Ahead of the Curve: Learn to Fit and Sew Amazing Clothes for your Curves
Order direct from Cashmerette to get a copy signed by Jenny!
Ahead of the Curve is the first sewing book to empower curvy and plus size sewists to feel body confident by sewing a wardrobe that fits. Don't change your body to fit your clothes—change your clothes to fit your body!
Ahead of the Curve includes 5 basic garments patterns, which includes a pair of trousers, a t-shirt, a sleeveless top and two dress designs. Jenny takes you through a series of "Fit Clinics"—tutorials and case studies demystifying the fitting process—showing you how to adjust these patterns to master the perfect fit for your body shape. Once you have got to grips with this, you can go on to customize your closet and create an unlimited array of fantastic clothes that celebrate your body. If you're curvy or plus size, trying to find clothes that fit and reflect your personal style can be incredibly difficult and frustrating. Plus size people so often feel excluded and like they can't express their personality through clothes. This book finally changes that.
This book will be mailed from the USA. If you are not based in the USA and would like to order from a local source, please check out this blog post.
Product information
SEWING LEVEL
Beginner and up.
SIZING
12 to 32, in three cup sizes (C/D, E/F, G/H). See Sizing Guide.
INCLUDED PATTERNS
- Honeybourne Dress
- Foxhill Dress
- Magna Pants
- Kersoe Top
- Stanway T-Shirt
PATTERN INFORMATION
The patterns come as printed patterns in an envelope at the back of the book. They are printed double sided and should be traced before use. The patterns are also available as digital downloads (in print-at-home and copyshop file versions, which work as project files), using a download code contained in the book.
FABRIC REQUIREMENTS
Fabric requirements for all the patterns are available here.
FORMAT
Soft cover, 192 pages
Learn More
Tutorials
- "Ahead of the Curve" hack: change the neckline
- "Ahead of the Curve" hack: changing length
- "Ahead of the Curve" hack: adding pockets
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Customer Reviews
I've been sewing for YEARS!!! This book clearly explains adjusting patterns, in a positive way that addresses special fitting needs. I've used this book repeatedly - both to learn more about Cashmerette patterns, and to work with big box patterns I've previously purchased. Thank you for sharing your insights!
MelRae in Tx, y'all
The book covers a variety of topics perfect for anybody who just does not have "the average" body, whataver that might mean to you. To me it means bigger breasts, a broader back, narrow shoulders and long arms, which basically means that I have never worn a proper fitting shirt or blouse in my entire adult life.
With this book I have learned to make a broad back adjustment, narrow shoulder adjustment, full breast adjustment and thus made my very first really good fitting dress.
It is well written, easy to understand even if you have no background in sewing whatsoever and the way Jenny writes about a fat body is just so refreshing!
It's not all "love your body" and I like that because, at least for me, that just does not work. I do not always like my body. But I do feel that whether I like my body or not, I deserve nice clothes that do not add to the dislike. My body deserves to be covered by clothes that are perfect for my body and this book will help immensely whit archieving that.
As a sewing instructor I have recommended Ahead of the Curve to students as a go to reference. In fact the shop where I teach started a meet up for folks who are using the book so we can help them get the most out of it. It is amazing to see people who have spent years struggling to find clothes that fit suddenly get that perfect drape. The instructions are clear, the patterns are beautifully drafted and the results are amazing.
Whilst there are some good patterns as part of this book, I find it to be an excellent reference manual for other projects. I am currently making a pair of trousers from another Indie Pattern Maker and although they are an inclusive maker, I experienced the usual groan when I tried on my first toile as I needed to do a Full Bum Adjustment, even though their measurements seemed to be able to accommodate my measurements (I have a 13 inch difference between my waist and my hips). I took a moment to think, have a glass of wine and Ahead of the Curve popped into my head. I took it off the shelf, went to the section on Full Bum Adjustments and there is glorious technicolour was how to manipulate the pattern to best fit me. I made up a second toile and now am cutting into preferred trouser fabric. Really, the whole Fit Clinic is worthwhile on its own, so get a copy if you really want to be able to develop your own sewing skills.
I used clothes to hide, they were unflattering and sack like. Since I have embraced my size and started making clothing that actually fit, I have so much more confidence and don't feel like I'm hiding anymore!