I am new to this discussion site and I am looking forward to tapping into all the knowledge out there!
I have a fitting problem that I struggle with, and was wondering if anyone has a similar problem and if they have conquered it.
I generally use a size sixteen pattern for any top garments and that fits well in the bust area. However I have very narrow hips and if I use the size sixteen hip cutting lines the garment often has an unplanned for peplum look. I do often use multi-sized patterns, but find that cutting the hip at size 12 for my hips changes the intended outline.
Any help out there?
Replies
ELB;
Everyone has little quirks with their bodies. If you are a size 16 on top and a 12 on the bottom, then you are just going to have to work with it. Perhaps you could try silhouettes that are more fitted in the bodice, and wider at the bottom. Ie a tailored jacked with a pleated or A-line skirt. By adding volume on the bottom half, you will help to balance it with the top half and give the appearance of having one overall size.
Love Yourself, and others follow
You might not be getting many replies to your question because so many of us have to deal with much wider hips than we would like!
Most sewers have to use one size for the top half and another for the bottom half; the key to doing so seems to be where you shift from one size to the other. If you have a short torso, you'll need to switch fairly high up, but if you have a long torso, you'll have to switch lower down. In your case, it sounds as if you are switching to the smaller size a little too low, so that you have a peplum effect happening from having too much fabric over your hips.
Not all styles or intended outlines are going to work with all figures; maybe the pattern you're using works better for hourglass or pear-shaped women. Instead, a style with a planned peplum or a sheath or column dress, which looks awful on those figures, might look great on yours.
Thankyou for your suggestions. I particularly like the thought about choosing a design that is actually intended to have a peplum. That might be very effective. Thanks again. ELB
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