Blog News

Sure-Fit Designs Cruise Collection
Sure-Fit Designs Cruise Collection
A Christmas cruise is in the offing. It's a perfect opportunity to get to design and sew a coordinating cruise capsule wardrobe. Here's what I used to make my travel... Read more...
A Stress free Way of Dressing: Capsule Wardrobe by Sure-Fit Designs
A Stress free Way of Dressing: Capsule Wardrobe by Sure-Fit Designs
The Capsule Wardrobe Bundle! Experience a stress-free way of dressing with Sure-Fit Designs - Design & Sew Alongs with Glenda & Elsabe. A raglan top, dolman jacket and our CCS... Read more...
When is the obvious NOT the problem? with Glenda & Elsabe - Sure-Fit Designs
When is the obvious NOT the problem? with Glenda & Elsabe - Sure-Fit Designs
Sometimes things are not what they seem. What might look to be obvious isn’t always the cause of the problem. Watch this video by Glenda and Elsabe and see why... Read more...
FAQ's: Everything you wanted to know before getting started with Sure-Fit Designs by Glenda & Elsabe
FAQ's: Everything you wanted to know before getting started with Sure-Fit Designs by Glenda & Elsabe
It's been absolutely great to be shooting video with Elsabe Hurn from Sure-Fit Designs South Africa.  And it was well past time to give a face lift to our FAQ's... Read more...
Introducing the Narrow Seam Buddy
Introducing the Narrow Seam Buddy
If you sew with knits, this is the perfect tool for adding narrow seam allowances. It’s the Narrow Seam Buddy. This great drawing and designing tool from Sure-Fit Designs, is... Read more...
How to Divide your Crotch Measurement for Front and Back Lengths
How to Divide your Crotch Measurement for Front and Back Lengths
We have been re-doing some of our very original instructional videos on working with the Sure-Fit Designs pants pattern.  This particular video shows the easy process of  taking your total... Read more...
5 Common Mistakes in Pattern Drawing and How to Avoid Them
5 Common Mistakes in Pattern Drawing and How to Avoid Them
Elsabe Hurn (Sure-Fit Designs South Africa), offers a great video explanation of 5 of the most common mistakes we see when our SFD customers drawn their bodice blueprint.  She highlights... Read more...
The Perfect Fit!
The Perfect Fit!
One of our SFD customers, Caroline from Santiago Chile, is a perfectionist. And look at the results!  Caroline wanted her SFD Dress Kit bodice and skirt fit to be just perfect and... Read more...
Fun & Easy Color Blocked T-Shirt
Fun & Easy Color Blocked T-Shirt
Color blocking is super simple and easy to design into your sewing patterns.  Of course, you all likely know that color blocking is definitely back in fashion.  But do you... Read more...
Knit Tip - Hems...Hmmmm
Knit Tip - Hems...Hmmmm
A beautifully prepared and finished hem enhances the look of any garment whether working with knits or woven fabric. In this blog, I'll focus on knit hemming techniques. But because... Read more...
Large Upper Arm & Truing the Underarm Seam Allowances including the Elbow Dart – Sure-Fit Designs™
Large Upper Arm & Truing the Underarm Seam Allowances including the Elbow Dart – Sure-Fit Designs™
If you have a large upper arm, you will want to watch this informative video. #LargeUpperArm #SureFitDesigns #MeMade #PatternFitting #SewOver50 #GlendatheGoodStitch #TruingUnderarmSeamAllowances #BodyBlueprint Happy Sewing and Fitting! Glenda the Good... Read more...
Raglan Sleeve Fleece Jacket
Raglan Sleeve Fleece Jacket
Can you believe I made this on a hot summer day? I had been attending Yoga classes and the room was so cold all I could think about was wanting... Read more...
The Wrap Belt - a 'Made in a Day' project
The Wrap Belt - a 'Made in a Day' project
If you're looking for a unique and interesting belt accessory, there's no need to go further.  This wrap belt, which is closed with Velcro®strips  is fun and easy to design and... Read more...
Why is this happening? Truing the Shoulder Seam Allowances – Sure-Fit Designs™
Why is this happening? Truing the Shoulder Seam Allowances – Sure-Fit Designs™
Here is a video to help you true the shoulder seam allowances.  The more you learn, the more you know! Happy Sewing, Glenda the Good Stitch   #SewAtHome #SureFitDesigns #MeMade... Read more...
Meet the SFD Distributors & International Ordering from Sure-Fit Designs™
Meet the SFD Distributors & International Ordering from Sure-Fit Designs™
No matter where you are in the world, Sure-Fit Designs is here for you! We have several International distributors - please watch this 4 minute video and meet the team,... Read more...
Skirt Front -Dividing the Dart in Half & Repositioning Center Front – Sure-Fit Designs™
Skirt Front -Dividing the Dart in Half & Repositioning Center Front – Sure-Fit Designs™
 Watch Glenda the Good Stitch 'demystify' dart issues in this video - Dividing the Skirt Front Dart... and the effect on the Skirt Center Front position. #SewAtHome #SureFitDesigns #MeMade #PatternFitting... Read more...
Tip 10 Stop Fussing and Fiddling...Don't Over Fit! - What I Didn't Know But Wish I Had
Tip 10 Stop Fussing and Fiddling...Don't Over Fit! - What I Didn't Know But Wish I Had
Tip 10 – Glenda the Good Stitch discusses when to stop fiddling and fussing with your sewing patterns. Don’t over fit! We live, eat, breathe and move in our clothing.... Read more...
Tip 9 Truing & Perfecting Your Sewing Patterns: What I Didn't Know But Wish I Had
Tip 9 Truing & Perfecting Your Sewing Patterns: What I Didn't Know But Wish I Had
Tip 9 – See any issues, avoid any problems before cutting your fabric. Understand what truing your patterns is all about and why you do this step before cutting the... Read more...
Tip 8 Avoid those Seam Allowance Peaks! - What I Didn't Know But Wish I Had - Sure-Fit Designs
Tip 8 Avoid those Seam Allowance Peaks! - What I Didn't Know But Wish I Had - Sure-Fit Designs
#SewAtHome #SureFitDesigns #GlendatheGoodStitch#SewOver50 #SeamAllowancePeaks Tip 8 – Glenda the Good Stitch discusses seam allowances, how easy they are to add, and how to avoid the seam allowance peak. All in... Read more...
Your Seam Ripper: A Friend Indeed
Your Seam Ripper: A Friend Indeed
Like a good friend that’s always there for you, your seam ripper will see you through some rough times. I consider this an essential notion and make sure mine is... Read more...
Tip 7 What's the Best Order for Shoulder Adjustment? - What I Didn't Know but Wish I Had
Tip 7 What's the Best Order for Shoulder Adjustment? - What I Didn't Know but Wish I Had
Tip 7 discusses the correct order of making shoulder adjustments if you have more then one. Don’t miss our 10-part series What I Didn’t Know But Wish I Had. #SewAtHome... Read more...
Inseam Pockets (Almost Invisible)
Inseam Pockets (Almost Invisible)
If you check out your Sure-Fit Designs Pants Kit Master Patterns (Pants Back), you'll see a 'tear-drop' shaped Inseam Pocket pattern. 1. Copy the pattern on your tracing vellum. You... Read more...
Self-faced Patch Pocket
Self-faced Patch Pocket
As I’ve previously commented, pockets can be decorative, functional or decorative and functional. In this blog, I’ll deal with the patch pocket. These directions focus on functionality and construction of... Read more...
Pockets for Pull-on Pants
Pockets for Pull-on Pants
For more information and to visit the Sure-Fit Designs store, click here. Recently a customer brought up a good question.  When designing and sewing a pair of pull-on pants with... Read more...
Pick Your Pocket!
Pick Your Pocket!
(My apology...I'd give credit to the original source for this cute sketch, but can't find a reference.   If anyone knows, I'd be happy to give full credit to the illustrator.)... Read more...
Easy Front Inset Pocket in a Stretch-Woven Cropped Pant
Easy Front Inset Pocket in a Stretch-Woven Cropped Pant
I was given a remnant of fabric - just enough to sew a pair of cropped pants with an easy front inset pocket.  Since it was a stretch-woven, I did... Read more...
The Double Welt Pocket
The Double Welt Pocket
The welt part of a welt pocket is the narrow strip of fabric that forms the decorative and functional upper and lower lip of the opening for the pocket. Welt... Read more...
The Sure-Fit Designs Learning Center - new 'home' announcement
The Sure-Fit Designs Learning Center - new 'home' announcement
The Sure-Fit Designs Learning Center, which so many of you know, love and use regularly, now has been updated and lives in a new home.  Many customers say our Learning... Read more...
Tip 6 When to go Up or Down a Dot? - What I Didn't Know But Wish I Had – Sure-Fit Designs
Tip 6 When to go Up or Down a Dot? - What I Didn't Know But Wish I Had – Sure-Fit Designs
Tip 6 – Glenda the Good Stitch discusses overall ease distribution and when to go up or down a dot in relation to a larger (or smaller) front (or back)... Read more...
Tip 5 How Easy it is to Align Waist & Hip Darts - What I Didn't Know But Wish I Had-Sure-Fit Designs
Tip 5 How Easy it is to Align Waist & Hip Darts - What I Didn't Know But Wish I Had-Sure-Fit Designs
Tip 5 shows you how easy it is to align the bodice waist dart with the skirt hip dart using the Line Drafter in our 10-part series, What I Didn’t... Read more...
Tip 4 Choosing the Correct Bust Dart Size - What I Didn't Know But Wish I Had - Sure-Fit Designs
Tip 4 Choosing the Correct Bust Dart Size - What I Didn't Know But Wish I Had - Sure-Fit Designs
Tip 4 discusses the guidelines for choosing the correct width of bust dart for your bodice front pattern in our 10-part series What I Didn’t Know But Wish I Had.#SewAtHome... Read more...
Tip 3 Large Arm? Begin with Sleeve Pattern - What I Didn't Know But Wish I Had - Sure-Fit Designs
Tip 3 Large Arm? Begin with Sleeve Pattern - What I Didn't Know But Wish I Had - Sure-Fit Designs
Tip 3 discusses the topic of a large upper arm. If you have a bicep that required more ease than the sleeve pattern gives, you’ll need to widen the sleeve.... Read more...
When to go 'in-between the dots' with Sure-Fit Designs - Pt 2 What I Didn't Know But Wish I Had!
When to go 'in-between the dots' with Sure-Fit Designs - Pt 2 What I Didn't Know But Wish I Had!
Part 2 - What I Didn’t Know But Wish I Had! When you’re a ½ measurement number what do you do? Simply go in-between the dots.   Happy Sewing! Glenda... Read more...
Drawing Common Hip Shapes Part 5: the Addendum by Sure-Fit Designs™
Drawing Common Hip Shapes Part 5: the Addendum by Sure-Fit Designs™
The comparison and conclusion - all 3 hip shapes are laid one on top of the other so that you can really see the different outcomes side-by-side.  Sure-Fit Designs comes... Read more...
What I Didn't Know But Wish I Had! 8 Beginning Tips by Sure-Fit Designs
What I Didn't Know But Wish I Had! 8 Beginning Tips by Sure-Fit Designs
What I Didn’t Know But Wish I Had! A new 10-part series by Sure-Fit Designs™. Part 1 offers tips for planning, preparation and getting organized to draw your personal patterns.... Read more...
Diamond Shape Hips Pants Pattern Drawing – Part 3 by Sure-Fit Designs™
Diamond Shape Hips Pants Pattern Drawing – Part 3 by Sure-Fit Designs™
This is part 3 of our 5-part series on recognizing various hip shapes. Part 3 focuses on the diamond shaped hip – sometimes referred to as an ‘pear’ shaped hip.... Read more...
Straight Shape Hips Pants Pattern Drawing – Part 4 by Sure-Fit Designs™
Straight Shape Hips Pants Pattern Drawing – Part 4 by Sure-Fit Designs™
This is part 4 of our 5-part series on recognizing various hip shapes. Part 4 focuses on the straight shaped hip – sometimes referred to as an ‘rectangular’ shaped hip.... Read more...
Heart Shape Hips Pants Pattern Drawing - Part 2 by Sure-Fit Designs
Heart Shape Hips Pants Pattern Drawing - Part 2 by Sure-Fit Designs
Do you have heart shaped hips?  Do you struggle to get your pants to fit properly?  Follow Glenda the Good Stitch as she takes you through heart-shape hip identification, and... Read more...
Common Hip Shapes SFD Series
Drawing Common Hip Shapes – an Introduction by Sure-Fit Designs™
Know your hip shape.  Do you have a heart, diamond or straight shaped hip figure?  We are offering you a new 5-part video series on drawing the Sure-Fit Designs Pants... Read more...
Identifying & Fixing the Crotch Curve Blip by Sure-Fit Designs
Identifying & Fixing the Crotch Curve Blip by Sure-Fit Designs
What in heaven’s name is a crotch curve blip? This can happen on most pant crotch extension points. Glenda the Good Stitch identifies the issue, then discusses how to remedy... Read more...
Help! My Pattern Doesn't Fit - 6 Steps to assure pattern accuracy
Help! My Pattern Doesn't Fit - 6 Steps to assure pattern accuracy
If your finished garment doesn't fit you as well as you want it to or as well as expected, follow these 6 steps to ensure your pattern accuracy.  You may... Read more...
10 Steps for Sewing Success...says the Good Stitch!
10 Steps for Sewing Success...says the Good Stitch!
Start your New Year with my 10 Steps to Sewing Success! Have you ever wondered why your sewing projects just don't quite turn out the way you hoped they would? ... Read more...
Matching Notches! What are they for? How are they made? By Sure-Fit Designs
Matching Notches! What are they for? How are they made? By Sure-Fit Designs
What are sewing notches used for?  Why are they necessary?  Where do you locate them? How are they made?  Hear these questions answered in this short video on Matching Notches... Read more...
Reading the wrinkles - do you need a bigger bust dart? By Sure-Fit Designs™
Reading the wrinkles - do you need a bigger bust dart? By Sure-Fit Designs™
There are times when you'll need a bigger bust dart - the folds at the side seam will indicate when this might be your fitting solution.  Make sure to watch... Read more...
Basic Dress Transformed
Basic Dress Transformed
I see so many basic test dress muslins that it's a real treat to see a body blueprint transformed into a fashion dress. One of our SFD sewists (Caroline P.... Read more...
Where's My Waist? with Glenda the Good Stitch & Sure-Fit Designs™
Where's My Waist? with Glenda the Good Stitch & Sure-Fit Designs™
    Do you need a visual guide to find your waist?  Glenda the Good Stitch takes you on a visual tour of your waist area and what to look... Read more...
The Little Black Dress Sew Along
The Little Black Dress Sew Along
There is something about a fitted  'little black dress' that is tantalizing and that cannot be replaced in a colorful dress.  (London designer Roland Mouret states).  And as Christian Dior... Read more...
My Worst Sewing Nightmare – Glenda the Good (Bad) Stitch from Sure-Fit Designs
My Worst Sewing Nightmare – Glenda the Good (Bad) Stitch from Sure-Fit Designs
I was in total shock and horrified that I had let this mistake happen!  My serger ate the fabric and gouged a large 'V'-shaped hole in the body of the... Read more...
Sewing the Waist Button Tab
Sewing the Waist Button Tab
Remember the canary yellow pants? The designing instructions are found in the designing book Pants that Mix n Multiply  In this blog I'm going to discuss the details about how... Read more...
Cutest Bow Pocket...Learn How!
Cutest Bow Pocket...Learn How!
I had a SFD customer write to tell me how pleased she was with using the Sure-Fit Designs Children's Kit She designed and made these great fitting shorts for her... Read more...