Jenny RushmoreAhead of the Curve: Learn to Fit and Sew Amazing Clothes for Your Curves

For those of us in the US, I have ordered my copy on Amazon, but yesterday got the Kindle version (which I think might come handy for following step by step at the sewing machine on an iPad or computer). I just want to say, the photos are beautiful and the writing is so clear and powerful (introduction). I have highlighted sections and forwarded to my daughter. Jenny outdid herself with this. Not only is it an invaluable resource for fitting, it is an amazing treatise regarding body positivity. I so wish I would have had access to this language and thought process when my daughters were growing up. And for myself, I have been sewing forever, but I quit sewing my own clothing when I gained a lot of weight during a time of emotional stress. I have been sewing more for myself recently (without having lost weight), but making effort to love the body I have enough to dress it well. I deserve it. We all do! Jenny's book is the Bible for guidance!

First, the book itself is beautifully made. The paper is nice and thick, so I worry less about accidentally ripping a page in a book meant to be a working tool. Gorgeous graphics and photos.Second, this book uses terminolgy that a new(ish) sew-ist can understand. I've read many alteration books and my eyes go cross eyed trying to learn a new language/ terminolgy. I find the description of making changes easy to understand.Third, THANK YOU!! Thank you for writing a body positive book about changing your clothes to your body. Thank you for creating patterns for big boobs!! I have so many patterns that I never got around to using because I didn't understand HOW to make alterations.Fourth, I made my first muslin!! I'm so hopeful to make alterations that will make me feel good wearing clothes that properly fit my body curves. Normally at this stage I'd be super disappointed and throw the whole thing away. So its confident boosting to have an attack plan.Fifth, I gave this book 5 stars because I LOVE this concept. However, I've been confused with the measurement charts. Page 173 might have some typos. Bicep measurements start at 39.5 inches to 41.75 inches. When other bicep measurements are listed 12.5 inches to 22 1/8 inches. That's a big difference.Last, I wish that the high bust measurement was listed on all patterns. I'd feel more confident about choosing the correct size to cut out. I'm going to have faith and go from there. Also, thank you for the measurement calculator tool on your website. Please stay in business for-ev-er.Thank you for giving me hope!! Thank you for being big boobs experts!! I'd give the Cashmerette team great big hugs, if I could.

Awesome training-like book on fit and pattern adjustment. When someone writes a book like this and teaches you the how a d why of sewing pattern adjustment you find out that it is just not that difficult. And just because you are not able to look like you want in ready to wear garments, you don’t need to give up on sewing your own. Great book!

A book that should have been written hundreds of years ago. Great job on all the explanations of dealing with our body bumps. The information is important and needed for so long. The care to address self view to be positive is wonderful. The adjustments to patterns for different belly’s shapes, different biceps, hip curves , back curves is lacking in most all sewing books. A must have book.

The author took such care with this book and it's contents to help all of us make clothes that we feel good in and that for us exactly how we want them to. I'm so extremely grateful for the book and the community surrounding it. The best I've ever read on the subject. If you want to make clothes for yourself and want to be in control of how something fits and feel good about it? Get this book!

This book is so well done - and it comes with patterns! Jenny has made garment fitting accessible for all of us by doing the hard work and then providing clear, easy-to-follow instructions. I will use this for the rest of my life. Thank you!!!

I have been a fan of Cashmerette patterns for many years and pre-ordered this book. It is such a fantastic resource for common fit adjustments. Plus they use the included patterns to illustrate how to apply those adjustments. I haven’t made any patterns yet, but the Stanway shirt is the one I plan one making as my next project.Thank you Jenny and the Cashmerette team for such a wonderful book and patterns!

God Bless Jenny Rushmore for finally addressing the issue us curvy girls who sew need help with: fitting the flat pattern to your curvy body. The tips and techniques in this book are spot on, and she gives them to you with illustrations to make sure you'll understand. In spite of the fact that I hate tracing out patterns, I'm glad that she uses them to teach the skills she is demonstrating. So, not only do you learn a technique you need to know, you also have proof that it works and something new to wear that fits perfectly! Love this book!

Great concept, great photography, great content and clearly a LOT of hard work…but why, oh why are there still silly errors in it? I’ve only done one adjustment so far (flat bum) and I’ve come across an error.Instruction 4 (on p130) refers to ‘half the length you want to ADD’ (instead of remove)I know that on the surface this is only a minor thing but when your brain is already trying to figure out the instructions and diagrams, translate that onto your pattern piece, figure out what number line you’re cutting and what half-measurement you’re checking having an error such as add when it really means remove (!) is just extra cognitive conflict that your brain doesn’t need.

It is a book about adjustments to patterns with a toile/mockup to fit your unique shape. The book is colourful, with lots of reference pictures, well explained and come with 5 pattern (2 tops, 2 dresses and one pants). So far I made the Kersoe top and the Magna pants with few adjustments (shorter top and wider calf for the pants). They come out AMAZING - I am new to sewing, with few failed attempts on my back and a feeling I won't get there. So glad I didn't give up. 😊

I was really looking forward to receiving this book, and after receiving a rather dog eared copy yesterday, Amazon sent a much better replacement today. This book is a dressmakers dream, and is geared towards fuller figures. Jenny has included illustrated examples and explanations about why items may need to have pattern tweaks and then carefully explained how to do them. She is a natural teacher and is neither condescending nor negative in her instructions. The patterns included are all items I would wish to sew and make the most of the beauty in fuller figures. There isn’t a tent in sight! Thank you Jenny. You rock!

Fabulous book, has really helped me to identify what’s causing the fit issues with garments I have / have made, and how to rectify them in my pattern cutting. The dress I’ve made from it is the Honeybourne dress (neckline altered from scoop to sweetheart) and I was able to perform a full bust adjustment and a full bicep adjustment with the aid of the excellent instructions in the book. The 5 patterns included are excellent (as are all Cashmerette patterns - I mean come in, they have cup sizes bigger than a B cup which is a HUGE benefit!) and I must say the Cashmerette sewing community on Facebook as well have been so helpful and supportive with my sewing projects. Loved this book so much I bought a second for my sister, who although an keen sewist never makes clothes for herself because she’s sick of patterns being designed for ‘the perfect 10’ - she was overjoyed to see women who represented her body shape in this book, making sewing for herself seem achievable, as was I! Go for it, and join the Facebook group while your at it!

If, like me, you've ever struggled to get clothes to fit because of the fluctuations in shop bought sizing, this is your new life saver! If you've ever struggled to decipher those clothes adjustment techniques that seem like trying to decode the enigma machine then stop looking elsewhere and buy this. I can't tell you how much of a game changer it is. Simple to understand with clear explanations and photo guides, it really is genius.If all that wasn't enough, there are 5 patterns in there to try your new techniques on. Absolute game changer. Don't even hesitate, just buy it!!!