Hi Jennifer, I have determined (I think!) I need a forward head adjustment and a forward ball of shoulder adjustment. In all that I have read/watched the advice is for the shoulder seam to sit on top of the shoulder and not be seen from neither the front nor the back. I’m confused how to accomplish this since my head is forward and there doesn’t seem to be a way for it to not show from the front! Thank you!
:) The exact position of the shoulder seam is really a personal preference thing... It's actually a style line. I've designed tops where it sits very forward on the front of the shoulder.... The goal is not really the position of the seam itself, it's more about having enough length in the back to reach a forward neck and ball of shoulder ... and less length in the front so your shirt doesn't pull to the back. The shoulder seam can sit on your shoulder were it looks attractive. ...and more importantly, you want to make sure it's not too long (or too short)... so the sleeve will sit properly on your arm. Let me know if this helps! Thanks for fitting along with me
It's common for someone to need both of these adjustments... You can do them in which ever order you like because they are independent of each other. Thanks for fitting along with me
These adjustments are interesting to see, Jen. My mother-in-law is in a wheelchair now and has extremes of both of these issues. Her current clothes are very ill fitting so I should try sewing her a top with these adjustments. Thank you for covering these issues.
Thanks for the great explanation! 🥰 I've tried a lot of things to optimize my shirts or dresses that move up the front. Unfortunately with little success. 😏 I had not found a neck pulled forward to date, except just here! 😃 I'll test that right away to see if that's the solution! I'm excited about the videos and information and try to review the earlier ones soon as well. 😊 Thanks, Andrea 🇨🇭
I love the challenge of garment sewing, and did great when sewing kids clothes, but I've never been thrilled with anything I've made for myself. The idea of altering patterns was very overwhelming. I have learned so much from watching your videos, that I've started to branch out and make alterations. I started with FBA, and then moved to shoulder slope. That adjustment helped a bit, but not everything. So next, I'm going to try rounded back/forward shoulder and see if I'm even happier with that result. Just wanted to say thank you for sharing your knowledge and talent!
I'm so excited that you're sewing for yourself!! Think about fitting like this... The most effective ways to adjust any garment starts by getting the key areas into the proper position vertically first. Then you work on the ease of the garment. When you're fitting a bodice start at the top (the shoulders)... Make sure the shoulder seams are sitting on your shoulder properly... Then you go down... how is the armhole... then the position of the bust dart, position of waistline and finally hem. This way you adjust from the top because it affects everything below. (If you started with the bust dart then up to the shoulder, you might have to rework the bust dart.) After you've got everything in the right place vertically, it's time to start working on adjusting the ease. Hope that helps!
@JSternDesigns It definitely helps. Where I struggled is what to look for. So when your videos show what a forward neck looks like, I can compare that to my shape. I didn't know where the shoulder seam was supposed to sit. Or what is a comfortable armhole opening. I also have one shoulder higher than the other. Fit for Real People says to use a shoulder pad, but wouldn't it be better if the shirt fits my body? So, anyway, I will keep watching your videos and learning!
How do you know how much to adjust for the forward neck if this is done before a muslin? Again, I am so very thankful for your videos and all you time and effort you put into them!! I bought your workflow bodice PDF, subscribed, and joined your discord. I am a fan!
Thank you for fitting along with me!! These "before you make your muslin adjustments" are really more about customizing the pattern to your shape before you start in fabric to fit the pattern. For the forward neck, you can use the position of a close fitting back neckline as a gauge... Notice how much lower the CB neckline is sitting from the base of your neck.... You can also see how much you need to pinch out in the front of there's extra vertical ease hanging out at CF right below the front neckline. Then when you make your fit muslin, you'll have the opportunity to fine-tune the fit. Hope this helps! Thanks again!
This was excellent! I so appreciate the more advanced ideas that you post. Also I was unfamiliar the "seam method". I have a book that shows it and I put it in the attic because it confused me so much, I got mad at it :D.. So thanks for that.
:))) Go get that book and play with the "seam method"... Just like any method, some times it's the easiest way to adjust something... and some times Slash & Spread or Pivot Slide is better! Thanks for fitting along with me
The light gray cutting board is my SewTites Magnetic Cutting System that you can use the booster magnets to hold things securely Here's a link to my Cool Tool video showing how to use it ua-cam.com/video/RxJWuadtKbw/v-deo.html The big white mat that covers most of my work surface is a Big Mat from the Big Mat Rotary Cutting Surface Company. I LOVE it... Here's a link to their website: bigmatrotarycuttingsurface.com/index.html (If you like to spend money and support really nice small businesses, both of these companies are run by amazing people!) Thanks for watching
I have extreme front-rolled shoulders from a lifetime of side skeeping. No alterations have solved the problem, but some very lightweight, thin fabric shoulder pads corrected the drag lines from ball of shoulder to bottom of sleeve.
Thank you for sharing this! In extreme cases, sometimes changing the shape of the shoulder with a shoulder pad works better than trying to change the shape of the garment. Thanks for fitting along with me
You can do that... but I have found that adjusting the pattern pieces within the pattern where you need the extra or less length works better. Usually, I add a wedge/trim a wedge to push the shoulder seam to the center of the shoulder if the shoulder seam is not sitting square on the shoulder in situations where there is not a forward ball of the shoulder. Thanks for fitting along with me
I'm loving your videos1 One question, how to you adjust for both a forward ball of shoulder and a forward neck position? Anatomically speaking, it seems like those two issues would go together. At least they do for me!
It is true that both the ball of your shoulder and neck are sitting forward of the rest of your shoulder. It's also true that you can have a neck that's square on your shoulders with a forward ball of shoulder or vice versa. :) Thanks for fitting along with me
Yes, you may need to adjust both ends of the shoulder seam if you have a forward neck and a forward ball of the shoulder! Pick one, adjust for that, then do the other
Omg this is amazing! Thank you! Can you please explain - how would you know which one of these two adjustments you might need? I suspect I might need both. Would these adjustments help with a problem of the shirt slipping backwards and raising at the front? Is that a symptom of needing one or both of these?
In her separate videos in each of these, she explains what are the symptoms of needing that respective fix. Your symptom sounds like what she describes in the forward head video.
:)) Take a look at your side view. If you neck is sitting forward of your shoulders, you have a forward neck... I agree with @JG-fl2ph that it sounds like this is your situation. Shorten the front neckline/shoulder and lengthen the back neckline/shoulder. Thanks for fitting along with me
I attempted to do the forwarding ball of shoulder to front bodice, but when I pulled down the paper and taped it down, the pattern did not lay flat like in your example. The pattern didnt spread at shoulder tip but overlapped. Is it because I did it with a full size pattern? What did I do wrong?
Ohhh sorry about that. This method that I shared is a little "Fussy" on the front shoulder. You can achieve the same result in the front by marking the amount you want to "shift" the front shoulder (to remove excess length) down along the armhole and then draw a new shoulder edge by connecting the mark to the original shoulder seam at the neck. For example, if you want to remove 1/2" , measure down 1/2" from the tip of the shoulder along the front armhole.. Then draw a straight line from the mark to the shoulder seam at the neckline. :) Hope this helps, Thanks for fitting along with me
If anyone watching this video works on multiple projects at a time and is worried they would fill up a page but need more room, I suggest using a binder or a disc notebook so you can reorganize the pages. I also would recommend for everyone you record what size you are making
Thanks for sharing this organizing tips!! It is really important to label your pieces so you know what they are, what size they are and what you did to them!
@@JSternDesignswhat a nice reply! This accidentally posted on a different video than the one I meant it to, so that explains why it's not actually relevant to the content. It was a sewing video though!
Yes I have As we age, our shoulders and neck can slide forward (usually caused by a deepening curve of the upper spine).. This exact thing has happened to my Mom. I have to lengthen the back on both ends of the shoulder seam to get her tops to fit right. Thanks for watching!
Thanks as always Jen! I recall watching another forward ball of the shoulder adjustment in which you changed the curve of the sleeve cap-increasing it in the front and decreasing it in the back. Do you no longer recommend this approach? Also, what would you say is the maximum amount of adjustment? I think I need the max, and possibly the forward neck adjustment as well.
I found that walking the sleeve to adjust the position of the shoulder notch is effective to get the sleeve to fit the new shape of the armhole. In extreme cases, you may need to change the shape of the cap. I think the "max" that you can do this adjustment is dictated by how much you need to move the shoulder seam... You may end up with a wonky looking pattern... but if you need it to get the garment to sit right on your... then yay!
@@JSternDesigns Thanks! I did a 5/8’th of an inch adjustment and I think that was good. I could really see and feel the difference. I moved the shoulder notch, but then my sleeve gathering was not balanced-too much gathering in the front, almost none in the back. I redid it, putting the top of the sleeve back in line with the shoulder and that balanced it out. Perhaps it was the particular pattern I was using-the Cielo blouse by Closet Core? The sleeve is set into the side seam well below the underarm. In the end I decided this style was not the best for me. I will try it again with another pattern.
I’ve been watching these shoulder adjustment videos and they are great. I have a question though. I think I have a foreword neck and shoulder ball joint. Can I take a picture of my profile and send it to you to get your opinion?
I seem to need to bring the back neck point AND the shoulder point forward about 1/2”Would it be wise to do both the forward shoulder and a forward neck adjustments?
That depends.... If you need to move the shoulder seam to center it on the shoulder, you can simply add to the back shoulder and trim the front shoulder to shift the seam. If both your neck is sitting forward of your shoulders and the ball of your shoulder is also sitting forward, then you need these adjustments :) Hope this helps, thanks for fitting along with me
I believe that you can tell if it's a forward ball of shoulder by your bra strap has a gap at the front. You can put your fingers under the strap. Moulded bras don't work as you just "float" in the cup. Sigh...50 years of hairdressing haven't helped!
Yes, checking the fit of your bra can help you identify if you have a forward ball of your shoulder! Thanks for sharing this & for fitting along with me!
Hi Jennifer,
I have determined (I think!) I need a forward head adjustment and a forward ball of shoulder adjustment. In all that I have read/watched the advice is for the shoulder seam to sit on top of the shoulder and not be seen from neither the front nor the back. I’m confused how to accomplish this since my head is forward and there doesn’t seem to be a way for it to not show from the front!
Thank you!
:) The exact position of the shoulder seam is really a personal preference thing... It's actually a style line. I've designed tops where it sits very forward on the front of the shoulder.... The goal is not really the position of the seam itself, it's more about having enough length in the back to reach a forward neck and ball of shoulder ... and less length in the front so your shirt doesn't pull to the back. The shoulder seam can sit on your shoulder were it looks attractive. ...and more importantly, you want to make sure it's not too long (or too short)... so the sleeve will sit properly on your arm. Let me know if this helps! Thanks for fitting along with me
Thank you Jennifer! 😊
Thanks for the video. How would you combine these adjustments?I need a forward head and a forward shoulder.
It's common for someone to need both of these adjustments... You can do them in which ever order you like because they are independent of each other. Thanks for fitting along with me
These adjustments are interesting to see, Jen. My mother-in-law is in a wheelchair now and has extremes of both of these issues. Her current clothes are very ill fitting so I should try sewing her a top with these adjustments. Thank you for covering these issues.
My mom's neck and shoulders have slipped forward too. So happy this helps you! thanks for watching
Thanks for the great explanation! 🥰 I've tried a lot of things to optimize my shirts or dresses that move up the front. Unfortunately with little success. 😏 I had not found a neck pulled forward to date, except just here! 😃 I'll test that right away to see if that's the solution! I'm excited about the videos and information and try to review the earlier ones soon as well. 😊 Thanks, Andrea 🇨🇭
My pleasure!! I'm so excited that you're jumping in! Thanks for fitting along with me
I love the challenge of garment sewing, and did great when sewing kids clothes, but I've never been thrilled with anything I've made for myself. The idea of altering patterns was very overwhelming. I have learned so much from watching your videos, that I've started to branch out and make alterations. I started with FBA, and then moved to shoulder slope. That adjustment helped a bit, but not everything. So next, I'm going to try rounded back/forward shoulder and see if I'm even happier with that result. Just wanted to say thank you for sharing your knowledge and talent!
I'm so excited that you're sewing for yourself!! Think about fitting like this... The most effective ways to adjust any garment starts by getting the key areas into the proper position vertically first. Then you work on the ease of the garment. When you're fitting a bodice start at the top (the shoulders)... Make sure the shoulder seams are sitting on your shoulder properly... Then you go down... how is the armhole... then the position of the bust dart, position of waistline and finally hem. This way you adjust from the top because it affects everything below. (If you started with the bust dart then up to the shoulder, you might have to rework the bust dart.) After you've got everything in the right place vertically, it's time to start working on adjusting the ease. Hope that helps!
@JSternDesigns It definitely helps. Where I struggled is what to look for. So when your videos show what a forward neck looks like, I can compare that to my shape. I didn't know where the shoulder seam was supposed to sit. Or what is a comfortable armhole opening. I also have one shoulder higher than the other. Fit for Real People says to use a shoulder pad, but wouldn't it be better if the shirt fits my body? So, anyway, I will keep watching your videos and learning!
Thank you.
Such great detail.
You're very welcome! Thanks for fitting along with me
How do you know how much to adjust for the forward neck if this is done before a muslin? Again, I am so very thankful for your videos and all you time and effort you put into them!! I bought your workflow bodice PDF, subscribed, and joined your discord. I am a fan!
Thank you for fitting along with me!! These "before you make your muslin adjustments" are really more about customizing the pattern to your shape before you start in fabric to fit the pattern. For the forward neck, you can use the position of a close fitting back neckline as a gauge... Notice how much lower the CB neckline is sitting from the base of your neck.... You can also see how much you need to pinch out in the front of there's extra vertical ease hanging out at CF right below the front neckline. Then when you make your fit muslin, you'll have the opportunity to fine-tune the fit. Hope this helps! Thanks again!
Great info as usual!
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching
This was excellent! I so appreciate the more advanced ideas that you post. Also I was unfamiliar the "seam method". I have a book that shows it and I put it in the attic because it confused me so much, I got mad at it :D.. So thanks for that.
:))) Go get that book and play with the "seam method"... Just like any method, some times it's the easiest way to adjust something... and some times Slash & Spread or Pivot Slide is better! Thanks for fitting along with me
When you use a cutter tool on your pattern, what is the surface below that has a grid on it?
The light gray cutting board is my SewTites Magnetic Cutting System that you can use the booster magnets to hold things securely Here's a link to my Cool Tool video showing how to use it ua-cam.com/video/RxJWuadtKbw/v-deo.html The big white mat that covers most of my work surface is a Big Mat from the Big Mat Rotary Cutting Surface Company. I LOVE it... Here's a link to their website: bigmatrotarycuttingsurface.com/index.html (If you like to spend money and support really nice small businesses, both of these companies are run by amazing people!) Thanks for watching
I have extreme front-rolled shoulders from a lifetime of side skeeping. No alterations have solved the problem, but some very lightweight, thin fabric shoulder pads corrected the drag lines from ball of shoulder to bottom of sleeve.
Thank you for sharing this! In extreme cases, sometimes changing the shape of the shoulder with a shoulder pad works better than trying to change the shape of the garment. Thanks for fitting along with me
Couldn’t you just add a wedge to the back and remove it from the front?
You can do that... but I have found that adjusting the pattern pieces within the pattern where you need the extra or less length works better. Usually, I add a wedge/trim a wedge to push the shoulder seam to the center of the shoulder if the shoulder seam is not sitting square on the shoulder in situations where there is not a forward ball of the shoulder. Thanks for fitting along with me
I'm loving your videos1 One question, how to you adjust for both a forward ball of shoulder and a forward neck position? Anatomically speaking, it seems like those two issues would go together. At least they do for me!
I have both problems also. So I ‘m very interested in the answer. Thanks Jen for all the information.
Me too!
It is true that both the ball of your shoulder and neck are sitting forward of the rest of your shoulder. It's also true that you can have a neck that's square on your shoulders with a forward ball of shoulder or vice versa. :) Thanks for fitting along with me
So it is possible to be needing both and to do both at once?
Yes, you may need to adjust both ends of the shoulder seam if you have a forward neck and a forward ball of the shoulder! Pick one, adjust for that, then do the other
Omg this is amazing! Thank you! Can you please explain - how would you know which one of these two adjustments you might need? I suspect I might need both. Would these adjustments help with a problem of the shirt slipping backwards and raising at the front? Is that a symptom of needing one or both of these?
In her separate videos in each of these, she explains what are the symptoms of needing that respective fix. Your symptom sounds like what she describes in the forward head video.
:)) Take a look at your side view. If you neck is sitting forward of your shoulders, you have a forward neck... I agree with @JG-fl2ph that it sounds like this is your situation. Shorten the front neckline/shoulder and lengthen the back neckline/shoulder. Thanks for fitting along with me
I attempted to do the forwarding ball of shoulder to front bodice, but when I pulled down the paper and taped it down, the pattern did not lay flat like in your example. The pattern didnt spread at shoulder tip but overlapped. Is it because I did it with a full size pattern? What did I do wrong?
Ohhh sorry about that. This method that I shared is a little "Fussy" on the front shoulder. You can achieve the same result in the front by marking the amount you want to "shift" the front shoulder (to remove excess length) down along the armhole and then draw a new shoulder edge by connecting the mark to the original shoulder seam at the neck. For example, if you want to remove 1/2" , measure down 1/2" from the tip of the shoulder along the front armhole.. Then draw a straight line from the mark to the shoulder seam at the neckline. :) Hope this helps, Thanks for fitting along with me
@@JSternDesigns Thank you for responding. That helped a lot.
If anyone watching this video works on multiple projects at a time and is worried they would fill up a page but need more room, I suggest using a binder or a disc notebook so you can reorganize the pages. I also would recommend for everyone you record what size you are making
Thanks for sharing this organizing tips!! It is really important to label your pieces so you know what they are, what size they are and what you did to them!
@@JSternDesignswhat a nice reply! This accidentally posted on a different video than the one I meant it to, so that explains why it's not actually relevant to the content. It was a sewing video though!
Jenn this was my question. This is super helpful. Thx so much. Have u ever seen someone needing to do BOTH of these adjustments?
Yes I have As we age, our shoulders and neck can slide forward (usually caused by a deepening curve of the upper spine).. This exact thing has happened to my Mom. I have to lengthen the back on both ends of the shoulder seam to get her tops to fit right. Thanks for watching!
Thanks as always Jen! I recall watching another forward ball of the shoulder adjustment in which you changed the curve of the sleeve cap-increasing it in the front and decreasing it in the back. Do you no longer recommend this approach? Also, what would you say is the maximum amount of adjustment? I think I need the max, and possibly the forward neck adjustment as well.
I found that walking the sleeve to adjust the position of the shoulder notch is effective to get the sleeve to fit the new shape of the armhole. In extreme cases, you may need to change the shape of the cap. I think the "max" that you can do this adjustment is dictated by how much you need to move the shoulder seam... You may end up with a wonky looking pattern... but if you need it to get the garment to sit right on your... then yay!
@@JSternDesigns Thanks! I did a 5/8’th of an inch adjustment and I think that was good. I could really see and feel the difference. I moved the shoulder notch, but then my sleeve gathering was not balanced-too much gathering in the front, almost none in the back. I redid it, putting the top of the sleeve back in line with the shoulder and that balanced it out. Perhaps it was the particular pattern I was using-the Cielo blouse by Closet Core? The sleeve is set into the side seam well below the underarm. In the end I decided this style was not the best for me. I will try it again with another pattern.
I’ve been watching these shoulder adjustment videos and they are great. I have a question though. I think I have a foreword neck and shoulder ball joint. Can I take a picture of my profile and send it to you to get your opinion?
You you can... jsterndesigns37@gmail.com ...and thank you for following along with me!
I seem to need to bring the back neck point AND the shoulder point forward about 1/2”Would it be wise to do both the forward shoulder and a forward neck adjustments?
That depends.... If you need to move the shoulder seam to center it on the shoulder, you can simply add to the back shoulder and trim the front shoulder to shift the seam. If both your neck is sitting forward of your shoulders and the ball of your shoulder is also sitting forward, then you need these adjustments :) Hope this helps, thanks for fitting along with me
I believe that you can tell if it's a forward ball of shoulder by your bra strap has a gap at the front. You can put your fingers under the strap. Moulded bras don't work as you just "float" in the cup. Sigh...50 years of hairdressing haven't helped!
Oh that’s super helpful. Thx tons
Yes, checking the fit of your bra can help you identify if you have a forward ball of your shoulder! Thanks for sharing this & for fitting along with me!
Hello
:) Hello!! Thanks for joining me