What you will learn
What is involved
What you need to know
What you can do next

Pattern Fit

Course Overview

Learn how to adjust sewing patterns to create garments that fit your body more comfortably and confidently in this practical sewing workshop for adults. Using hands-on tissue fitting techniques, participants will learn how to alter commercial dress, skirt and blouse patterns to suit individual body shapes and personal style preferences.

Designed for students with basic sewing skills, this course introduces the Palmer/Pletsch fitting method using McCall’s fitting patterns. Participants will learn how to identify common fitting issues, make pattern adjustments and improve garment fit through tissue fitting and fabric fitting techniques.

Guided by an experienced tutor, students will develop practical sewing and fitting skills while building confidence working with commercial sewing patterns. The course encourages participants to better understand body shape, pattern sizing and garment construction in supportive adult learning environments.

Whether you are frustrated by ready-to-wear clothing, looking to improve your sewing skills or interested in creating custom-fit garments, this course provides practical knowledge and creative confidence for lifelong sewing projects.

Macquarie Community College operates from a range of venues across Northern and Western Sydney. We have campuses in Blacktown, Carlingford, Chatswood, Epping, Mt Druitt, Richmond, and Ryde. Enrol now!

Learn more about this course

What you will learn

Course outline

Students will learn to alter a fitting shell pattern to fit their own unique shape using the Palmer/ Pletsch fit method.

  • Introduction to fit
  • Measuring and how to ascertain correct size
  • Pattern preparation for fitting
  • Tissue fitting – the bodice
  • Tissue fitting – the skirt
  • Pattern adjustments for a good fit
  • Layout and cutting of fitting shell or garment
  • Fabric fitting
  • Construction of fitting shell or garment (if time permits)
  • Variations on the basic pattern

Course Outcome

By the end of this course, participants will be able to adjust commercial sewing patterns to achieve a more comfortable and personalised fit for dresses, skirts and blouses. Students will gain confidence using tissue fitting techniques, performing common pattern alterations and creating garments suited to their individual body shape and style preferences.

Participants will also develop practical sewing and garment fitting skills that can be applied to future dressmaking and pattern fitting projects.

What you need to know

Entry Requirements

Students will need to have basic sewing skills.

What you need to provide

Comfortable, easy to change out of clothes and a well fitting bra. You may like to wear/ bring a camisole and leggings or tights to wear during fitting.

  • A box of fine, large head pins in a magnetic pincushion
  • Tape measure
  • Soft lead pencil
  • Red and green fine felt tip pens
  • Two rolls of 12mm Scotch brand magic transparent tape
  • Weighted table tape dispenser
  • Paper scissors
  • Gridded plastic ruler (eg quilters), plastic ruler or dressmaker’s square
  • 6mm elastic to tie around your waist
  • Note pad and pen
  • Palmer/Pletsch or similar gridded pattern tissue (from Lincraft, Spotlight or online) or white gift wrap tissue. Greaseproof paper is too stiff.
  • Mc Calls pattern 7279 (multi size) or 2718 in your size (a course requirement)
  • Butterick 5627 is an alternative if the above patterns aren’t available.
  • Additional dress or bodice/skirt patterns to tissue fit.
  • Calico or plain, cheap, woven fabric to do a fabric fitting shell. Yardage required is listed under Dress (fitting shell) on the back of the pattern envelope.
  • A basic sewing kit (scissors, reel of thread, unpicker etc) is also required.
  • Sewing machine and manual

Optional books “Fit for Real People” by Pati Palmer and Marta Alto OR The Palmer Pletsch Complete Guide to Fitting.

These are useful reference book and is available from www.palmerpletsch.com and www.booktopia.com.au You may also find it at Spotlight, Lincraft or Ebay.

Determining Pattern Size

Measure around your bust (around the fullest part of the bust and straight across the back) and your chest (directly under the arms straight across the back and above the bust). Select the pattern size according to your bust measurement. If there is more than 5cm difference between your bust and chest measurement, use your chest measurement as your bust measurement.

SIZE 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26

Bust 75 78 80 83 87 92 97 102 107 112 117 122

The pattern can be purchased at Spotlight or Lincraft (it may need to be ordered) or online from:

Coming soon

Classes for this term have finished. New classes are coming soon.

Please call 1300 845 888 and our team will help you with enrolment.

Contact us

Delivery Mode

To meet the needs of our students Macquarie Community College balances delivery and engagement across permanent, regular and temporary delivery sites and offer face-to-face, remote zoom classes and self-paced learning options.

Ways to Study

  • On campus

Our college campus locations are:

    • Blacktown
    • Chatswood
    • Carlingford
    • Epping
    • Ryde
    • Mt Druitt
  • Virtual classroom
  • Complete workplace training
  • Combine ways to study

FAQ

How you got questions? Please see our comprehensive FAQ page for everything you need to know about Macquarie Community College, our policies, student support, application and enrolment procedures.

How to Enrol

Step 1 - Choose Your Course

  • Select the non-accredited short course you are interested in.
  • Find a day and time that suits your schedule.

Note: Enrolment is open to anyone 18 years or older.

Step 2 - Enrol and Verify

  • Click ‘Enrol Now’ after selecting your course and schedule.
  • Enter your details on the enrolment page.
  • Verify your email through a secure link sent to your email address.
  • Complete the secure checkout and payment process.

Ensure you read the Terms and Conditions available at: Macquarie Community College Terms and Conditions. For assistance, call customer service at 1300 845 888.

Step 3 - Receive Your Enrolment Details

  • You will receive an immediate enrolment confirmation email upon successful enrolment. Check and read the attached Terms and Conditions.
  • The payer of the enrolment will receive a tax invoice immediately after processing.
  • You will receive a course reminder email a day before your class begins.
  • For Online Zoom classes, a Zoom link and password will be emailed the day before class. Use the same link and password for subsequent sessions if applicable.