Rosemary, as you are in the UK you may be interested to know that Bravissimo have launched a clothes site too - http://www.bravissimo.com/pepperberry/
Looks interesting, especially for something special.

Fiona.

PosyP wrote:

As if "one size fits all"!

Another problem with clothes especially for the top half is that they are all cut for a 'B' cup bust (leastwise they are in UK) and the same goes for patterns (which come from USA), unless they actually specify on the label that they are for larger cup sizes - and these are very few and far between!

What to add but AMEN! ?????????

I don't sew as many clothes as I used to - but like most commenting here, I'm a bit on the "plus" side too and want clothes to fit right and flatter - plus sometimes it's just having more colour options then ready-to-wear-offers! I started out sewing clothes - even partly majored in that in university so I'm no stranger to altering patterns ot fit.

Lately I've been intrigued by Sandra Betzina's patterns offered in Vogue and have bought a couple (only when on sale tho as they are so $$$!) - I like her style and the patterns are described as "Today's Fit" - so am trying out a coat and blouse - will let you know how they turn out! Usually though, I fall back on patterns I've sewn before and like the fit of - or have adjusted to fit (I just hate those so-called "easy" jackets or tops that are for non-knits but also have NO darts - definitely NOT made for an ample busted woman!). I usually like to use knits with lycra or spandex - for comfort and packability for travel. Needless to say my serger is also my "best friend" when I make clothes for myself.

Most of all, I don't follow fashion trends that seem to be dictated to us, but go with what I like or looks best on me - and I think too, if you look around, you can almost wear anything these days and get away with it - lol - just have some confidence and do it!

I used to love sewing my own clothes, because I was 5 foot 4, 103 pounds, and shaped like an hourglass. Today I'm 5 foot 4, 138 pounds, and shaped like my mother and grandmother, so it's no fun anymore. I miss the lovely, flowing, drapey styles of the early to mid-1990s, when everything was comfortable and long and lean and flattering. And pants actually came up to your waist. (*sigh*)

DoodleNsew wrote:
I'll be really interested in knowing how this goes for you. It's an option I had not considered. But if there is an alternative since drawing patterns from scratch myself takes a lot of time I'd rather use actually sewing, I think it might be the way to go. Let us know how it goes.

I love really good fitting clothing.
I'm not as curvy and thin as I used to be so, altering my patterns to fit right is challenging.
For that reason I'm giving the computer software path a try.
MY LABEL from Bernina may be the answer to our dilema!
I'll let you know after I try it.

PDQuilt wrote:
my feelings exactly - thank you for putting it in words

PDQuilt wrote:

I learned to sew in home ec, and still remember the horrible shapeless hot pink shirt I made as a first project. Then later, one of those fitted dresses. I remember falling in love with the term "sewing notions". But I hated how stuff looked on me, after spending so much time on them! Then I found quilting. And I still love the phrase "sewing notions"! And I haven't made a quilt that doesn't look great on me! :shock:

I don't want to sew clothes! I don't even have time for quilting and I like doing that.
Lane Bryant has some decent clothes but I don't want to have to sell my children for them. :shock:
I've even found some nice clothes in Walmart but I can't remember the last time I wore a dress and I wasn't going to a wedding.

I agree with all of you. Being a plus size I do not want to look like a 62 year old pregnant lady. Loved that when I was young and pregnant, but not now. I too like the older patterns. I tell anyone just learning to sew to go buy an old pattern because they give you more detailed instructions. The newer patterns must think a person knows everything, or they are skipping the steps to make a better garment (ie. stay stitching). I like the 40's style too. The gathered skirts of the 50's are too much for my figure.

I don't know if this link might help any plus size ladies who are short of stature

http://www.petitepluspatterns.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=SFNT&Store_Code=PETITEPLUS