Pati Palmer teaches you how to tissue-fit a fitted and trouser-style pant. She covers how to get the tissue ready, accuracy, common alterations, fabric pin-fitting, and waistband fitting. Marta Alto shows you how to sew a fitted pant and a trouser, including invisible and fly zippers, two pocket techniques, pressing creases, a waistband with give and a non-roll waistband, lining, and invisible hems. Companions to the book Pants for Real People.

"Pants for Real People - Fitting" DVD Video $19.95

BACK TO THE MAIN VIDEO PAGE...

Companion Book:

Pants For Real People
Second Edition
$24.95

Forget the fitting shell! Toss the tape measure—after taking just one measurement! Now, with just the hip measurement and the help of the new Palmer/Pletsch book, Pants for REAL People, by Pati Palmer and Marta Alto, women of all sizes, shapes, and ages can try on the tissue-paper pattern to see how to fit the pants they sew. Tissue-fitting, a technique devised and perfected by Palmer/Pletsch over three decades of hands-on teaching, has never before appeared in print for pants. 192 pages.

  
  "Pants for Real People" (coil bound) $31.95      

 
"Pants for Real People" (USED first edition*) $15.95            

Pants for Real People, Sewing Techniques 
1 hour 25 minutes

A new interactive DVD from Palmer/Pletsch shows you how to sew great looking pants that flatter any body.    Marta Alto sews a fitted pant and a trouser, beginning with trying on her altered tissue to check it before cutting.  The goal of this DVD is not only to show sewing techniques for two styles of pants, but to show how you can fit yourself using hand-held and full-length mirrors" 

Pants for Real People - Sewing" DVD Video $19.95

MORE ABOUT THIS DVD: Marta starts with a fitted pant.  She shows how to prepare her fabric, pin the pattern to it properly, cut, and mark the darts.  She then demonstrates how to sew in an invisible zipper without any special zipper foot and using basting tape as a sewing aid.  After finishing the crotch seam, she shows how to pin-fit the pant.  This is important as the amount of ease you will want in a pant varies with the fabric. 

After fitting, Marta demonstrates the no-gap single-layer side seam pocket.  It is non-bulky and easy to sew for those of you who are pocket lovers.  Finally, for women whose waistline fluctuates during the day, Marta shows her own technique for a fitted waistband that “gives.”  She uses elastic, but ends up with what looks like a regular interfaced band with about 2" of stretch built into it.

 A trouser style has many more details, so Marta tries on her altered trouser pattern with all those pieces pinned together.   She shows how to stream-shrink wool at home on a padded pressing surface she made for cutting and pressing.  After cutting her trouser, she shows several ways to mark darts, tucks and the front crease-line.  She then sews the pleats, pockets and fly zipper before pinning the front and back together for a fitting.  Often, you need to take in the back crotch seam as whereas the pattern tissue is stable, the long back crotch area in fabric is bias and can stretch out.  She tries on the pinned pant and shows how to adjust the ease.

 Finally, Marta shows her new one-step waistband fitting method and how to sew a designer non-roll waistband complete with belt carriers.  She drops a lining into the pant and shows how to do an invisible hem in her beautiful wool crepe.

 The prerequisite to this DVD is Pants for REAL People FITTING Techniques where Pati Palmer shows you everything you need to know about tissue-fitting yourself.  And, the companion book which includes thousands of photos and line-drawings of even more fitting and sewing techniques is Pants for REAL People.  The book covers much more than the DVD, but some people learn better when they can first see something done live.  Also, unlike videos, you can go to where you want to in an interactive DVD.  It is quick to find where you want to review or stop and start if you are wanting to sew along with Marta.

 Marta Alto’s sewing experience stems from her study of home economics at Oregon State University, combined with several seasons sewing costumes for the Oregon Shakespearean Festival.  During the past 30 years she has taught others her no nonsense approach to sewing at major department stores, fabric stores, and for Palmer/Pletsch throughout the U.S., Canada, and Australia.  Marta is co-author with Pati Palmer of Fit for REAL People and Pants for REAL People.