How to Check the Fit of Your Handmade Clothes

Why It’s a Game-changer for Confidence and How to Do It Right

There’s a very particular kind of magic that happens when you put on clothes that truly fit you.

Not “close enough.” Not “it’ll do.” Not “I bought it in the sale so I’ll make it work.”

I mean really fit you - clothes that understand your shape, that sit where they should, that let you move without pinching or pulling. Clothes that feel like they were made for you… because they were.

When that happens, something shifts.
You stand a little taller.
You move with ease.
You stop thinking about what your clothes are doing - because they’re doing their job perfectly.

That’s the power of good fit. And it’s not about vanity - it’s about freedom, confidence, and self-respect.

Why Well-Fitting Clothes Boost Confidence

When clothes don’t fit, you feel it all day. A waistband that digs in. A neckline that gapes. Trousers that twist when you walk. Each tiny discomfort is a little reminder that something’s “off.”

And here’s the kicker: so many of us blame ourselves for those issues. We think our bodies are wrong. We believe we’re “between sizes” or “hard to fit.”

But the truth is, the clothes are wrong - not you.

When you wear garments that are made or adjusted for your body, all that mental noise disappears. You stop tugging and adjusting. You stop wondering how you look from behind. You just get on with your day. That frees up headspace, energy, and confidence you didn’t even realise you were losing.

Fit Changes How You Move Through the World

Fit isn’t just about looks; it changes how you stand, walk, and take up space.

When clothes are too big, we tend to slouch or shrink into them. When they’re too tight, we hunch or round our shoulders to hide the strain. But when the fit is right? You stand taller. Your shoulders open. Your movement feels natural and unforced.

That change in posture changes how you feel, and how others perceive you. People notice something different, even if they can’t name it. 

It’s presence. It’s ease. It’s confidence without the performance.

The Trouble with “Standard” Sizes

Ready-to-wear clothing is drafted to fit a hypothetical “average” body, one that doesn’t really exist. Even if you find your “size,” it might fit in one area and be completely wrong in another.

That’s why dressmaking (or having clothes made for you) is such a superpower. You start with your shape, not a generic chart. You decide where the waistline sits, how much room you want at the hips, how high you want the neckline.

How to Check the Fit of Your Clothes – A Step-by-Step Guide

Knowing what ‘good fit’ looks and feels like is the first step towards achieving it. Here’s how to check your garments - whether you’re sewing a toile, trying on a finished make, or altering something ready-to-wear.

Step 1 – Prepare Before You Check Fit

• Wear the undergarments you’ll use with the garment.

• Mark key points on a toile (waistline, bust point, hip line, grainlines).

• Make sure you have good lighting and at least one full-length mirror (two is better).
  
  

Step 2 – First Impressions Matter

Stand naturally and notice how it feels. Is anything pinching, pulling, or gaping? Do you feel supported and comfortable? Sometimes your body will tell you something’s wrong before your eyes do.

Step 3 – Test the Fit in Motion

Real-life fit isn’t about standing still. Try sitting, walking, reaching up, and bending. The garment should stay comfortable and in place through all of it.

Step 4 – Check from Top to Bottom

Shoulders & Neckline – Shoulder seams should align with your shoulder point. Necklines should sit flat without gaping.

Bust – Darts should point to (not past) the bust point. Look for horizontal drag lines indicating tightness.

Side Seams & Waist – Side seams should hang straight. Waist should sit where you want it without strain or excess sagging.

Hips & Seat – Skirts and trousers should skim without pulling. Pockets should lie flat.

Length & Hem – Hems should be level and parallel to the floor.

Step 5 – Use the Squint Test

Stand back, half-close your eyes, and look for overall balance and smooth lines. It’s easier to see proportion and symmetry this way.

Step 6 – Read the Drag Lines

Horizontal lines = tightness.
Vertical lines = too much width.
Diagonal lines = pointing to the problem area.

Focus on lines that stay in place when you move - they’re the ones worth adjusting.

Step 7 – Photograph Your Fit

Take front, side, and back photos, and even a short video while moving. This shows you angles you can’t see in the mirror and helps you compare changes after alterations.

Step 8 – Decide What Matters

Not every wrinkle needs fixing. Prioritise changes that improve comfort, movement, and overall confidence.

Step 9 – Keep a Fit Log

Write down your adjustments so you can apply them to future makes. Over time, you’ll build a personal “fit library” that makes sewing for yourself easier and more successful.

📄 Cloth Cutter Fitting Log – Keep track of every fitting change.
 

Fit is Freedom

Wearing clothes that fit you isn’t about chasing perfection - it’s about removing barriers. When your clothes work with your body, you can walk into the world with confidence, ease, and self-respect.

So here’s your challenge: pick one garment and get the fit just right. Then wear it out. See how it feels. Notice how you move through the world. That’s the feeling worth sewing for.