The Phila. Users' Group has morphed into Phila. ASG's new Custom-fit Software SIG, whose members are committed to making computers and software programs do the work of custom-fitting garments...so the sewists can concentrate on designing and finishing really special garments.

In mid-summer, the 12 meeting attendees ranged from a visiting "guru" through experienced C-fS users to several real novices. Some brought slopers to critique and measurements to prove, others had computer questions, nearly all had garments finished or in-process. A tweak here, a change to some vital measurement inputs, and/or the collected wisdom of experienced users moved each individual's project closer to successful completion.

Moving into its fall schedule, the group set dates and tentative programs for the next several months:

Tuesday, Sept. 12, 10:30 am to 3:30 pm in St. Davids: on-going review of projects (slopers, "wearable muslins," daily-wear clothes, "special-occasion" projects); discussion of the software programs members own and the demos offered at these companies' websites:

DressShop from Livingsoft.com
Garment Designer from Cochenille.com
Pattern Master from WildGinger.com
My Pattern Designer from mypatterndesigner.com

Sunday, Oct. 15, 1:30 to 4:30 pm in St. Davids: special weekend meeting, following a "measurement special" on Saturday, Oct. 14, also in St. Davids. Two of our "gurus," working as independent contractors, will do for-pay measurements and, if desired, slopers for people getting started with custom-fit software:

Selma Whitaker (SWhita6apa@aol.com) measures for DressShop and My Pattern Designer
Doris Schappel (doris@schappell.com) measures for Pattern Master

Anyone wanting to be measured should email one of these ladies directly and make personal arrangements about schedule and cost. (Marj Jensen supplies only the location in St. Davids.)

Tuesday, Nov. 14, 10:30 am to 3:30 pm in Warminster: Bucks County meeting site more convenient for northern PA and NJ sewists.

Tuesday, Dec. 12, 10:30 am to 3:30 pm in St. Davids.

The C-fS SIG welcomes all who are interested, whether or not you own any custom-fit software, stare at the demos on-screen, lurk in on-line discussions, actually put together C-fS garments...or haven't a clue about how to use C-fS software. Meeting directions available on request.