...so many patterns, so little time!
![]()
Since I'm not sewing, I've been visiting blog land HARD! I mean I've been reading blogs that I skimmed before or had never visited...gotta do something to fill up all that non-sewing time! *LOL* So I noticed that there are some pattern gems out there that I've never considered before that are being sewn up into some amazing garments.
Also in that extra time, I've visited quite a few pattern sites...referred there by the same sewists, that have made those amazing garments and I have two observations.
One ~ I will never sew all of the patterns that I like.
I have an amazing collection of patterns that I just keep adding to. With each cycle of patterns distributed by the big four, I add another round of patterns to my collection. I also own a dozen years of Burda World of Fashion magazines, which are finally coming out of storage in the new and improved sewing room (Did y'all notice how positive I'm being here! *LOL*) from which I need to sew more of. There is just so much pattern goodness out there now!
Two ~ Why don't the new indie pattern makers size up past a 16/18?
I know Style Arc now has plus size patterns, though I haven't bought any yet because nothing thrills me. If I'm going to pay for shipping from across the world, I don't really want to buy a pattern that's similar to something from the Big 4.
Lolita Patterns is working on a plus size, as well as, average size line and I will be trying them out. I have two Cake Patterns on my list to try, too. But I want to get in on The Archer Shirt craze too, however, the pattern only goes up to a size 18.
So let me run down a list of several new indie pattern designers whose patterns only go up to a size 16 or 18 that I noticed in my blogland travels: Colette Patterns, Victory Patterns, Sewaholic, Megan Nielsen, Sew Chic and Jamie Christina Patterns are all graded no larger than an 18. I have two choices here - purchase one and grade up or forego the pattern and purchase only the Big 4 and the couple of indies who do make plus size patterns mentioned above.
I'll admit that I've been loathe to blog about the lack of upsizing in the new indie patterns because I truly understand if they have an audience they want to reach and I'm not part of it. It just really hit me this weekend while blog grazing that there are some very cool & funky styles out there that I would like to make for my daughter (age 25, same size/little bigger than me) or even a version of Megan Nielsen's Tania Culottes for myself. Hey lengthen those culottes and they'd be part of an amazing Friday work outfit or weekend/vacation piece. (As an aside I know I don't generally sew weekend for myself but I'm thinking maybe if I did I might leave the sewing cave more...)
Anyway, I'm in awe of what some of the younger (as in younger than me) sewists are making. I'm feeling encouraged that another generation will carry sewing on and that our artform will continue to thrive and grow.
Now I'm off to watch the second half of the NBA Finals - Heat vs. Spurs - cause who knows who's going to win this!
...as always more later!
Also in that extra time, I've visited quite a few pattern sites...referred there by the same sewists, that have made those amazing garments and I have two observations.
One ~ I will never sew all of the patterns that I like.
I have an amazing collection of patterns that I just keep adding to. With each cycle of patterns distributed by the big four, I add another round of patterns to my collection. I also own a dozen years of Burda World of Fashion magazines, which are finally coming out of storage in the new and improved sewing room (Did y'all notice how positive I'm being here! *LOL*) from which I need to sew more of. There is just so much pattern goodness out there now!
Two ~ Why don't the new indie pattern makers size up past a 16/18?
I know Style Arc now has plus size patterns, though I haven't bought any yet because nothing thrills me. If I'm going to pay for shipping from across the world, I don't really want to buy a pattern that's similar to something from the Big 4.
Lolita Patterns is working on a plus size, as well as, average size line and I will be trying them out. I have two Cake Patterns on my list to try, too. But I want to get in on The Archer Shirt craze too, however, the pattern only goes up to a size 18.
So let me run down a list of several new indie pattern designers whose patterns only go up to a size 16 or 18 that I noticed in my blogland travels: Colette Patterns, Victory Patterns, Sewaholic, Megan Nielsen, Sew Chic and Jamie Christina Patterns are all graded no larger than an 18. I have two choices here - purchase one and grade up or forego the pattern and purchase only the Big 4 and the couple of indies who do make plus size patterns mentioned above.
I'll admit that I've been loathe to blog about the lack of upsizing in the new indie patterns because I truly understand if they have an audience they want to reach and I'm not part of it. It just really hit me this weekend while blog grazing that there are some very cool & funky styles out there that I would like to make for my daughter (age 25, same size/little bigger than me) or even a version of Megan Nielsen's Tania Culottes for myself. Hey lengthen those culottes and they'd be part of an amazing Friday work outfit or weekend/vacation piece. (As an aside I know I don't generally sew weekend for myself but I'm thinking maybe if I did I might leave the sewing cave more...)
Anyway, I'm in awe of what some of the younger (as in younger than me) sewists are making. I'm feeling encouraged that another generation will carry sewing on and that our artform will continue to thrive and grow.
Now I'm off to watch the second half of the NBA Finals - Heat vs. Spurs - cause who knows who's going to win this!
...as always more later!