I like sewing my own clothes because ready-to-wear options rarely fit me well. I have a long torso, and my waist and hips measure almost the same—so anything fitted either rides up, pulls in strange places, or hangs like a box. Shopping is beyond frustrating.
Sound familiar?
If you’ve ever felt discouraged in a fitting room, I can tell you from experience: learning how to alter patterns and adjust fit is life-changing. When your clothes fit your actual body—not a standard size chart—you feel more confident, comfortable, and polished.
I’ve been sewing since my teen years, and most of my fitting knowledge came through trial and error. I’ve unpicked more seams than I can count. Over time, I learned which silhouettes flatter my shape and how to tweak patterns for length, waist placement, and shaping, but it took years.
I wish I’d had The Fitting Book by Gina Renee Dunham when I was starting out.
She sent me a copy to review, and I’ve been slowly reading through it. It would have saved me so much time and so many fitting headaches.
About Gina Renee
Gina graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City and worked in both high fashion and activewear before becoming a freelance patternmaker. After moving to Germany, she launched her own pattern line, Gina Renee Designs, and now focuses on teaching fit through courses and educational resources.
What I appreciate most about Gina is that she doesn’t just tell you what to fix, she shows you how to fix it.
What Makes The Fitting Book So Helpful
This isn’t a fluffy overview of fitting theory. It’s practical and specific.
The book walks you step-by-step through:
Armhole adjustments
Neckline adjustments
Waist adjustments
Sleeve adjustments
Lengthening and shortening
Full and narrow adjustments
And so much more
You can read it cover to cover to build a strong foundation—or keep it nearby as a reference guide whenever you run into a fitting issue.
One of my favorite sections explains how to identify draglines vs. bubbles and what those wrinkles actually mean. Instead of guessing, you learn how to diagnose the problem and apply techniques like the slash-and-spread or slash-and-close method with confidence.
It’s easily the most comprehensive fitting guide I’ve come across, and I would consider it essential for anyone ready to move beyond beginner sewing.
If you’re serious about sewing garments that look professional and feel amazing, this book belongs on your shelf.
You can find paperback copies on Amazon and digital versions on Etsy. With nearly 500 positive reviews on Amazon, it’s clear I’m not the only one who finds it invaluable.
Gina says, “You deserve to have clothes that fit well and make you feel great.” I couldn’t agree more.
Even after years of sewing, I still learned something new. And that’s saying a lot.