I stumbled into this blogging site
www.burdastyle.com
I must say – it has revised my wish to get back to doing creative dressmaking!
By that I mean seeing what I could do with a burda pattern!
Does anybody else feel the same when you look at what the younger bods get up to? I know you might all think that as I’m teaching I must see loads of interesting ideas – and I do – but for some reason this site has made me think about a)what I wear myself b)how staid I am without actually realising it re. my own wardrobe and c)just HOW creative can I be and still wear the stuff I make??
Now I’m on shorter working hours – I’m going to get back to more dressmaking for myself because a) I can be inventive b) it will hopefully save a little money(when i find good quality fabric on the net[in an older post I have moaned about the lack of good local fabric stockists]) and c)now I’m getting close to that age when I can “wear purple” I won’t worry so much about wearing unusual clothing.
Watch this space!
PS> I know a lot of the stuff on the blog is for younger, smaller women – but Burda is great for the styles for me(ie. older and fatter) so it is now up to me(and as many of you who might possibly think the same after browsing the site)to upload our own versions of the Burda stuff we make!!
PPS. forgot to say that the downloadable patterns are ok too!
Edited 9/12/2008 12:46 pm ET by JanF
Replies
I get excited too, and I really hear you. I just have to take some time to learn how to make stuff that will be flattering. There are some patterns that are younger feeling fashions, but can be worn by maturer women.
I don't like all of the "classic" designs. I like unusual stuff. I don't want the "little black dress" in the same old sheath style. I want it crocheted, or some odd shape, or hem or "something" besides the same old thing. I just don't make many actual clothes. That's why I have been crocheting, knitting and sewing coats and jackets that give me the much needed punch I want in my wardrobe.
There have been times when my car was "out of order" in one year or another, and I had to take public transportation. Most people look so drab. Most people tend to wear brown, black, grey and all the shades therein. I get on the bus with a spashy jacket, scarf, shawl, or coat and I sometimes get smiles.
After the Jazz fest, I went part the way with a friend on public transportation to her car, and I had on a really wide brimmed staw hat (Audry Hepburn style) and people complimented me while others looked on in awe. So, yes I hear you. You want some of the gusto in life, its not just for the young, its also for the young at heart.
I also saw some Burda patterns I like, I almost bought one the other day, but it wasn't practical for the fabric yardage I'm trying to work with, so I bought what I could use right now. But I'll get it. And I am inspired to respond to you here, when I do.
I'm so pleased it isn't just me that feels this way and yes - enthusiasm is bustin out at the mo! Just been looking at a newspaper supplement with emphasis on London fashion week. tartan and lace - oh crikey the 2 things I find the hardest to wear!
However - in the true spirit of an adventurer I have thought - hang on - for a start the lace doesn't have to be black - which makes me look as if I have died and been dug up again! The tartan hasn't got to be in your face either!
Possibly a new challenge - how to use lace and tartan in a more "user friendly" way for the Xmas do? - or even any do - or work - or just generally for someone of my age and look?
I just read your little thread commenting on how everyone looks so drab, etc. etc. and it reminded me of the time (13 years ago!) my oldest daughter was living in downtown Chicago and I was back there helping her with her newborn. It was early August. One day I walked from her apartment to the old Marshall Fields store on State St. and since it was summer I was wearing a brilliant turquoise pant outfit that felt cool, but "elegant". It always seemed to emit compliments from someone whenever I wore it so I felt it was appropriate. It was one of those Bali rayon, taped lace jackets with solid rayon pants and tank outfits. I did notice ladies wearing boots and black skirts and sweaters, but it wasn't real hot downtown right by the water so I just thought they were probably dressed that way for "the office". Anyway the clerk in M.F. remarked how pretty my outfit was and then wanted to know where I was from. She then said she wished the locals would wear more flamboyant color instead of being so drab. I probably wouldn't have worn that outfit if I had thought it was going to stick out. I do not like calling attention to myself! After that I began to wonder, when people would look at my attire, just what they were really thinking!
Ahhh, the inner you has started to cry out! It is just a matter of finding what works for YOU! A while back, there were some YouTube videos on who really wore all that high end designer runway stuff, and how it was really worn. Very Interesting! It is not a matter of what the SWT (Sweet Young Things) wear, but how we incorporate what is good on US! I personally am disgusted, make that DISGUSTED, by the ugly unflattering prints and clothing that the RTW people think us lovely larger ladies should wear. I still have proportionate curves, just proportionately larger. So why wouldn't I want to wear nice stuff. So I make my own, in my choice of beautiful styles and colours to suite ME. Cathy
Yes, you are right about the awful prints (and the awful plasticy fabrics), and I just wonder who the designing guru is who makes all those t-shirts with large horizontal stripes on them.
How right you are! I just cannot understand how clothing manufacturers can make anything for anyone above a size UK 16(sorry bust 38)that incorporates such huge horizontal stripes. Another beef for me is the fact that in most of the shops for the "larger" lady the fabrics are the most hideous polyester derivatives - I thought the old "crimpeline" look should surely have died by now! - They have just updated it a little!
Oops - just realised that i am in danger of sounding like a grumpy old woman! Must stop!
One good thing about being somewhat older is that WE remember crimpelene and won't fall into that path again, for sure. But you are right (again), the old polyester crimpelene has had a resurgence. What do they call it now?
How funny, the timing of this thread!
My daughter from Seattle and her friends - all early 30's - were over last night, and Nikki, who is 5 foot nothing, and Jennie were both lamenting the sorry state of RTW clothing these days. ... at ALL price points and sizes! Styles seem "designed" (I use the term loosely) for 15YO sticks, there isn't even much out there for healthy, curvy 25 or 30YO's. And if you want to dress like a professional business-person, not like you just got back from a hot date, the choices are even thinner!
"Make your own" may be a personal solution, but what can be done to improve the overall state of things?
and Ummm, what is/was Crimpelene? Sounds scary! :0
Kharmin
I believe crimpeline was the name in Britain for one of the first polyester fabrics, it was thickish, usually with an imbedded pattern (flowers, geometrics). Everyone loved it, it was washable of course and like nothing at all like what was on the market. It did have a tendency to snag.It came later to North America and I don't recall what it was called here. I remember it in the 1970s in Canada and in the early 1960s in the U.K. Now I see it in the shops, particularly made into little shrugs or jackets, nowadays it has a little more loft and might even be fuzzy. It is stretchy and may be a knit. Awful stuff.
Just remembering that stuff made my skin crawl. It felt awful against your skin...sort of like recycled plastic bags...didn't breathe at all.
I actually have seen little dresses made from polyester double knit! Whatever! I would not wear it then, I will not ever wear it now. There must be warehouses stocked full of the stuff somewhere as the stuff is indestructible. Guess someone has to find a use for the stuff. Cathy
I know JUST what you mean! I am sick of seeing the same old patterned fabric being churned out in RTW - some of them have got to be YEARS old and usually on c....py fabric that has all the body of a wet dish rag!
Don't mass producers of RTw ever do any fact finding re. their products. Unfortunately they must sell to someone or they wouldn't keep producing and it can't all be down to price can it as the reason why people still buy it?
I do confess that I am usually found in plain fabric - I like colour when wearing stuff - but am not always confident that the patterns I choose are actually that flattering - you know that feeling that the dress is wearing you and not the other way around?
However - I am trying to update myself - the best way to do this I find is having duaghters who shop with you and are not afraid of telling you "NO,NO,No, Mum" and also get you to try on styles you would never have considered. Now Ive just GOT to find a good fabric supplier to transfer it into clothing I will enjoy wearing!
This is the hardest job I find - and another reson i revert to plain fabric.realyy must remember to use the spellcheck!!
Edited 9/13/2008 4:41 am ET by JanF
It is an easy fix. Start with a favorite pattern that you know and love and you know looks good. Pick a fabric that "bites" you, one that excites you. Take it to a mirror, fabric stores have them. Unwrap a lot off of the bolt and DRAPE a whole bunch around you like a dress or blouse. Then look at yourself in the mirror. See what the colour and pattern does. Don't just let the fabric hang straight. Bunch it up, gather it up, break up the pattern a bit. Play with it against your skin. See how you feel after a few minutes. If the drape, colour and feel are good, go for it. Once you have a feel for what fabric types you like, it is easier to shop for a wider choice on the net. Fabric shopping is just like clothing shopping, only the clothing has not been made yet! Cathy
You see - you are just describing the one thing that I feel I cannot do across the net! My friends joke with me - 'cos if they come clothes shopping with me - they say the very first thing I always do is feel the fabric - then look inside the garment at the label and the finishing. I know that somehow net shopping will never be the same for me and no substitute for the real thing - how can you trust the colour reproduction on the screen, never mind how the fabric surface pattern looks in reality.
I suppose what I need is a site that shows you the fabric close up - with good colour accuracy - and then somehow shows the fabric at a distance with something in the picture that gives it a reference to a body shape/size relationship. I've yet to find a website that does this well enough for me to buy with confidence. Could you recommend any good sites that would also ship to the UK?
Edited 9/14/2008 1:25 pm ET by JanF
Are you a long lost twin? I drive my kids nuts turning clothing inside out. I feel everything! They refuse to go into a fabric shop with me.
I cannot shop online either, but am thinking this decision over. I have been looking over some sites that have some lovely stuff I CANNOT get here in Canada at the shops where I live. I am lucky to have the sources I do have. I know there is far more out there than what commonly available in the shops. The buyers in shops buy according to their tastes and budgets. I have the same problem with reference to size relationships. And I am PICKY. But I am going to have to go by guess and by gosh on some beautiful stuff I have seen. I am familiar with the manufacturers, and the quality, and saw similar stuff in the store. I am still researching. Others will probably be able to tell you better. Cathy
Oh dear - obviously its a trait that a lot of us perfect!!
I'd be pleased if u would share with me any of the good sites u find to buy fabric from - I am seriously depressed over the way it is going re. fabric shopping in my neck of the woods.
Most of what I saw was what was in the list from the Threads magazine and what other Posters listed in another posting on favorite sites. One of the ones I was most interested in was one that was related to a contest for quilts and dolls, they had beautiful cotton prints, which for the life of me I cannot remember the name of right now, and I have misplace my notebook (again...)
As I do not have charge cards, I was looking at the other payment options on the sites....And the CDN shipping options, so I am sorry I do not remember the UK shipping...however, I believe most ship international now anyhow.
From where you are, would you not have better access to European sites? France, Belgium, German etc? When I was in Holland a few years ago, (more than a few I guess, the fabrics in the shops I was in, were a lot nicer than what I could get here) and a lot different. Expensive, yes, but so much nicer. And they seemed to be ahead of us by at least 2 years. Cathy
i do like fabric from Europe - but have not found a good website - just bought when I have been over there - Bruges in particular had some lovely fabric shops!
I am determined to persevere with finding a good fabric stockist - and yes I downloaded the list of suppliers from Threads - but not all supply to Uk and its a long way to return goods if it isn't as i expected.
really I think I am probably being a pain in the a..e over this and just need to bite the bullet and order some - perhaps start with UK sellers!
Jan
I guess like anything else, you always like what you can't get at home. Hope you find a good source. If I trip over something in my search, I will keep you in mind. Cathy
Thanks Kathy
Just for fun, I typed UK fabric in google, and quite a few neat sites came up. Some looked promising, some looked like good references. Did the same under the gatherings search, and quite a few came up there also. Might find useful info there. Cathy
I'll do the same and seewhat comes up - thanks Jan
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