As I sell patterns and sew, one thing I noticed is even the plus sized patterns don’t go that big. I sew a size 18 but on vintage patterns sometimes I start with a 20 and then adjust it when I am sewing. I wear a size 12 in ready to wear and there are a lot of people who are above that.
Sewing your own clothes is a wonderful way to get any style in your size and that is one of the biggest reasons I started sewing. I was tired of stores telling me what was appropriate for my body. I can’t speak for people larger than me but I often found that the stores brought in lots of small sizes in the clothes I wanted and then 1 or 2 in size 12 or 14. If I didn’t get there right after they put the new item out, I wouldn’t get it. Besides, we now have so little selection in our malls that if you don’t like what the 4 stores brought in…..there isn’t anything else. Sewing made it possible for me to have any style in my size.
Sewing patterns usually go to size 20 which is about a 14/16 but what about all the people over that? There are so many people who are larger than a 14/16 and I think they deserve to have sewing patterns fit them. There are some independent patterns that run to size 24 – 26 and some even higher but there is no where near the amount of choice there should be. Below are a few Plus sized patterns I have come across and the biggest size is a 26W, which is not actually that big.
Another thing to note is all of these patterns are pretty full coverage. What’s a girl to do if she doesn’t want to cover everything up? I believe everyone should be able to wear whatever they want. Personally I believe in highlighting your best features and hiding lesser attributes because I think it’s more flattering for me. Others want to flaunt everything and I am all for that, especially if they have style or finesse. I think pattern companies should wise up and start making all the patterns to the higher 20’s.
When I sewed my swimsuit, I was kind of insulted when they instructions didn’t go to my size. I felt like they were saying I was too fat to have that swimsuit. I am imagine that’s the everyday struggle for people in the higher sizes. They have to work twice as hard to be fashionable self grading patterns and cutting and spreading the pieces. I bet a plus sized sewer is way more skilled than any of the rest of us who are able to just the use the pattern as is. Bravo curvy ladies! You have my respect. I hope the pattern companies start to adjust their sizes for you.
Style Sewciety 