DIY Design: Sizing Issues with Sewing Patterns

Sewing pattern instructions will generally include basic sizing information, including measurements for the bust, waist and hips, but, as we all know, there's much more to a garment than fitting than those three markers. Often those aren't even accurate (i.e. your top may be too small in proportion to your bottom and vice versa). Here are some tips for navigating the inconsistencies:
Check your dimensions first: pattern number sizing generally runs larger than ready-to-wear, so a storebought size 2 or 4 translates to a pattern size 10. It's critical that you take your measurements, or have a friend help you, and double-check them with the pattern measurement.
Multisize Magic: One great standardization of the big commercial pattern companies multisizing, where several sizes are drafted in one pattern, such as size 8, 10 and 12. Let's say your hips are a 12, while your bust is a 10. Draw a gentle curve on the pattern at the hipline area totransition the hips from a 10 to a 12.
Make a Muslin: The surest way to get a perfect fit in a pattern is to make a muslim which involves sewing the pattern in an inexpensive fabric that has a similar drape to your fashion fabric. Make the necessary adjustments to muslin so that it fits and transfer them to the pattern. It's a little time-consuming, but definitely worth it for special pieces. (For more on muslin, check out this .)