Tried the Aldrich Method and Got a Bad Fit? Here’s Why

Have you tried drafting your own custom block using Aldrich's method — only to be disappointed with the fit, even though you used your own measurements? You're not alone. In this video, I break down all the hidden assumptions built into this drafting system — assumptions that can make it difficult (or even impossible) to get a good result if your body doesn't match the standard figure it's based on. This is not a criticism of the author or the method. Winifred Aldrich’s system was designed for the fashion industry, where efficiency and standard sizing are essential. But when it comes to fitting real, non-standard bodies — bodies that don’t conform to industry averages — these built-in assumptions can lead to poor results, even when the measurements seem accurate. My goal in this video is to explain why the method doesn’t always work for custom fitting, and to help you understand how and where it falls short — so you can make better-fitting blocks using methods tailored to individual shapes. Timestamp 00:00 Introduction - My first attempt at drafting a block (Aldrich Method) and Comparisons 06:30 Assumption Number 1 09:00 Assumption Number 2 12:48 Assumption Number 3 14:32 Assumption Number 4 17:35 Assumption Number 5 18:05 Assumption Number 6 18:30 Assumption Number 7 19:00 Assumption Number 8 19:45 Assumption Number 9 20:40 Assumption Number 10 21:20 Assumption Number 11 22: 45 List of Additional Measurements needed for a Custom Fit 23:11 Custom (Bodice) Block Makin