Check out how Doris Poosner can simplify which body type should consider which styles and accessories. Once you know what style and shape you want to wear, consider having something custom made. Two of my favorites are Peggy Lutz Plus and Astarte . Check out Interactive Customer Clothes Company . Check out the Land's End Web site to try it out.
Seamstresses charge by the time required to complete the garment.
So, the more you can do to start with the right size pattern, the fewer the alterations and the less the price. To increase your chances of a great fit, consider using one of the army of seamstresses across the U.S. who are using the Living Soft software, which creates a custom pattern based on a lot of different measurements and angles. Check out the Living Soft Web site for more info. For those of you who prefer the low tech, old-fashioned paper pattern seamstress, shop through the wide assortment of larger size patterns at the Full and Sassy Pattern Boutique . Ask for referrals at the local fabric shop.