by 1 person |
This is a wonderful time for plus size women to sew their own clothes. Sewing pattern companies have noticed that there are real women in the world who do not look like the models on the runway. There are two things happening which are bringing about changes. The first is that runway and magazine models are getting thin to the point of being very unhealthy and this is affecting the health and self-esteem of young girls. The second is the simple fact that the majority of women do not fit the image presented by designers and manufacturers.
A New Market
Plus Size women have finally been noticed by designers and manufacturers. At one time, plus size patterns were limited in number, design, and styles. There is a growing trend to market to women as they are rather than as perceived models and TV stars. The days of small sizes only are beginning to fade and a vibrant new market is emerging.
Definition
The definition of Plus Size is extra large or oversize clothing size. Other terms used are full figure, outsize, and bbw (big beautiful woman). The definition however, does not include a definition of regular size - oversize as compared to what? This has been left up to individual marketers who have tended to use a very small size for comparison.
Generally, any size over 14 is considered plus size, however, defining plus size clothing varies from company to company.
Different pattern labelling is used:
* By number: 16, 18, 20, etc.
* By the letter X meaning Extra Large: (X, 1X, 2X) (XL, XXL, XXXL) (XL, 1XL, 2XL).
* By the letter W after the number, meaning Women.
Patterns for women are referred to as Misses sizes. Patterns for plus sizes are referred to as Womens sizes. I see this as very confusing labelling. Misses patterns very often include plus sizes so you are restricting your choices by only looking at womens plus size patterns.
Generally, any size over 14 is considered plus size, however, defining plus size clothing varies from company to company.
Different pattern labelling is used:
* By number: 16, 18, 20, etc.
* By the letter X meaning Extra Large: (X, 1X, 2X) (XL, XXL, XXXL) (XL, 1XL, 2XL).
* By the letter W after the number, meaning Women.
Patterns for women are referred to as Misses sizes. Patterns for plus sizes are referred to as Womens sizes. I see this as very confusing labelling. Misses patterns very often include plus sizes so you are restricting your choices by only looking at womens plus size patterns.
Size Charts
If you look at the size charts for Butterick, McCall's and Simplicity, shown in the web article, you will see that Butterick starts their plus sizing at 14, however, McCall's and Simplicity start their plus sizing at size 18. All have the same bust size of 40 for size 18. So if you consider a size 14 or 16 to be a plus size, you could overlook many patterns by looking only at plus size patterns.
The average American woman is 5'4" tall, weighs 140 lbs, and wears a size 14 dress. Assuming this statistic to be correct, any size on the upper end of the average scale is considered a plus size. 60% of American women now fall into the plus size category.
The average American woman is 5'4" tall, weighs 140 lbs, and wears a size 14 dress. Assuming this statistic to be correct, any size on the upper end of the average scale is considered a plus size. 60% of American women now fall into the plus size category.
Sewing Pattern Companies
Sewing pattern companies have noted this trend and changes are now being introduced into the sizing of patterns.
Butterick features actress/designer Delta Burke, on their patterns; a beautiful women with a wonderful flair for fashion, and an advocate for the plus size woman.
McCall's has extended the size of its misses patterns up to size 26, made women's sizes more fashionable, and added new half-size patterns.
Simplicity has adopted the HOAX Fashion Formula of full-figured body types, created by Mary Duffy. These patterns are designed to create a visually more flattering shape.
H is fairly even in the bust and hips, but straight at the waist;
O is biggest at the waist, narrowing toward the shoulders and hips;
A is larger below the waist than above and widest from a front view at the thigh line;
X is a curvy body with a full bust and hips and an indented waist.
Butterick features actress/designer Delta Burke, on their patterns; a beautiful women with a wonderful flair for fashion, and an advocate for the plus size woman.
McCall's has extended the size of its misses patterns up to size 26, made women's sizes more fashionable, and added new half-size patterns.
Simplicity has adopted the HOAX Fashion Formula of full-figured body types, created by Mary Duffy. These patterns are designed to create a visually more flattering shape.
H is fairly even in the bust and hips, but straight at the waist;
O is biggest at the waist, narrowing toward the shoulders and hips;
A is larger below the waist than above and widest from a front view at the thigh line;
X is a curvy body with a full bust and hips and an indented waist.
Enjoy Shopping at KarensVariety.com
Please visit Karens Variety and enjoy shopping in my store where you will find a large selection of patterns and pattern books, both new and vintage. Choose patterns which are mailed to you or patterns which are downloaded instantly in PDF format. The selection changes regularly so please sign up for the monthly Newsletter and receive FREE patterns, articles and special offers. You will also receive a weekly notice of New Listings. Enter the monthly Contest.
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b-fab_society wrote...
Great lens! This is really helpful information for members of the b-fab society who like to make their own clothes. Thanks for creating it. Feel free to drop by our lens and say hi anytime.
Posted August 22, 2008
by www.karensvariety.com
Hello! My name is Karen Lonergan and I am the sole proprietor of a patterns store, Karens Variety. I live by a lake in beautiful Ontario, Canada, with...
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