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From: PaulineG
Date: 01-07-2007, 03:58 AM (1 of 7)
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I'd like to make a wedding outfit (2nd wedding so not a long white gown) for my sister who is getting married in Tenessee in June. She currently lives here in OZ but is going to live there with the groom to be. I won't be able to get to the wedding and it will probably be ages before I see her again so I wanted to do something special to show her that I'm OK with the wedding and happy for her etc. (They met online and I can't convince her that I'm not horrified by the whole situation - she is leaving her kids here with the ex husband and going there to live). We've had many ups and downs (probably more of these) over the years so this seemed like a nice parting gift. Anyway, I'm an okay sewer but not up to anything particularly fitted so I'm hoping to let the fabric or embellishments do the "prettying up" for me and go with a simple style. She is uncertain of her exact size (too many sizes in her wardrobe) but I hope to work it out from either her measurements (if she'll let me) or from some of her better fitting clothes - I'd guess about a size 32. My problem is when I go looking for plus size patterns the drawing or model shown is for a dress fitted on somebody who might be lucky to be a size 16 - this gives no idea at all what it might really look like. Anybody out there have any ideas or pictures of some simple patterns that might be okay. As I said I can find heaps of patterns on the internet but I really want more of an idea of what they'd look like on a real person (or at least accurately portrayed - not so skinny - plus size drawing). Pauline
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User: PaulineG
Member since: 09-08-2006 Total posts: 901 |
From: paroper
Date: 01-07-2007, 04:24 AM (2 of 7)
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It is hard to tell! I complained about an ill-designed dress Simplicity had one time and in my tantrum I stated "I should have known there'd be a problem because I didn't get to see the dress on a real person, the only thing I had was a drawing." She said, that didn't mean anything, they just pin those garments until they like the fit! I WAS LIVID!!! It sounds like your sister has the same problem that most do who are plus sizes. Their size varies a lot, basic form may stay the same but size varies. There will be a lot of water under the bridge between now and June. Since it is a second wedding and there is a lot of time and fit could become an issue, I'd look toward a very pretty, very dressy suit with a long, loose jacket and perhaps an elastic waist or a jacket dress. I don't know what patterns are available to you in OZ but McCalls and Simplicity are both trying to combat a little of the model problem. Their models are not huge but they are better than size 2. Simplicity sure has a pretty wedding suite with a long skirt and jacket right now that would flatter many ladies. Here is a link to Fat Acceptance. If you move down the list you'll find a grouping for women's large patterns. I think that making her wedding dress is a very nice gesture on your part and I hope you can find something she likes. It sounds like she may be feeling a bit guilty about the move/marriage or she wouldn't be so sensitive. I hope it is a good idea for her, gives her a new beginning and that it works out. Either way, maybe this project will help bring you closer. Good luck! pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: weezyrider
Date: 01-07-2007, 09:44 AM (3 of 7)
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I used an Alicyn renaissance pattern for my plus sized daughter. Found a book that explained how to change the darts to gathers (high-waisted dress), so didn't have to worry about placement, and could add a little extra fabric if needed. Dress was way too low-cut, so made a ruffle and sewed it around the neckline. Biggest hassle was the bias hem, and the fact that daughter wanted the heavier brocade type stuff over a metallic fabric that would only press in one direction. Otherwise, it turned out fairly well. Weezy 
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User: weezyrider
Member since: 08-19-2003 Total posts: 218 
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From: Sancin
Date: 01-08-2007, 05:05 PM (4 of 7)
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If you go to LandsEnd site and look for a design you like you can set up a body model to see what the dress will look like. I find it quite helpful if I am not sure what I am going to make will look right. They do have plus size shapes. I believe there are other sites on line with the same fitting program but do not know where they are. Good Luck.
*~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
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User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895 
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From: Cathie.Tombs
Date: 01-15-2007, 05:21 PM (5 of 7)
| Barbara Deckert is herself at least a 26, and maybe larger, and she has a gorgeous book on Plus sewing, which tells you exactly how to enlarge patterns to fit the larger ladies, even if you start with a 12, or so. I am Plus myself, a hybrid of 14 to 24 plus. Also, 2 Canadian companies to check out, in Plus range follow. Barbara D. offers sketches to trace of Plus ladies, to help us make up designs. Try Pavelka Designs, and Sewgrand, both from B.C., Canada. Also, Sense and Sensibility pattern site has lovely styles, and lots on up-sizing too. Good luck. |
User: Cathie.Tombs
Member since: 08-27-2006 Total posts: 44 |
From: weezyrider
Date: 01-17-2007, 09:20 AM (6 of 7)
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I've looked at those sites and there simply aren't any patterns there that I would put on a younger person! We are not all in business, nor conservative in dress! Weezy |
User: weezyrider
Member since: 08-19-2003 Total posts: 218
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From: paroper
Date: 01-18-2007, 05:27 AM (7 of 7)
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I thought that we were looking for a garment for a wedding which is usually conservative, but not always. It is always a problem to find appropriate clothing for younger people when you move away from junior sizes. The pattern catalogs have done a good job of changing some of that and you can find Misses sizes that may fit at least some of the bill. It was less than 15 years ago that most pattern catalogs ended the majority of their patterns at size 16, sometimes size 14. During that time I took patterns that were size 14 and took them all the way up to size 28 for some of my clients. It can be done, that is why the fitting books are so important. I can remember when I was walking the line between 15 and 18...it was like getting a death sentance. I'll be forever damaged because at the age of 9 the only thing that could be found in OKC in a size 10 was a pair of aligator flats. Thankfully, most shoe lines now carry size 10 but back then no one did. pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
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