tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post2046363514151354476..comments2024-03-14T16:03:32.434-04:00Comments on Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing: Thoughts on Plus Size Sewing from a Fellow BloggerGertiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314542159287533507noreply@blogger.comBlogger84125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-59380834388312685642014-03-04T10:09:47.429-05:002014-03-04T10:09:47.429-05:00I find it depressing to clothe shop. Usually the t...I find it depressing to clothe shop. Usually the things I like in my size are stupidly expensive and more often than not in horrid fabrics. people still believe that fat=rich which it did back in medieval times but not now! I am a size UK 24/26. I also have a chronic illness Fibromyalgia that means I cannot do much activity or walking without agony and lethargy, not to mention my Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Tourette's, Depression etc! So for me being a bit big is a-the least of my worries and b-doing pretty well not to be double this size which would have been really easy to do! So I hate people who judge people on their size because we all have different reasons which are all valid both for fat and thin. My triumph at the moment is that I am maintaining my weight during this horrid long term illness, you see to me that is the same as loosing weight at the moment because I am not putting it on which is all I can achieve at the moment when you consider that getting out of bed is a major achievement for me with Fibro! I want to loose weight when I am able but even then I only want to get to a UK 16 - I don't want to loose my curves plus at this size it lessens the skin sag after! So at the moment I have decided to sew my own. Now for the big problem - finding styles in my size that I like. I will find a pattern I like, it will even say up to plus size, that is if plus size is within the healthy BMI range which a 16-18 is! (Don't even get me started on the history of the BMI chart! What a scam!). What gets my goat is that sites say that upsizing their patterns can be very difficult to do. Ok on some patterns may be, but the ones I like could very easily be done by them! The Plus size sections on some sites are pathetic. You get 100 normal size patterns and then 5 plus size like we don't care what we wear. You think we are a small market? It's only a small market because of what you do. I have worked for shops that say oh this product doesn't sell well anyway - well if you actually marketed it, advertised it properly us big girls would know it exists! That's the thing companies will do it but not advertise it properly so they can then claim well it doesn't work anyway lets get rid of it now-which is an excuse. Ok, unexpected rant! I actually have some Khalia Ali patterns to try they look nice!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05185351447275274470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-21101656976521762632012-09-06T03:13:26.262-04:002012-09-06T03:13:26.262-04:00Cheers author for your nice blog and fantastic dis...Cheers author for your nice blog and fantastic discussed about sewing Oakland sewer removalhttp://www.bayareasewers.com/oakland-trenchless-sewer-replacement.htmnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-77480680219506615402012-08-27T18:50:50.887-04:002012-08-27T18:50:50.887-04:00Hi Neighbor,
I live in Beacon as well. Bought a p...Hi Neighbor, <br />I live in Beacon as well. Bought a place in 2006. Love your blog and can't wait for the book. I too take what ever size pattern and make it my own. I was a size 4 (before babies), then 6,8,10,12 then 14. This has happen through all the babies(5), but then i got sick and ballooned to a size 20 in 6 mos. I am very happy in this skin. I'm learning more what clothes look good on me and which one's to shy away from. I'm having the most fun fitting a smaller pattern to my shape and maybe making a few changes along the way. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-6925305905011494042012-02-12T11:24:59.707-05:002012-02-12T11:24:59.707-05:00I have never entered a sewing contest, but it isn&...I have never entered a sewing contest, but it isn't because I am plus sized. I love to sew, but seldom have the time. The main reason I do sew my own clothes is that the cute clothes don't usually come in my size. Great article. I enjoyed reading it.GrammaLindahttp://www.squidoo.com/plus-size-sewingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-61772179954208265862011-05-18T10:44:28.916-04:002011-05-18T10:44:28.916-04:00I've been sewing since 1966. For years, YEARS...I've been sewing since 1966. For years, YEARS, I used a size 8 or 10, even in the 'old' sizing. Well, I've blossomed! I still love sewing, although a 22 pattern, now, needs, upsizing.<br /><br />What companies and manufacturers fail to recognize is when I was a smaller size, I had a VASTLY smaller budget!! Now I can treat myself to better fabric and finer notions, and still keep my bills paid. But now I'm 'not the target market." Their loss..........Auntiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09465800391971315416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-85965280944343419572010-05-25T21:30:18.425-04:002010-05-25T21:30:18.425-04:00I just recently found your blog and love it!!!! I...I just recently found your blog and love it!!!! I'm both plus-size and tall, which makes finding nice fitting clothes pretty damn hard. I used to sew most of my clothes when I was a teenager, but got out of the habit. I just recently bought a couple of simple patterns to re-acquaint myself with sewing again, but admit to feeling a bit intimidated as it looks like I will have to do quite a bit of adjusting to patterns to get them to fit.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-59324314811784134812010-04-10T00:10:39.372-04:002010-04-10T00:10:39.372-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.karens shieldsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-80608016537391554132010-02-13T07:18:45.475-05:002010-02-13T07:18:45.475-05:00Carolyn's work and the way she wears it should...Carolyn's work and the way she wears it should definitely win many prizes! I loved hearing her thoughts on this.<br /><br />My weight has fluctuated 60 pounds between my heaviest (as a teen) and lightest (as an adult), and my experience has been that it's just easier to make clothes hang nicely when there is less fluff in the way. The topography is less complex. <br /><br />Isn't that one reason designers use such terribly thin models? No troublesome breasts to accommodate! As long as all the models are super-thin, they all pretty much have the same shape and are very similar to fit.<br /><br />I have started sewing for my mom (who sewed so much for me when I was younger!), and even though we wear similar sizes, she is a million times easier to fit. She has standard sized shoulders, a small bust and is evenly proportioned. It would be a lot easier to sew an award winning wardrobe for her than for me (shorter, busty, sway backed).<br /><br />So maybe one part of the bias in the sewing competitions is that the sewing and fitting are easier to perfect for the less-curvy seamstress.Virginia at A Sewing Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15734911883557993627noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-39585422764782431412010-02-11T09:37:34.215-05:002010-02-11T09:37:34.215-05:00Thanks for mentioning my book Sewing for Plus Size...Thanks for mentioning my book Sewing for Plus Sizes: Design, Fit and Construction for Ample Apparel. You also might like my second book Sewing 911: Practical and Creative Rescues for Sewing Emergencies.<br /><br />If you'd like to see images of my work you can visit my website at www.barbaradeckertcouture.com or my Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/#/pages/Elkridge-MD/Barbara-Deckert-Couture/180157724721?ref=ts or my blog at http://barbaradeckertcouture.blogspot.com .Barbara Deckert Couturehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13693646744555102846noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-40866597879496126002010-02-09T14:04:27.257-05:002010-02-09T14:04:27.257-05:00Gertie, thanks for bringing this interview to the ...Gertie, thanks for bringing this interview to the fore. Good points were made although I cannot believe a handful of commenters literally think that fat / plus-sized women's issues stem only from their own low-self esteem and do not have a social element... you know, years and years of messages that we're all too fat (or in some cases, "too thin" - I personally dislike the "real women have curves" and "eat a cheeseburger" stuff - thin women ARE real women!).<br /><br />Carolyn wrote: <br /><br /><i>We are definitely an underserved market and if you don't have the ability to restyle or even the fashion sense to see a plus size garment in a skinnier size, the plus size woman is on the bad end of the stick!</i><br /><br />Are plus-sized women really a "niche" when the average American woman is a size 14 - roughly a size 18 in patterns? That doesn't sound too "niche" to me... Sounds like plus-sized women really are being underserved. I look forward to things improving.kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08183686721305419157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-90791951636818218142010-02-06T06:52:57.934-05:002010-02-06T06:52:57.934-05:00Oops did not mean not knowing if you're curvy,...Oops did not mean not knowing if you're curvy, I meant not knowing about the patterns mentioned.<br />VibekeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-8647133827993071042010-02-05T07:46:00.704-05:002010-02-05T07:46:00.704-05:00Just thought I'd mention this for those new se...Just thought I'd mention this for those new sewers/sewists out there who are curvy and may not know it. Both Burda Style (the magazine) and Hot Patterns offer fashion forward cool styles that work well on us curvy types. Ottobre Woman (the magazine) also have some very well drafted patterns for curves. Guess most of the readers here know that already, but just in case ... (NAYY of course) <br /><br />Regards from Vibeke in OsloAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-50083874771292176022010-02-04T10:29:59.189-05:002010-02-04T10:29:59.189-05:00Hi Gertie
By no means do I disagree with the expr...Hi Gertie<br /><br />By no means do I disagree with the expressed frustrations of plus size women. I work in RTW, I personally know quite a few designers who would really like to address the needs of this market better but there are many less obvious barriers. Some of these were discussed in these two entries on my site:<br />http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/what-if-plus-sizes-made-up-80-of-the-market/<br />http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/mens-vs-womens-plus-size-apparel/<br /><br />If you or your visitors have any suggestions to resolve these difficulties and limitations, we'd love to hear them.Kathleenhttp://www.fashion-incubator.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-9128568212578536432010-02-04T08:16:41.570-05:002010-02-04T08:16:41.570-05:00Anonymous, I looove Frocks and Frou Frou. She'...Anonymous, I looove Frocks and Frou Frou. She's on my blog roll if anyone's interested!Gertiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04314542159287533507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-47309521875046986282010-02-04T07:22:03.610-05:002010-02-04T07:22:03.610-05:00Check out this blog- a gorgeous curvy young Austra...Check out this blog- a gorgeous curvy young Australian woman who knows how to make the most of her assets shares photos of herself looking fabulous in outfits put together from inexpensive chain store RTW<br />http://frocksandfroufrou.blogspot.com/<br />cheers, MaeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-48064041498372059122010-02-03T14:22:24.037-05:002010-02-03T14:22:24.037-05:00Thanks to both Gertie and Carolyn for talking abou...Thanks to both Gertie and Carolyn for talking about this! I have entered quite a few contests at patternreview and lost. I always knew in the back of my mind it's because I'm fat. I didn't want to admit that my fellow sewists were sizists, and it made me really sad that they couldn't recognize all the time and work I put into a garment even if it is a size 18.Shanniehttp://www.hhhsd.org/blognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-17484392150037958382010-02-03T12:08:06.626-05:002010-02-03T12:08:06.626-05:00Wonderful interview, wonderful comments.
Because ...Wonderful interview, wonderful comments.<br /><br />Because of Carolyn's blog (I've been reading it for some time), I started sewing for myself again.<br /><br />I owe her LOTS.Letterpresshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13983311236791267553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-378725888153279902010-02-03T11:08:41.107-05:002010-02-03T11:08:41.107-05:00I'm really glad you posted this. I've bee...I'm really glad you posted this. I've been interested for some time in the intersection between sewing and body image issues, as well... it seems like sewing is for many people a great way to escape from restrictive fashion norms, but the problems of finding patterns that fit can sometimes just replicate the problems of RTW clothes shopping.<br /><br />I think for me that one of the things that I feel as a somewhat larger than average poster (I'm kind of on the border between plus and regular sizes in a lot of patterns) is that I feel like a lot of the advice for larger sized sewers is about disguising flaws, flattering your body shape, etc. Some of this advice is useful, but a lot of it tends to push people in the direction of more conservative, full coverage, less form fitting clothes. I do sometimes feel like there's an undertone of "oh, she really can't get away with that," or "hm, kind of makes her look big" when I sew up patterns that supposedly only look good on skinny people. Advice about fitting and flattering your figure shouldn't turn people off of actually wearing form fitting clothes if they feel comfortable in them. Personally, I don't want to dress to look "skinny." I want to wear clothes that I feel excited about wearing!centrallyisolatedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08823356747586145225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-484255288818525182010-02-03T10:45:07.578-05:002010-02-03T10:45:07.578-05:00Nicola: thanks for the book recommendation!
♥ Cas...Nicola: thanks for the book recommendation!<br /><br />♥ Casey<br />blog | elegantmusings.comCaseyhttp://elegantmusings.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-40501652663741741252010-02-03T08:33:34.482-05:002010-02-03T08:33:34.482-05:00This post has certainly hit a sore point with ever...This post has certainly hit a sore point with everyone! A size 4 is fat in the modeling world? No wonder so many women have body image issues. I am at the upper end of 'regular' sizing, but I used to be a plus sized woman. I was still buying rtw then, and going into Bloomingdales and having the plus sized department in the basement between rugs and housewares was upsetting and demeaning.(It's changed now, the department is even attractive, not the cramped unattractive quarters it formerly had) Walk into Barneys and you don't have to be plus sized not to be able to buy anything. A large is about a size 10. Look at some of the fancier clothing websites, and the sizes rarely go above a size 10. In fact, that's large. Is it just easier to only design for a narrow range of sizes? Do they think that larger women don't want to wear great clothing or is it just cheaper? I don't know, nor do I care anymore because I sew almost all my clothing these days. I have learned to fit my body and I am a lot happier, let me tell you! Going shopping and not being able to find chic clothing that fits is harmful to self esteem. Try and find a 'cool' pair of jeans if you are in that no woman's zone between plus and the jeans sizing, which I can't figure out anyway. <br />Great post Carolyn and Gertie.Nancy Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02235347323004026695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-90866835629021305622010-02-03T08:26:38.958-05:002010-02-03T08:26:38.958-05:00I am a gorgeous, glamorous, big woman who loves to...I am a gorgeous, glamorous, big woman who loves to make my own clothes and every single thing that is in the article IS ABSOLUTELY TRUE! I am sooooooooooo disappointed in pattern companies for cutting me out out the most beautiful patterns in the "Misses" section! I do not WANT to dress like a couch! I want clothes to show curves and not hide them. It is apparent the same thing I tried to escape in the garment industry is in the pattern industry! I want waist darts and bust darts and for heaven's sake, SHAPE! Great job on this interview! -Backseat BettyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-47741014411565807722010-02-03T07:38:23.853-05:002010-02-03T07:38:23.853-05:00LOVE Carolyn. She's my hero.
What I find re...LOVE Carolyn. She's my hero. <br /><br />What I find really ironic, being plus size myself, is that larger, curvier women often turn to sewing to create the beautiful, well-fitting clothes that they can't find in stores. We've been lamenting the dearth of patterns available in larger sizes, what about the near complete lack of cute, fashionable CLOTHES in RTW in plus sizes?? I know many women who learned to sew directly because of this. How frustrating then to find out that you face the same lack of choice in patterns. <br /><br />I have learned to grade up down and around to get what I want. I don't know if I'll ever be truly "happy" with my size. I yearn for that peace, but haven't quite found it yet. What I do know is that I'll keep sewing whatever fashions strike my fancy and i'll grade it to death if need be to make it fit. <br /><br />Thank you Gertie & Carolyn for the wonderful post.angie.ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01575366388194033626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-84032406631032064232010-02-03T07:01:03.069-05:002010-02-03T07:01:03.069-05:00I just got home from another fit class, this time ...I just got home from another fit class, this time I had a range of sizes from a size 6 stick insect to a size 18 (and beyond) new mother. You know what? Both of them had the same amount of alterations to do. And stick insect was nearly in tears when I mentioned a small busy, petite alteration. She hates her body so much, it was palpable. Meanwhile New Mother was not phased at all, was happy to learn to grade out for her hips that were well beyond Vogue pattern Co.<br /><br />Look, if you want clothes that fit you well, learn to alter. We almost all have to alter. The great thing about alterations is that once you've done the same ones several times, you do them automatically. And quickly. This weekend I got out a "new" 1930's blouse pattern and altered for - Narrow Back, Sway back, Short waist, Full bust, small waist, and full bicep in a manner of 45 minutes. Now I have a blouse pattern that fits gloriously (I muslined later that afternoon). Previously, all those alterations would have taken me days or weeks. Just learn your alterations.Stephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08235341738044433500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-23626841415895237002010-02-03T02:29:31.841-05:002010-02-03T02:29:31.841-05:00Thanks, Gertie. Carolyn's blog was the first ...Thanks, Gertie. Carolyn's blog was the first one or close to it that I read when I got back into sewing. Even though I am not plus size, I learn so much from her. One of the things (besides her wonderful sewing) that I love so much about her is that she loves herself the way she is and makes no apologies (as she shouldn't) for her bodacious body. And, I love that she is so creative with her TNT patterns. I hope to have some TNT patterns and be able some day to do as she does. And, I totally agree that the plus size woman is underserved. I am older now and have a pot tummy, love handles and all sorts of figure issues but I do not want to wear tents to camouflage myself. I'm with Carolyn. If you've got it, flaunt it!!Stashhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03064220415021728232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-31062320690877631882010-02-03T02:22:35.225-05:002010-02-03T02:22:35.225-05:00There are lots of interesting comments here and th...There are lots of interesting comments here and they on the whole have shown great tact and decorum in discussing a very difficult subject for many. <br /><br />I really appreciate Carolyn's understanding and honesty in dealing with this subject, and would love to see her write a book on the subject. I am sure her knowledge of pattern alterations and appropriate styles for the more rounded figure would make and excellent reference, I know I would be standing in line to buy it.<br /><br />I have been reading Carolyns blog for some time now and love seeing what she is creating and how she is doing it. This blog however is new to me, rest assured it will be added to blog lines immediately.<br /><br />Thanks for talking about a subject a lot of people would rather ignore.Debhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12754321665361120173noreply@blogger.com