MAKING YOUR OWN CLOTHES

Photo - Wikimedia Commons

I have an interesting (to me, that is) question for readers.  Based on what women in other countries do,   how many Australian women today actually sit down at their sewing machine and "make" their own clothes?    Up until the 1970s and even 80s, many women regularly increased their wardrobes by making their own clothes as well as accessories.

Today, for the size 16-plus woman, this seems to be a very good idea.  That is, if she can acquire a selection of patterns that allow her to choose and adapt her size, according to what size she may be at any point in time.

For however often she looks around in the stores that claim to be for the size 16-plus, she is confronted with nothing that is sufficiently different to what she sees in every other store.  In other words it seems that the "current trend" at any season is decided upon by small-minded business prople who think that anything mass produced, looks the same (but in different colours) will suit every type of woman.  Regardless of age, shape or size.

We need to encourage women to consider sewing.  On a sewing machine.  Or even as I have known - to make a garment by hand.  And this wasn't in the early 20th centure, this was earlier this year.  

The biggest problem is to find good, and I mean distinctly stylish and practical patterns.   Burda patterns were very good and they came out with some excellent books that contained multi size patterns, for modern, smart clothing.   I'm not sure whether patterns books are still available (as opposed to single patterns)  however here is their site.   http://www.burdastyle.com 

Knitwit sewing books are also excellent (especially the Kwik-Sew Lingerie Book) http://www.knitwit.com.au/KwikSew-Sewing-Instruction-Books.html

I've recently been contacted here by a local lady who is seriously considering bringing out her own line of patterns for the size-plus, and it would be interesting to hear from readers as to what they consider to be a good size range to be provided in patterns.   Particularly thinking of the Australian women and her changing shape.

What I'd really like to see is a range of disctinctly Australian garments - I think it's about time we found our "national identity" in our own style of clothing.   Do you think that's possible?

I look forward to hearing from you,