The Sew/Fit Method with Ruth Oblander and Nancy Zieman



Years ago, a very talented Chicago seamstress went on a talk show and spoke about how professionals alter clothes to fit their clients. The talk show was flooded with calls from viewers wanting to know more. The seamstress, Ruth Oblander, decided to write a book about fitting for the home sewer and the Sew/Fit Manual was created. She hired a young woman who was a talented seamstress and as beautiful as a model - Nancy Zieman - to help her.

Thirty years later, the method is still widely practiced and the Manual continues to be a top seller at our website and with some top fashion and apparel schools. Nancy Zieman went on to run her own very successful business, Nancy's Notions and wrote Fitting Finesse based on the Sew/Fit Method.

The Sew/Fit Manual addresses some key points:
  1. How to take proper measurements of your body
  2. How to understand how patterns are made and how to properly measure a pattern
  3. How to use this information to buy the correct size pattern
  4. How to alter that pattern to fit your body with a pivot and slide method
With a little time and a little patience you too can make your clothes fit! This method works with any commercial pattern. Try it today with our books and DVDs at Hip Line Media!



7 comments:

Linda L said...

Interesting piece of history. I am a Nancy Z fan and this is cool to see her as a model.

Donna said...

Yes, great info and I love the photos. Ms. No/Fit is hilarious! Sadly, that's exactly how I looked for my 7th grade Home Ec end-of-semester fashion show. ha ha

Anonymous said...

This is so cool! I have the original manual from 30 years ago (I was 15) and just this week decided to dust it off and see if I can remember what was taught.

Do you have a tutorial DVD for the measuring and pivoting taught in the manual?

Anonymous said...

I forgot to ask--is there an update on Ruth Oblander?

Lori Petitti said...

Roxanne, there is a DVD for the pants fitting at our website, http://www.hiplinemedia.com
Ruth retired many years ago and I honestly don't know her whereabouts. But I'm thrilled and I'm sure she would be too that you still have the Manual!
Lori

Anonymous said...

Hi

My husband is related to Ruth Oblander. She died July 22, 2007 in Missouri. I came accross this blog while doing some research for the family tree.

CSR

Lori Petitti said...

Thanks for updating us on Ruth. I never had the pleasure of meeting her but only heard great things about her. Our best wishes to you.