I'm a big fan of the Curvy Sewing Collective and I've been lurking on their blog for a while, following links to the Collective members' own personal blogs, and reading about patterns and thinking: I might suit that! or "That's not my shape, but I like what she's done."
I like their enthusiasm for sewing, I like their feminism and their body-positivity, and I like what they make. But - and you knew that was coming, didn't you? They claim they want to get us fat women into sewing, because it is creative and empowering and hey, you get great clothes that fit. I am SOLD! Now, how to start... Well, when I look at the patterns they sew over and over as TNT (tried and true) fits for them ... well, they do make a lot of patterns that definitely didn't fit them straight out of the packet.
I can't do the adjustments that they do. Not without a real old freakout.
What does it mean to adjust a pattern?
I've been following lots of online tutorials for learning how to do a Full Bust Adjustment and other types of grading (= 'adjusting a pattern size' - every skill has it's jargon, doesn't it?). I accept that, because all bodies are different, one of the parts of sewing at home will be making adjustments for a good fit like tweaking dart placement, adjusting for bust, hips, biceps - whatever. I know people have to adjust for narrow shoulders and sway-backs and all kinds of things. I don't mind fitting a pattern to my body's idiosyncrasies. I do mind having to enlarge a pattern more than 2-4 inches before I can even think about sewing up a muslin (=cheapo fabric practice garment) to tweak the fit.
A couple of nights ago I looked over my pattern stash; all the plans I had for my summer of sewing. I had a cute skirt with pockets, I had a gorgeous blouse in a style I love - I even had a shift dress (I might be mad about that - I'm usually more of a fit-and-flare style person but I have a colleague who rocks a shift dress and I'm beginning to wonder if that's a good way to hide my somewhat potato-shaped midsection). Absolutely none of these will fit me without so much grading (adding inches to the pattern) that it will be almost impossible to make the damned things. So I'm out about $40 on a bunch of envelopes that will just sit and taunt me with their 'Noo, we're too pretty for yooou!" covers.
Damnit, I can see them from here. Those buggers are going into a box under the bed or something.
I ended up emailing the CSC for the digital version of a drunken and emotional rant. I will excerpt it in the next post, for your amusement.
I like their enthusiasm for sewing, I like their feminism and their body-positivity, and I like what they make. But - and you knew that was coming, didn't you? They claim they want to get us fat women into sewing, because it is creative and empowering and hey, you get great clothes that fit. I am SOLD! Now, how to start... Well, when I look at the patterns they sew over and over as TNT (tried and true) fits for them ... well, they do make a lot of patterns that definitely didn't fit them straight out of the packet.
I can't do the adjustments that they do. Not without a real old freakout.
What does it mean to adjust a pattern?
I've been following lots of online tutorials for learning how to do a Full Bust Adjustment and other types of grading (= 'adjusting a pattern size' - every skill has it's jargon, doesn't it?). I accept that, because all bodies are different, one of the parts of sewing at home will be making adjustments for a good fit like tweaking dart placement, adjusting for bust, hips, biceps - whatever. I know people have to adjust for narrow shoulders and sway-backs and all kinds of things. I don't mind fitting a pattern to my body's idiosyncrasies. I do mind having to enlarge a pattern more than 2-4 inches before I can even think about sewing up a muslin (=cheapo fabric practice garment) to tweak the fit.
A couple of nights ago I looked over my pattern stash; all the plans I had for my summer of sewing. I had a cute skirt with pockets, I had a gorgeous blouse in a style I love - I even had a shift dress (I might be mad about that - I'm usually more of a fit-and-flare style person but I have a colleague who rocks a shift dress and I'm beginning to wonder if that's a good way to hide my somewhat potato-shaped midsection). Absolutely none of these will fit me without so much grading (adding inches to the pattern) that it will be almost impossible to make the damned things. So I'm out about $40 on a bunch of envelopes that will just sit and taunt me with their 'Noo, we're too pretty for yooou!" covers.
Damnit, I can see them from here. Those buggers are going into a box under the bed or something.
I ended up emailing the CSC for the digital version of a drunken and emotional rant. I will excerpt it in the next post, for your amusement.
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