Comments on Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing: Colette Patterns' Curvy Models: What Do You Think?...

So I know I'm like a year late with this, but ...

2010-10-23T14:37:48.956-04:00

So I know I'm like a year late with this, but I just found Colette patterns, then I found your blog through them! It really makes me wonder how a person views the world around them if they can leave a comment like that. The models are not 'huge.' If you think that you must have some serious issues going on in your life. One of them probably jealousy. I vary from a size 20 -26 UK (so I know what huge is!) and the fist thing that caught my eye when I looked at the Colette patterns website was the gallery section. I love how you can see all the different patterns on so many body shapes, and they all look damn lovely if I don't say so myself! It's been great for deciding which patterns I think will look best with my body shape (that's right commentor x. I said 'shape' even though I'm plus size, crazy huh!!!) I mean those triangle and rectangle 'body shapes' on the back of the big company patterns, you know what I'm talking about? I can't tell anything from those, or a stick thin model on the front! Model doesn't look like me, triangles and rectangles don't look like me!! That is why Collete patterns is so refreshing. Any body type can go onto the website and see a picture of someone that might look a bit like them wearing the clothes. Ahhhh bliss! It's really a shame that that person made that commet. Sarai's patterns are beautiful, elegant, timeless and stunning, no matter what body is wearing them.

I know this is an older post, but I just had to co...

2010-07-28T10:28:11.061-04:00

I know this is an older post, but I just had to comment. Seeing these beautiful curvy women modeling made me say "Hallelujah!" I frankly could not stop looking at them when I first ran across Colette Patterns this summer. They convinced me I could look sexy in these designs that accommodate a curvy figure. So many patterns are not designed for us busty gals it's down right refreshing to see them. I'm making the Macaron dress for my 10 year wedding anniversary and I know, because of those gorgeous models, it will be a show stopper!

In my case, the model made me buy the product. A l...

2010-07-26T13:09:48.619-04:00

In my case, the model made me buy the product. A lot of the older brands use drawings of women that are pretty, but make me wonder if the dress pictured would look good on someone with proportions more similar to my own. Colette's models didn't make me think "what would this look like on me?" but rather " 'Oooh, Barracuda!' Now all I need is a chignon."

I totally agree with you. In fact, all I can do is...

2010-05-02T14:23:20.963-04:00

I totally agree with you. In fact, all I can do is shake my head. Ironically, I've been reading a lot of pattern reviews for Collette Patterns before I dive into making the Rooibos or Sencha, and the biggest complaint people seem to have is that the designs would look better on them if they were bustier. I find that hilarious because as a D-cup, my usual problem is finding tops that fit my bust without also looking like I'm wearing a muu-muu. So, everyone has trouble finding clothes that fit, which is why so many of us take up sewing our own!

As for Commenter X, I think because we are used to seeing a specific size of woman modelling clothing, it's hard to get out of that mode of thinking. Which is sad. We need to see all sizes modelling clothes - it might help in determining whether a particular style is flattering on one's own body.

I think it's important for pattern companies t...

2010-04-19T10:17:52.657-04:00

I think it's important for pattern companies to use models that epitomize the female form they design to.

I only recently found out that Collette Patterns are drafted for larger cup sizes (C-D) than the standard (B) you find with most commercial patterns. Yet I almost didn't need to be told - I can see from the photos and how Collette Patterns are marketed that they are suitable and will still look stylish on curvy women.

I am only an average-skilled seamstress, but part of what drew me into making my own clothes is that as a very short, slim and very busty girl most ready to wear clothing is uneven on me - tight in some places and way too loose in others.

Models that are chosen to sell patterns usually tell me nothing about how a pattern will look on me. Collette Patterns do. And that makes me want to buy them.

Therefore, I think their models are doing their job - selling the patterns to the right audience.

(Frankly I wish more commercial companies would take this approach. Or at least include a D+ bodice variation piece - I'm just not skilled enough to do that kind of major adjustment on every type of pattern).

Commenter X was way out of line. I think the mode...

2010-03-23T14:18:35.974-04:00

Commenter X was way out of line. I think the models for the Collette Patterns are gorgeous! I have a boyish figure (small bust, small hips, wide waist), and wish I could fill out a dress like those lovely models. It does, however, make me a bit hesitant in purchasing a Collette pattern because I'm afraid that I'll have to alter the pattern drastically (which I'm quite inept at), or that it just won't look as nice on me as it would on a curvalicious woman. I'm not sure if this is true or not, but that's just the impression I get by seeing the finished garment on the models. Bummer... I'm so in love with the Parfait dress pattern... especially your version in pink seersucker. Swooon!

I like to see a variety of models: size, ethnicity...

2010-02-22T08:36:47.759-05:00

I like to see a variety of models: size, ethnicity and age. But mostly what I want to see is a person who appears healthy!

I personally do find it very helpful to see a pattern on someone with my shape. Since I am thin and fairly tall, most of the time a model is somewhat in my size range.

Still, I do not like a lack of diversity in models because it projects the idea that women are all the same or should be all the same.

Healthy is beautiful. Could we strive for that?!

I think the models look fabulous in the clothes. B...

2010-02-16T16:03:25.900-05:00

I think the models look fabulous in the clothes. BUT I can sort of see where "Commenter X" is coming from. I sell vintage on ebay, and I model most of the clothes myself. After a photo shoot, I always choose the photos which make me look thinnest (in fact I may as well confess I sometimes resort to some light retouching) - and not purely for reasons of vanity! I think that if buyers see a slender model in the clothes, it makes them more appealing, because "these clothes will make me look slimmer". Then again, perhaps I'm wrong...

Tuppence Ha'Penny

One of the reasons I am attracted to the Colette P...

2010-02-13T08:44:09.208-05:00

One of the reasons I am attracted to the Colette Patterns is because of the models. These dresses suit them very very well. They aren't the cloth racks you see in runway shows, but that's not necessary. In this case it has to give potential buyers of the patterns an idea of the dress and how it would look on themselves if they'd make the dress and wear it themselves. So you don't need sizes 2 or even 0, you need normal women. Sizes 4/6/8/10. I love the models Sarai picked out. They look very distinguished in the dresses and I think they really bring across the message very well. Plus they are absolutely drop dead gorgeous. I mean... look at them. I'd kill to look like that.

I just ordered two Colette patterns, and I did so ...

2010-01-27T00:04:01.675-05:00

I just ordered two Colette patterns, and I did so because of the curvier models on the website! It's so refreshing to see what clothes look like on a woman above a size zero, and not have to try and imagine the clothes fitting my curvy frame by squinting at the line drawings on the back of the envelope and looking for fit clues.
The photo shoot looks wonderful, the clothes look well designed, and the choice of models is what tipped me over towards purchasing. I think Sarai did a great job!

Very refreshing to see patterns made up and modele...

2010-01-25T11:47:27.574-05:00

Very refreshing to see patterns made up and modeled on women who are more representative of the average woman. It's a stretch of the imagination to figure out how most patterns will look on the average person because they are either modeled on anorexic teenagers or drawn in a way that no human could ever be that thin because their bones could never been that narrow. I have been a very small size most of my adults life, and I still had to imagine how things would look on a me much of the time. Now that I'm a RTW 10, I can relate to the photos on this pattern line and very easy imagine how they would look on me. It's so nice to have patterns for which I don't have to do as much of an FBA as I normally would have to do. Anyone who thinks the models are huge has their thinking oriented by popular use of models and not by real people.

Interesting. I recently bought the Sencha pattern....

2010-01-12T20:46:09.165-05:00

Interesting. I recently bought the Sencha pattern... still waiting for it to arrive. Can't wait!
I had a different response to the models. I am pretty thin. Not too curvey, and flat chested. Think Kate Hudson, but not nearly as toned! ; )
I ENVY these gorgeous women and their luscious curves. At the same time, I hesitate to by a certain dress pattern of hers(can't remember the name of it) because I worry that it won't look nearly as gorgeous on my frame as someone with curves.
There's body issues on both ends. I'd love to see her garments on smaller women IN ADDITION to the gorgeous models she's already chosen. This way I could see what it might look like on me.

I think those models look fantastic in those cloth...

2010-01-08T09:44:14.540-05:00

I think those models look fantastic in those clothes! I don't think that they are ill fitting at all to look at, its just that people are so used to seeing pictures of women who do not fill out their clothes properly and do not have that healthy/fertile/sexy little bit of shape on their stomachs that they think that a flat stomach or slim hips is the only norm.
I don't consider inches to be in any way equated to beauty, proportions in comparison to height and skeletal/muscular build are much more important.
Take for example the 'plus size' models in the european burda pattern magazine. I would never consider them to be plus size, they are perfectly and healthily proportioned for their build. What I consider plus size is women who have health problems due to their size, or have trouble walking for a good distance. As for a models bum looking big, shouldn't that be a complement for anyone, including the model? More essential for the more robust venus-like and less otherworldly femminine figure than breasts is a small hip/waist ratio. That inevitable includes large thighs and bums. If the waist looks small by comparison, great! This is just as beautiful as the slim, tall, graceful, ectomorphic figure idealised, and more approchable for many women too.
I am not saying that all skinny women can be deemed glamourous, as some are far to thin than is natural for themselves. An example of this is some of the models on the asos site, when you look an some of the open back clothing no effort has been made to airbruch away the unhealthily jutting bones on their backs, so the truth is revealed, they are more deathly than glamourous.
Surely the most beautiful and attractive features that should be looked for in a model are health, happiness, and personality rather than height and weight.
To use beautiful models regardless of their size or height is an incredibly brave, respectible and wonderful thing to do, and it should be done by more companies.
Also I agree totally with Ladykatza, people should not fit clothes, clothes should fit PEOPLE. Whoever said that a different model should be chosen for the dress most likely did not mean any harm by their comment, but surely chosing the model to fit the clothes used for the front picture of a pattern defeats the purpose of home sewing? You might as well just put them in ready-to-wear off the high street if you have that opinion. The clothes should be cut and measured for the models proportions, rather than using the base pattern as it would be sold, as most home sewers would most likely alter the base pattern to fit themselves.

I immediately noticed that the models were curvier...

2009-12-29T18:14:10.443-05:00

I immediately noticed that the models were curvier than one normally sees, but I saw it as a practical choice to show off patterns that are retro-styled for curvy women. As an extreme hourglass, I feel confident that these patterns won't have to be modified for my curves, which is a refreshing change.

I have to say that I was so happy to see pattern m...

2009-12-28T15:45:48.337-05:00

I have to say that I was so happy to see pattern models with figures similar to my own: curvy. I have a very hard time imaging vintage-inspired designs on my frame because my frame looks more uncorsetted-Renaissance than 40s/50s! I hope more designers try their hand at designing for a wider range of silhouettes. It was refreshing to see a pale beauty with curves! The theme here is variety. I like it. Keep it up!

The models are gorgeous and the designs are very f...

2009-12-17T15:19:09.892-05:00

The models are gorgeous and the designs are very flattering. Kudo's to Sarai for using curvy women of varying sizes. I think it shows how well the designs work on women with curves (even though some commenters have pointed out minor fit issues -- though I didn't notice any large binder clips like the mainstream pattern maker use). I do believe that designers and some seamstress' use very thin models as that allows them not to worry about how the look is designed or how to deal with fit issues, i.e., Project Runway.

There will always be critical people and the critical people probably haven't looked in a mirror lately.

Keep up the beautiful work Sarai.

The models are gorgeous and they show Sarai's ...

2009-12-15T00:01:38.253-05:00

The models are gorgeous and they show Sarai's latest incredible line to perfection (as do you, Gertie). Brilliant!

I was really excited to see those pictures..... I&...

2009-12-14T06:48:43.738-05:00

I was really excited to see those pictures..... I've NEVER seen a picture of a model anywhere close to my size, and I have a figure that fits well into those 1950's hourglass shaped dresses. Just checked it out, and it looks like Marilyn, still a huge fashion icon today, had one size smaller than I do..... yet there are many stores where nothing at all comes in my size. I think that being healthy is the most important, and size is definitely second (or seventeenth) on the list of Things To Do. A mix of sizes and shapes is what you see in real life, so it would make sense to me to use a mix of sizes and shapes as models, and to create good looking clothes for different women. I'm always horrified at the medium sizes that get put in the 'Plus size' department at stores like Laura and Reitmans.... most of the people who shop at those places are nicely rounded, not fat :(
I for one am planning to get a pattern or two from that collection for Christmas.... :-)

I think, to be fair to that commenter. We've l...

2009-12-13T18:57:42.318-05:00

I think, to be fair to that commenter. We've lost all perspective on size. I once heard girls calling Cindy Crawford fat. I think the models are beyond gorg. But, at the end of the day, we're used to very skinny and very tall girls. I am the size the models noted and recently had an aunt call me fat. So.... you can imagine what I think of the comment.

I've always been a fan of plus-size models! Th...

2009-12-07T12:43:59.343-05:00

I've always been a fan of plus-size models! There's a great site with many images of Crystal and other plus-size models here:

http://www.judgmentofparis.com/

They're all gorgeous.

The site's forum also has thought-provoking discussions about body image and the media.

The models are very beautiful and shapely. No way ...

2009-12-07T06:15:19.024-05:00

The models are very beautiful and shapely. No way near being huge. Perfect for the kind of design that's inspired by a time in history that appreciated the female form. (Whatever other faults that era may have had - the curvy gal was hot). Poster X obviously needs her/his head examined!

Vibeke in Oslo

I didn't read the other posts before writing t...

2009-12-06T14:48:13.371-05:00

I didn't read the other posts before writing this, but that commenter just made my blood boil. I am an 8/10 and have NEVER considered myself plus size (granted, I used to be a 6/7, but that was about 20 years ago). I am thrilled to FINALLY see someone my normal size modeling clothes. It's such a relief.

I think we need to see a VARIETY of models. Humans come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, and variety will better reflect that.

The Colette models are beautiful, the outfits are gorgeous, and Sarai should continue to do as she's doing.

And I love the Gertie models her clothes too. It gives me inspiration and better self confidence.

First time commenter! What strikes me is that Com...

2009-12-04T19:36:13.559-05:00

First time commenter!

What strikes me is that Commenter X doesn't say anything about the patterns, just about the models. Which makes me think Commenter X doesn't so. In other words, Commenter X is probably not Sarai's customer base - as the glowing reviews here indicate, we home sewers are practically salivating to get our hands on these patterns and start making them up. I could give two cents about Commenter X. Some people just need attention to make their lives worthwhile and they are just SO SAD. Commenter X, get therapy, take up a hobby, get bent, whatevs.

Moving on, Gertie is there anyway to highlight this or get this memo to Stefanie Sarah in Tokyo? I'm a tall skinnie minnie (5'11" and a size 0/2, small B cup) and Sarai's patterns TOTALLY fit me. Plus, I'm short-waisted; so I'm a bit shorter through the torso than a normal/tall woman. I was SO impressed with Sarai's fit when I made up the beignet skirt and I would hate for a potential customer not to give her a try. Stefani Sarah, if you're out there, Colette Patterns fit small gals, too! Really, really well! Check out Colette's gallery if you need more proof!

And re: your own question, Gertie, I love seeing a range of models - like many other commenters/sewers here, it's nice to get an idea of what the garment will look like ON YOU. I wish more pattern companies could understand that; home sewers need to be pragmatic and practical about sizing and cut and fit. Too much time and effort AND money goes into making one's own clothes for it to go disastrously wrong. This is not the same industry as the fashion runways, and I think the home-sewing industry would be better served by advertising that recognizes the degree of difference and allows for a little specialization here. It would, in fact, be a better business plan. (I've sworn off large commercial patterns for the time being because I am so frustrated with their poor fit. I'll just have to go back to draping my own, apparently - and snapping up Sarai's lines.)

sorry to go on!

I think some of the other ladies are correct here....

2009-12-04T12:08:00.884-05:00

I think some of the other ladies are correct here.Yes the models are beautiful but there is some very clear vanity sizing going on.The woman are obviously plus sized(I am a size 8-10) and the models are WAY bigger than me.(No way they are a size 10 or as sarai claims)
Also the way the clothes are fitted it looks like they were fitted in smaller sizes than they could fit in specially the girl in the white dress.The back pose clearly shows the dress being very tight on her hips.

I think some of the other ladies are correct here....

2009-12-04T12:07:14.871-05:00