Voila, a princess seam is formed, and the garment has a more personalized fit. Sandra Betzina is host of Sew Perfect on Home & Garden Television. Send e-mail to powersewingaol.com.

The following excerpt from “Sewing Basics” shows you how to alter a pattern to fit your needs. To alter a pattern is to change its structure so that the end garment will fit your particular body.

Maybe your size changed, maybe the style changed, or maybe your mood changed — but whatever the reason, you need to know how to alter bathing suits when they don't fit your body or mind anymore.

New sewing technology projects custom patterns onto material: 'Game changer' for making clothes at home Ditto, unveiled at New York Fashion Week, is the first evolution of paper patterns since ...