Understanding Sewing Patterns

For the crafty plus sized gal, sewing your own clothes can be a great way to get things in the styles, colors, and patterns that may not be available in store bought clothes.  You also get the options to size the clothes to your specific body shapes.  Choosing your favorite fabrics, details, and trims will allow you to make clothing that really shows your personality and is completely unique to you! Patterns are necessary to learn how to put clothing together and they have come quite a long way.  Many designers now offer patterns and some vintage patterns can create an interesting look.  I have found that pattern sizing varies greatly and they all tend to run very large.  This is a great thing for us plus sized gals!  Here are some tips when looking at patterns.

-  You don't necessarily need to look for plus sized even if you are plus sized, many patterns will contain larger sizes but are not marked as plus sized.

-  Know your measurements, but remember patterns run big.  Patterns can be adjusted in areas so you only need a very basic idea of what size you are.  If the measurements are close to your own measurements then that is probably the size for you because you can expand or reduce the pattern.  

   The Anda Dress pattern from burdastyle.com, a very loose fitting style that can be adjusted.

-  Measure the pattern as soon as you open it!  Many patterns include several sizes, don't assume you are the one that you selected based on the numbers.  Measure the pattern to see how big the garment actually will be and choose your size based on these measurements.

-  Take your fabric into consideration.  Knits provide a lot stretch meaning you can get in and out of them easier.  You may be able to make the overall garment a little smaller because of this.  

-  Vintage patterns run SUPER BIG.  And they can offer very cute retro looks so be sure to read the measurements, get your basic size and go from there. 

 

A vintage style pattern with a dress and jacket.  This marked as a size 20 with a 40 inch bust.  However, it measures closer to 48 inches at the bust.

The DIY movement is huge right now and making your own clothes is very rewarding.  Give it a try and see how you do.  

Check out the great patterns on www.burdastyle.com or the great vintage patterns at www.etsy.com.

Unisex Doesn't Have to Mean Manly

Screen printed t shirts are highly popular right now. If you're like me you have scoured the internet, scanned pages of Etsy, and shopped racks at clothing stores trying to find something cute that fits correctly. Many plus size stores have screen printed casual t shirts but the designs can be limiting. Some of the indie stores than can be found on Etsy only carry woman's sizes that tend to run on the small size and only go up to an XL. But I have found a breakthrough solution to this dilemma. Pay attention for the word Unisex. Unisex means for men and women. Now before you get an image of a Hanes Beefy T in your head, take a look at these beauties.


This is a Unisex V Neck shirt from American Apparel. It comes in a variety of colors and sizes. The biggest size in an XL with measurements of 48 inches at the chest. But I own this shirt and I would bet it measures even larger than that, plus it stretches.

Here is an example of an Etsy store who is using Unisex sizes in her designs. Even though it doesn't directly say American Apparel, it is pretty clear that this is the style she is using. Still looks pretty girly to me! This shirt is available at EveryLittleCounts store on Etsy.

A Very Special Etsy Seller

It's always great to find an Etsy seller who makes plus sizes. It's even more special to find one who loves their shop and their customers. I have been sort of stalking TheGarbologistsWife for quite some time. All of her items are so beautiful looking and she often has plus size ready to wear items. But when on the search for a dress to wear to the theater, this gem came up I knew I was in love.

This seller was extremely friendly and welcomed any and all of my questions. She offers to custom size any dress even though she has a wide range on her sizing chart. This dress comes in 4 colors, but she also offered to find any color I wanted, and can be made in sizes Small - 3X!

Check out her blog, too, she has some great plus sized finds.

I was thrilled when she informed me my dress was completed and that she herself was so pleased with it that she put it on her own blog! My dress is famous! Yes, that's MY custom dress right there in that post. So hurry over to her store before I buy up all of her cute plus sized stuff!

Get legs that will make everyone jealous!

Don't spend hours at the gym agonizing over those legs. Flaunt what you got, confidence makes anyone glow! And look at these gems of stockings I have found to draw attention to your stems. These tattoo tights by Post on etsy.com are so unique you are sure to get stopped a million times when you wear them out. "Where did you get those?" everyone will ask. It's up to you to keep it your little secret or share it with the world.

I love these tights so much I decided to share them with the world. And of course, the best part is that they come in plus size! All of their styles and colors come in size XXL, which can stretch to 48 inches at the waist and 55 inches at the hips. They are available in 5 colors so you can either try to match your skin tone or choose black or white. Now be sure to treat your tights well as they are delicate, hand wash them and be careful not to snag them. These tights are the oomph needed to jazz up a plain dress. I guarantee you'll feel extra special when you wear these out, just try not to feel beautiful, it's impossible!