Have you seen the new summer clothing patterns?!

[Betty J.]

Well, I just perused the summer patterns for the big four companies online. I was disappointed. Here we go again, back to the 60s and 70s. Very very short summer dresses, :shock: styled exactly like the 60s and early 70s--unless they are very very long peasant styles styled just like the 60s and 70s. I can only figure the designers miss the hippy days. :lol: Also there is nothing for us big gals but bags (draping maternity looking clothes) and boxes (squarish with no shape)--they must think we lose all sense of style because we lose our girlish figures. Sigh.

I had some hope there for a while that clothing was returning to real fashion. Maybe this fall things will be better. I guess I'll have to pull out some older patterns again this year, or come up with my own designs (I can do that, but it takes time), because i really want to make myself some new summer clothes appropriate and stylish. I'll just set my own style.

My favorite era for clothing was the 1940s and early 50s. What is yours?

[Margo C.]

BJ, I was thinking of that just the other day! I haven't sewn clothes for years, but miss wearing clothes that FIT! With bust darts and waist shaping....and not made out of cotton knit fabric! Not sure where I would wear such a frock these days, but I miss 'em! :roll:

Having said that....I won't give up my jeans and tees either! :wink:

[Kathryn S.]

Betty Jo, I have a couple of photos of my mom taken just before 1940, she was wearing fitted "day dresses". she looked very pretty and stylish. I grew up in the 60's so went through minidresses and on into the era of shapeless baggy clothes. As far as I'm concerned, the 40's were fabulous styles and flattering to women.
Kathy

[Kathryn S.]

I really liked the fitted clothes also. I have looked at dresses for years and have not bought any because I am not 18 any more and I don't want styles that look like I am; but, I also don't want styles that make me look frumpish. I want classical styles that fit well.

[Betty J.]

Margo, I also love jeans and tee shirts for quilting days! I also like comfortably fitted shirts and artistic jackets and vests. Kathy, I grew up in the same era. So I think we should set our own styles...fabulous and flattering and STILL comfortable--better than any other era!

[Betty J.]

I really liked the fitted clothes also. I have looked at dresses for years and have not bought any because I am not 18 any more and I don't want styles that look like I am; but, I also don't want styles that make me look frumpish. I want classical styles that fit well.

Ritzy, I agree!

[Betty J.]

http://wesewvintage.wordpress.com/

Here is a blog that should make your heart sing..... This lady has the right idea... click on her links ... like minded bloggers will pop up....also sources for vintage patterns. I think your biggest problem will be is finding FABRICS that will be suitable to dress making.

lOOK UP BISHOP SEWING... there are still groups out there that teach clothing sewing, tailoring, etc. Some of those ladies sew for payment.


THERE IS A HOT MARKET IN OLD PATTERNS out there.... people buying / others selling. Of course I found out about that after I burned 25 years worth of old patterns in a bon fire.

If you google VINTAGE SEWING BLOGS you can find more.... some of them will even sew

Also write to the store owners / managers/ buyers..... but remember more styling and sewing cost more for the manufactures so they pass the cost on to us.

[Betty J.]

No... I do not sew clothes except for heirloom baby clothes.....christening gowns. I personally live is scrubs, Jeans and t shirts and pjs. I do have go to church clothes and formal wear but I very rarely need to get them out of the closet any more. I THINK I LIKE IT THAT WAY.


here is pattern sources.....
http://www.momspatterns.com/

[Pam D.]

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

http://www.petitepluspatterns.com/mm...ode=PETITEPLUS

[Catherine S.]

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. :lol: 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. :lol: :lol:

[Eileen K.]

I don't want to sew clothes! I don't even have time for quilting and I like doing that. :cry:
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. :roll:

[Paula D.]

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:

[Paula D.]

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:

:lol: :lol: :lol:

[Lotti D.]

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:

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

[Lotti D.]

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.