Replies

1. 
   kaitydid | May 05, 2008 11:26pm | #1

   i am 13, and i already have issues. i span several sizes, and find it easier to design my own clothes. i have a 35 in. chest, 24 in. waist, and 35 in. hips. i don't particularly like adjusting patterns, so i have an adjustable dress form, and that works well for me. it's a singer. hope that helped.

2. 
   BernaWeaves | May 05, 2008 11:30pm | #2

   I've taken two sewing with handwovens classes from Daryl Lancaster, and she's great.  The best part of the classes was watching her fit the patterns to everyone in class and learning how to make the appropriate adjustments to the patterns.

   In theory, I'm a perfect size 6, but in mail order ready to wear I'm a 4, because they always make them big so you're less likely to send them back.  However in sewing patterns, I'm a 14, because they're still on the old 1940's sizing.  I have long arms and legs and a short waist, so I've always had a pattern fit to me before cutting anything out.

   Berna

1. 
   sewelegant | May 07, 2008 02:53am | #3

   As I was reading your post I noted you mentioned the patterns using the same sizing as in the 40's and I remember vividly the BIG change in the 70's that was supposed to make the pattern sizing more like ready to wear.  I went from a size 14 pattern to a size 12 and this sizing has not changed since then (mine has, but not the pattern industry"s)  I don't think there will ever be a way for patterns to mimic the rtw world because of the non regulation of their sizing.  If we want it to fit we just have to measure.  I guess we could have our own sizing labels made up and if anyone wonders what size you are ... surprise them!

1. 
   Josefly | May 07, 2008 04:10am | #4

   Love that idea, of making our own labels and inventing our own method of sizing. Some of the women's catalog clothing has sizes A, B, C, etc. It's just too easy to get pulled into mental self-rejection based on numbers that are just arbitrary anyway.