to design and sew Yoga pants, you go to the general category 'Pants' then go alphabetically to 'Yoga'.  the Index tells you what resource to look in - in this case you'd go to the designing book - Pants that Mix n Multiply page 14.  If you want information on adding pleats to a skirt, go to 'Skirts', then to 'Pleated' and you'll see all the options available.

So here it is again and well worth your time to download this Index.  This really is a fabulous resource that is completely indexed and categorized for your easy reference.  There's a Color Key, Source Key, Info Key and now Ease Key, which Sara explains on page 1.

So if you haven't already downloaded your complimentary copy, just go to Free Stuff in the Learning Center and scroll on down to get your Super Index.  It will take the guesswork out of trying to find something you may just be looking for.

As my way of thanking Sara for her much-appreciated effort, I'd like to let you know about her newest available sewing project - the Tablet Prop-or-Go Pack-Prop-Protect project, which I believe is now a Craftsy project.  Please click here for the direct link to her Craftsy class.

SewTogether

P.S.  And while your at it, if you feel so inclined, take a moment to send Sara an email thanking her for diligence in producing this index and in sharing it with you. sara@sewtogether.net

Kindly,
Glenda...the Good Stitch!

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Planning Ahead - PPO

Project management, planning & organization (and thinking ahead).  As with any project, PPO is very important!  Unless, of course, you've already done it a million times before and you know the process inside out.  So when planning a sewing project, you kind of have to think it through on the front end.  Not just fabric you want to sew it from, but when you're designing from a your body blueprint (a sloper), you need to think through the entire project.

This is actually easier than it may initially sound, since the majority of you reading this blog already know how to sew.  The following are preliminary questions:

• What do you want it to look like?

• What are the dominant design features?

• What pattern pieces will be the major players - like fronts - back - sleeve?

• What pattern pieces are needed in the supporting role - like facings - plackets - collar - cuffs?

• What length do you want?

• How much ease do you want?

• Will it be sewn from a knit or woven fabric?

• How is it all going to go together - the sewing construction steps?

• Do you know of a garment in ready-to-wear (or perhaps one hanging in your wardrobe) that you can copy?

• Do you have an old commercial pattern somewhere in your pattern stash that can help?

To help you 'see your way' through the initial designing of a sewing project, we produced a video looking at what to evaluate when drawing and copying a ready-to-wear blouse.  Blogger cooperated this time and let me paste this video into the blog.  I hope you'll take the few minutes to watch my thought process and also where to get SFD resources to help you find the information you need for your desired sewing project.

Perhaps this will help you in designing your next project with your SFD body blueprint.  Whether it's a blouse (from the Dress Kit), pants or a dartless casual shirt (from the Shirt Kit) the information presented should assist.

Here's a photo of the finished blouse.   You know the old saying 'Practice makes perfect'... and though it's not difficult...it does get easier with each new project.

 

Yes, it's a sheer fabric, which I seldom wear.  And if you'd like to know more about working with sheers (and my sheer experience), make sure you reference these 2 short blogs:

http://surefitdesigns.blogspot.com/2012/09/sheer-experiences.html and

http://surefitdesigns.blogspot.com/2013/05/sheer-experience-revisited.html 

Kindly,
Glenda...the Good Stitch!

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Just a Reminder...

Many of you ask for help. And all of you know, or should know by now, that I am more than willing to offer input, suggestions and solutions for whatever your issue happens to be.

But...I do need to remind you that sometimes your verbal description of what is going on can be 'Greek' to me. You all know how it is so easy to mis-interpret what someone has written.

A picture really is worth a thousand words.

What am I talking about??? When you ask for help via email, please include a photo (or photos) of whatever your question is about. That way I have a better opportunity to evaluate your situation, figure out what you've done (some times I can...some times I can't) and offer suggestions.

There is a page on our websites dedicated entirely to our Customer Support. If you haven't yet run across this page, please click here - Customer Support.

If your question happens to be about the fit of your body blueprint, please make sure you have watched this video first.

Even though I'm demonstrating on a Pants pattern, the same concepts and general cautions also apply to all the Sure-Fit Designs master patterns. How you've drawn your pattern is extremely important.

In my fitting classes, I see all kinds of ways and attitudes about what someone thinks is accurate and how fastidious they are in taking care that the dots and connecting lines are accurate....and then I see others who also think the same thing, but the pattern reflects less attention to detail. This same lack of attention to detail is often reflected in their sewing technique, which of course can change the finished result. Please take your time. So many of you know that the pattern drawing process is truly easy to do and doesn't take much time, but you also know that attention to detail will affect the resulting fit.

And, if you are wondering about a particular style or design or process and wondering where the information is found within the Sure-Fit Designs system, please, please, please download this free Sure-Fit Designs INDEX (which was compiled by Sara Gray - a SFD customer).

Just go to FREE STUFF and scroll down the page. You'll see it. Sara did a remarkable job of indexing where all the information is found within the SFD fitting system materials. It's easy to read and easy to find what you're looking for. Please look here first. Then if you can't find what you're seeking, email me for help.

And last, but certainly not least, if you are wanting help with fitting suggestions or how to design something, you might likely just find the answer in the SFD Video Library - http://www.sfdlearningcenter.com/Video_Library.html or in the Article Library http://www.sfdlearningcenter.com/Article_Library.html

Each month I try to add at least one more video or one more article. I don't always have time to announce these in the newsletter (or anywhere else for that matter). But it really is worth your time to check back to these resources regularly to see if anything is new.

Thanks so much for continuing to be a loyal Sure-Fit Designs user and customer. I truly do enjoy hearing from you.




Kindly,

Glenda

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SFD Super Index by Sara

Way back when in the fall of 2013 - (doesn't that just seem like ages ago?) - in one of the SFD newsletters, I let all of you know that Sara Gray (www.sewtogether.net) indexed the entire SFD fitting system and resources.  Bless her heart...she felt she couldn't go ahead with her first muslin test until she knew where everything was located in all the SFD books, kits and leaflets.

Years ago we used to have an SFD Easy Find Index, but when we updated and digitized everything in 2010, that index was no longer relevant.  Sara set about indexing the entire SFD fitting system for herself.  She used a spreadsheet (Excel), categorized, labeled and numbered every little piece of information and design aspect of SFD where it was located and what kind of information you'd see if you went to that particular page/book.  And when she was done, she offered it to me to share with all of you!  Of course I proofed it to make sure everything was in it's proper home, but the bulk of the work is all thanks to Sara.

Here's what it looks like:

The reason I'm bringing the Super Index to your attention once more, is that recently a customer told me she didn't understand the index, what it was about, how to use it etc.  So for those of you reading this blog, who perhaps don't yet have this valuable resource, this is just like trying to find a recipe.  You want Potato Salad - you go to the index and look up 'Salads' then follow alphabetically until you get to the 'P's'.  Your cook book either has a recipe for Potato Salad or not.

It's basically the same with the SFD Super Index (Sara's great name).  As an example: if you want to design and sew Yoga pants, you go to the general category 'Pants' then go alphabetically to 'Yoga'.  the Index tells you what resource to look in - in this case you'd go to the designing book - Pants that Mix n Multiply page 14.  If you want information on adding pleats to a skirt, go to 'Skirts', then to 'Pleated' and you'll see all the options available.

Another reason I'm bringing this up is because when we introduced the new Collar Collection and 5th Edition Dress Kit Instruction book (Jan 1, 2014) Sara was willing to modify the Super Index to reflect the new designs and page changes.

So here it is again and well worth your time to download this Index.  This really is a fabulous resource that is completely indexed and categorized for your easy reference.  There's a Color Key, Source Key and Info Key, which Sara explains on page 1.

So if you haven't already downloaded your complimentary copy, just go to Free Stuff in the Learning Center and click on through to get your Super Index.  It will take the guesswork out of trying to find something you may just be looking for.

P.S.  And while your at it, if you feel so inclined, take a moment to send Sara an email thanking her for diligence in producing this index and in sharing it with you. sara@sewtogether.net

Kindly,
Glenda

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