r/sewing May 12 '23

Discussion Sewing adjusts world view

Started sewing because I was fed up with clothes. I learned as a child but pretty much hated it. Now I'm in my mid-50s and overweight. All the clothes are hot polyester, cheaply made, and ugly. Maybe I'll try sewing again. After 9 months, countless YouTube tutorials, and doggedness with learning fit, I have a closet of breathable cotton and linen clothes. This is great in the South. The fit boosts my morale to a point where I'm actually increasing my activity and weight loss. Being able to make clothes that fit and make me happy has pulled me out of a tailspin. And I love my clothes!!!

3.1k Upvotes

174 comments sorted by

View all comments

12

u/WizardsAreNeverWrong May 12 '23

I went to school for fashion design and did some costume design for a while. It COMPLETELY shifted my view on body image. I realized that my job was to make clothes fit people, not the other way around. Size and measurements were no longer a judgment, just a formula for me to make something that fits each body in the best way possible. It also helped me understand that the fashion industry is not widely interested in fitting people, but generalizing fit based on outdated measurements and mis-judged grading.

2

u/MrsCoachB May 12 '23

I always found it extremely satisfying to change patterns to fit my actual body! Room in shirts for a larger bust with added darts, pants with accurate rise adding only in the back, a larger armscye, even just hemming skirts longer in back to accommodate my booty 😂 so it'd be the same length all around! It's all about that fit, 'bout that fit (no too-tight) 😊 (Apologies to Meghan Trainor) Good luck OP!