Tutorial: How To Do A Petite Bodice Adjustment 

This is such a life changing video! I was having an issue that I didn't even know the name of, and now not only do I know what it is, I know how to fix it. Thank you for making these videos, you are really helping those of us who are learning to sew on our own. :D

How does it feel to change the world? Your mom and sister have to be proud of you. WOW am I glad I found your channel earlier this year, before the pandemic started. I am so grateful for this whole tutorial from start to finish. I especially love that you put it in a video by itself. You are my sewing hero.

I'm 5'8"....I'm a pair of legs with a head stuck on top....thank you for making this video....when I sit down I'm short....

Whitney, thank you so much for this tutorial. I have the same issues, but couldn't figure out how to fix them. There aren't many people teaching pattern adjustments for petite issues. My other big issue, (it's 2023 now) is how to fix all the high waisted pants and low hanging crotch seams. I wish designers would also draft petite patterns. Anyway, thanks for your content.

I wish I had known this was a thing when I went back to sewing during the first lockdown. I am very short waisted but always just thought I was thin from back to front and have fixed by making things more narrow. I described an issue in a forum about a fabric hump at my back. Turns out to be a length not width problem. *facepalm* To my delight when I went searching for a tutorial, yours was my first hit. :) This adjustment is going to change my world for fitting. No more gaping necklines! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I watch and enjoy your videos. I am going caution you against making your videos too slick, and buying machines most don’t own. A good example of this is April Wilkerson’s woodworking channel. She is adorable, and I loved her channel three years ago. Gradually she got sponsors and learned more. Now she has a 10,000 sq ft wood shop and every high end tool you can imagine. And now she works on projects that do not interest me. It is kind of a fine line. The homey-ness of channels like yours is what appeals to me. You have a wealth of knowledge to share. Today’s video is a good example, the camera angle is wonky, but what you are teaching is excellent and clear, and very helpful. I just ran across a problem with this, the dress I made, no muslin, was astonishingly long in the bust! I think this will help me adjust the cute, but weird pattern. 8 )

Thank you so much! I'm 5 ft tall and this is something I will do now that I know how. I LOVE when you show how to do fixes and adjustments to get a better fit.

My 4'11" body thanks you!

Like the bangs, very cute.

I like that you showed the 'symptoms' and then what needed to be done to correct it. Tfs

You really just gave me a gigantic light bulb moment! This explains and corrects so many of the fit issues I've been having on tops! Thank you!

Really useful and I think, being 5’2 this could solve a lot of my problems. Thank you!

Yep. After watching this adjustment, I understand the reason I have problems with fitted bodices, finding myself steering away from those designs. I won’t NOW. I have Simplicity S8910 on my table, AGAIN. My first attempt failed so Whitney showed me what to do to fix my problem. Yeah! Thank you, Whitney. ~ 😃 ~ L

Great explanation!

I always enjoy your adjustments as I have a very similar figure. I always have to adjust my patterns. Lol

I have been watching your channel almost from the beginning - and really enjoy both the social and learning elements. I am quite small and the adjustment I find I need is for narrow shoulders (reducing the width from shoulder cap to shoulder cap). I have just about worked this out on a standard pattern, but am completely baffled for those styles that have a yoke - and so many patterns do.... If you were able to show how this should be done, I really would be most grateful. Thank you. Cathy.

This has be. So incredibly helpful! Thank you so much!’

Always interesting to see the finessing of patterns for fit xxx

That was an amazing demonstration....your muslin fits so much better. Thank you so much for making this a separate video. I looking forward to seeing the finished dresses, I bet they are beautiful

Hi Whiteney, your tips are always so helpful but it will take some time fot me to get the hang of doing it. It is easyer for me to learn by wathing a few times.

Thanks for The petite adjustment I'm 4' 11" so I helped so much with my Rhapsody blouse! I never thought about it until you mentioned it in your daily vlog.

Yea!!!!! Looks great. Wonderful explanation.

I loved this video. I have been watching a couple of months. Can’t wait to try this. I am 5’1.Thanks from Texas.

Brilliant. I watch all your videos ‘cause I like you. And as you’re explaining the adjustment I realize, I need this one! Never occurred to me before and I’m off to try it right now! Thanks so much.

Thank you...am 5'4.5" with a short (aging😃) torso, narrow shoulders, and D cup so these petite adjustments are very helpful!

That was brilliant, thank you . I’m 5ft3” and have to take things up on the shoulders. I hadn’t thought about reducing it through the bodice,. You so helpful. Love your videos 👍🏻😘

Morning Whitney, awesome exactly what I need. Thank you. Val🇨🇦🇬🇧❤️

I'm pleased to see the muslin, my mom is 4'8 inches...thanks!

Whitney your muslin bodice fit is just perfect ... what a brilliant tutorial 🧵😘

I do not make a petite adjustment, I usually add to that area and I am only 5’4”. I did learn tips on smoothing out and truing cut lines! Thank you so much.

Absolutely amazing result! WOW…..

As I think back on various garments, me-made and ready to wear, I understand why they were so uncomfortable and ill-fitting. Thank you so much for teaching this technique.

I've realised over time that I have a short upper back and I usually take out 1 inch below the arm scye and then add it back to the hem so the front and back pattern pieces matched up. However I also get some gaping at the front on dresses and tops so thank you for this tutorial - I'll be trying it out on my next make instead of the upper back adjustment!! 👍👍

Whitney. What a difference that adjustment has made. It fits you perfectly. Clever gal! Thank you.

Thanks so much for this! You always explain things really well.

Thanks so much Whitney, absolutely crystal clear, much appreciated. All the best.

Thank you for this tutorial. I am 5'2" also and need to do this. This sleeve explanation was very helpful. I have enjoyed seeing your new color story, as I am the same coloring as you. What a difference the colors make! Love the orange/red on you and the greens too! You asked about DBP fabrics. I love sewing with them. They are warm, but I am usually cold in air conditioning anyway. I have made tanks, long sleeved and 3/4 sleeve tops and leggings. Very stretchy and good recovery. Great in the cooler months. I don't think I would go for a walk in the summer with DBP leggings. I don't usually leave comments, but watch you everyday. Thanks and keep up the good work!

Thank you so much for this totorial I've been waiting for this I to work on a pattern. I love that you talk about your day, and how it's going I think we all can relate to each other that way. We all have more things in common than the difference we might have. 😍

This tutorial was so helpful, thank you. I always have to shorten straps 1 1/2" but now I will do a petite adj.😉 Your muslin fit so good!

First time on your channel so pleased as I now know how to tackle a problem I have had for so long,

The visual of you doing the pattern adjustments is so incredibly helpful ... Thanks!

Thank you Whitney . This is something i need to do and the Bicep adjustment . had me worried about the sleeve cap for a minute lol but turned out fantastic

Thank you so much Whitney. I am 5ft 2 in and new to making adjustments and you made it so easy for me. I have big bust and gaping at the neck has always been an issue for me. A lot of the explanations about making adjustments always leave me confused. Again thank you ☺️

I'm plus size, 5'8" with a large bust and high waist, and I need to take around an inch or more out of my bodices overall to get them to sit properly. I get gaping necklines and saggy straps, pooling across the back, all of it. I only recently figured out taking out length above the bust rather than just cutting off the top of the shoulder and overlapping at the lengthen/shorten line. I have definitely shortened sleeveless RTW clothes by shortening the straps a ton, and I always have to tighten spaghetti straps about as tight as they go. Thank you for walking through this adjustment!

Thank you so so much. This will really help me and my sewing. I'm 5 ft and have a 34G bust so this has been very relevant to me. Many thanks!

Thank you for a great tutorial, this is definitely what I need on nearly all my garments. I’m only just over 5ft and most certainly short waisted. Such a great tip, petit adjustments here we come 😊

Thank you so much for this tutorial! I'm also only 5'2'' with a full bust and this has solved one of my biggest fitting issues.

Wha a hairy subject! You dove into it and pulled off beautifully! Congratulations! I hope there wasn’t too much editing or refilming. Thank you so much!

This is exactly what I need ! I'm always taking it up in the shoulder, fortunately everything has turned out well even though I never have adjusted the sleeve cap probably because I have narrow shoulders

Thanks so much for this tutorial. I am 4'10" with a large bust. This is going to help so much!

This is sooooo helpful! Thank you. I'm 5 ft 6, like your sister, but I think I need this! Excited to try it out!

I was sent to this video from my Dorothy's Daughter Facebook sewing group. I cannot say thank you enough for this video! This is the problem that I have been having for 2 years, causing me all kinds of trouble with my FBA, armscye and side darts. I am also 5'2" and a D cup. I cannot wait to try this technique on all of the patterns I have given up on!

Wow I’m holding my breath all the way threw thinking me doing this turned out great love this thank you .. I need to go to a sewing school !by the way you are a great teacher!, now a days as we get older and the body changes we loose the young cute body we use to have and our minds try to fool us we still got it (lol) our minds stay young and the body gets old.for some of us so we need adjustments everywhere.. Great job love your videos wish I had a friend that could teach me these. That’s why I love your videos

Thank you , thank you , thank you. I am 5’2” and I have been so frustrated with gaping around the neck line. Wonderful tutorial. Identifying fit issues and altering required can be so hard when trying to learn at home. Love your videos! Peace

Wonderful fit! You are amazing.

This explains why the neckline on a nightgown I recently made was gaping so much (I'm 5' 2"). Next time I make the pattern, I will use this technique. Thank you!

Thank you for this video. I am also 5ft2in and have similar fitting issues. Haha I decided to make myself a top without making a mock up first and realized that was a mistake lol. I am going to try these adjustments and hopefully it helps on the next one. :)

Thank you so much for this. I am 5’7” with a very short torso and long legs. Now I know why my necklines always gape in RTW and me-made clothes. I am so grateful for this explanation and solution

Very helpful, thanks!

I just used this in an Itch to Stitch Davina. I made a "wearable muslin" and took the plunge by hacking the pattern before sewing. I cut out 1/2 inch in the upper chest, 1/2 in the bodice, and 1/2 in the waistband. It was also risky because I didn't do a FBA (34D). But it came out great! Raising the shoulders made the v-neck hit perfectly, and put the bust point in the right place naturally so it fit better. And the back is a smooth line too. This was a huuuuge accomplishment in sewing clothes that actually fit, so thank you very much. IDK if it will end up effecting sleeve fit in future patterns, but I see myself doing this adjustment all the time and going from there.

Thank you for this 😍

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Thank you Thank you!

Great video. I am 5’ 4”, short waisted with long arms and legs so I need this.

Well done. Thank you.

I'm 5'2 with a bra size 38 D, so... I have alot of work to do each and every time I sew something for myself. This has been so helpful, thanks!

So helpful!

Thank you! Great tutorial. I too am 5’2” and have noticed if I pull up the bodice of a store bought top or dress as much as 1” at the shoulders the garment fits better. So your petite adjustment tip is something I believe I can use on my patterns for my sewing projects. I love to sew, but fitting adjustments can be so frustrating.

Yeeees! I need these tutorials! On an unrelated note, what is that gorgeous lipstick you’re wearing? 😍

So great thx

Thank you. Great.

Thank you.

This was awesome! I’m really enjoying catching up on your videos, Whitney. I haven't sewn clothes for myself in a long time and can’t wait to start thanks to you and Kim (Dorothy’s Daughter)🤗❤️. I've almost always had to make a shoulder adjustment on ready mades because the armhole was too big or the neckline wasn’t laying flat. I'm also 5’2” so the bodice adjustment will be so helpful when i finally start from scratch with a pattern. If i may ask, …..I’m having trouble choosing a pattern size. At the moment I wear a size 16 -18 garment. According to a McCall sizing chart , I need a 24W pattern. i know its just a number but the package only holds 2 sizes variances (ie 24/26), and that’s such a big jump. I want to also try the PDF patterns but if I don’t print in layers, I don’t know what size to choose. Can you or any of your subscribers please give me an idea of where to start? I would appreciate it so much. Stay safe and healthy.. Hugs, Lola🤗 from Ontario🇨🇦

This was very helpful! Will you also explain how to correct darts? This tutorials are so good. Thank you!!

Well done! Thanks for making petite adjustment videos. I'm sure they help taller ladies also. I just don't understand why pattern companies don't add lines (on the bodice and sleeves) for this adjustment and for the waist to hip adjustment (with lines on the pocket pieces). Why not? If they want people to use their product why not make it easy?

Excellent you are so clever! I signed up as a follower maybe i'll relearn some things and I know I'll learn something new like I did today

Perfect.

Love this tutorial. Makes a petite adjustment so easy! If I also have to do a high round back adjustment, would I do the petite adjustment first? Thank you again for these informative tutorials!

Like so many other commentators said this is a really, really helpful tutorial!! Thank you for doing it. Would you have the time to follow up and make a muslin of what you just did and show us how the fits you? Thanks again.

This was a very helpful video! I'm 5 ft 4 3/4 inches (I'll take all the height I can get!) but need this petite bodice adjustment because EVERY top is too big on me!

Great tutorial once you see it being done it looks achievable...I hope 🤣. Whitney I wonder if you would mind letting me know which make of tracing paper you use. I can’t find anything that looks like yours and I think it looks good for tracing patterns off as well as altering patterns...many thanks xx

I wish I'd seen this before I made my frugal frock bodice but I don't have enough fabric to cut again. I made several adjustments but not like this! I'm going to make another basic bodice pattern I think, as I'm just under 5 foot and plus size so nothing ever fits right. Thanks and I hope I see more of this type of vlog.

This is great. Thank you for the tutorial. I think by the way my purchased clothing fits that I also need a full bicep adjustment. Do you have a tutorial on that? Thank you again.

I really appreciate your channel so much, especially during this time of social isolation. This is kind of a basic question. I understand the importance of making a muslin and want to be more diligent at doing it. To me the term implies that it would be made from a woven, cotton type fabric. But I know from experience that the same pattern made in different fabrics can affect the fit quite a bit. So when you make a muslin should you choose a fabric a lot like the actual fabric you want to use, or does a woven muslin-like fabric work better? Thanks for your help.

As always great tutorial!! Just getting back into sewing after many years. One question...where do you buy your tracing paper? Love your channel!

I love everything about your videos, they are so helpful. I'm a nurse by trade but I picked up sewing as a pandemic stress reliever and I enjoy it so much. This tutorial is great as I'm 5'2 and I'm short everywhere 🙃. My question is how would you know whether you need a petite adjustment for a pattern (without making a muslin, I really don't like making muslins). Thank you!

This was super interesting, thank you! Any chance you are able to show how to alter a ready to wear dress that needs this adjustment? I have several dresses with sleeves that I really need to take up in the shoulder, but I imagine it would involve removing the sleeve, etc. I haven’t found a tutorial for this yet! I love the way you explain things though!

This is the tutorial I've been looking for forever! Thank you. Do you use a dress form and, if so, what do you use? I've never bought one because of the problem of it being too long shoulder to bust....

This is so helpful! Any tips for making a similar adjustment with princess seams?

I'm 5' 5.5" and find my neck to waist measurement is always at least 2 inches shorter than the pattern, I've been cutting a wedge out of the CB to nothing at side seams as I need the front longer to cover a full bust. Love your videos.

If you have a dropped shoulder and are hollow in the front between the shoulder and where you would measure For a full bust, would that require a petite adjustment. Love the channel and all of the different topics.💕

Thanks for this video. It reinforces the adjustment I have been making since I am 5"3". However, I have a problem with the sleeve then fitting into the armhole. The sleeves always seem to be too large and I have puckers to deal with. Any suggestions as to how to readjust the sleeve to fit the armhole smoothly like yours did? I have tried several things, but it seems it's always a problem. Thanks a bunch.

Hi, I am brand new to your channel. This tutorial is *really* helpful, and explains why nothing ever fits! I tried this on a muslin, and it worked beautifully. Do you have any tips for how to apply this adjustment on a bodice with princess seams in front and back? It's a bit more tricky applying this to multiple bodice pieces? Grateful for this video and any other suggestions you have.

Hi excellent tutorial, I learned a lot. When you say you have to work on your darts on the muslin what do you do. The reason I ask my darts always look like that, I don't know how to improve the look. Thank You

I'm so happy I found this tutorial! I'm using the technique on a cardigan that is drafted for a (sewing) C cup /5' 7" tall person; my measurements are -A cup /5" 4" and I reduced the upper bodice by 1/2 inch. However, the sleeve poses a dilemma. The pattern is for a slightly dropped-shoulder style and the sleeve cap is already SO short/flat that I'm very hesitant to reduce it another 1/2 inch for fear there will be NO cap. Is there a way to slash and overlap either side of the sleeve between the notches so the sleeve will fit the reduced armscye? Thank you SO MUCH! xo

I am 5"8 and I need to add 2"length below my bust and do a small petite bodice adjustment .My niece is just like you ( Short and curvy ladies are called pocket-venuses where I live.)

Hi, can you tell I’m working my way through your library? ;) Thanks for these. I learned something from Karina recently that I’m trying with the I2S Seychelles top. It worked in the muslin I hope it works with the real fabric. I’ll soon find out. Anyway, Karina has a trick with using a piece of paper with a line half the width of your neck lined up with center front then you extend the shoulder seam line to the line, make a mark and then measure from there to the reference lines on your pattern. You’ll know then how much you might have to lengthen or shorten and where. Pretty neat trick I thought.

Loved your video, can this alteration be done on a finished dress? I just bought a dress that has this problem, I'm hoping it can be altered

great tutorial I am 5'4'' and the bodices never really fit quite right especially in the back - thanks for this will see if these adjustments will solve the gaping neckline in the back and loose necklines in the front - How would you adjust a raglan sleeve bodice using this theory and method? TY

This is wonderful, thank you! At 5’ I know I need this adjustment. Can I ask a question please? I also need a full bust adjustment and so far only use patterns which have a full bust piece, but I still get a gaping armhole. I am wondering if the petite adjustment will eradicate this? Tbh I have almost given up, I can sew but fitting a 5’, 42” bust , narrow shouldered, too large tummied body is a nightmare!

Did the sleeve fit in as you redrew it? It seems the armhole may be too small underneath the arm. But I haven’t tried it yet. Also, did you increase the curve at the cap when you made your muslin, as you mentioned? This is the adjustment I have been needing! Also, I haven’t understood transferring the pinned adjustment back to the flat pattern. You showed that so clearly. Now I think I can make the adjustment so patterns /garments will fit so much better!