Let's Talk About Experimenting

June 27 28, 2025

Well, I thought this had gone out on Friday, but then when I didn't get anything in my email, I thought - well, that stupid email company I subscribe to is jerking me around.  Uhhhh - ooops!  I forgot to click <Send>!  So a day late, but nevertheless helpful - hopefully!!!!  

I love to preach experimenting.  There's absolutely nothing more fun than playing with an idea and forming over in your head to working it out into something not only fun, but a treasured part of your wardrobe.  

This top was a blast to do, it went together fantastically well, and it's tough not to pull this out of my closet every day.  I love how it came out.  It's flattering, works in my wardrobe, is comfortable, is a joy to wear, and makes me feel great.  That just about hits all the bases for a home run for me!  

It's not always that way, even for a professional.  I have many things in my wardrobe that lack a little this or that to make them really a "home run" piece.  And sometimes I wonder what in the world I was thinking to think something like this would look good on me?

This is the "new look" on the runway - oversized.  Few people (outside 3% of bone-and-skin-thin models) would look decent in this getup - and that's a stretch, cause this look isn't flattering at all.  The truth is that even the models look like refugees from a third world war or something.  This is an oversized top that would engulf anyone and make them feel like they had on a whole house, not a garment.  

Then there's this, that isn't as big as a house, but still very boxy.

This art-to-wear has some interesting details that might translate into a more flattering garment, but these styles can not, in any form, be considered flattering or even allude to a feminine shape.  Their whole function is to cover up and that's it.

The band on the left with the denim is a fabulous match (buffalo check with denim - both 100% western wear, and keep in the tradition of western garb).  And the neckline of the garment on the right looks great.  But both have no illusion of a figure, just a big box covering everything.  I'm not even sure where the shoulder is on the right view. This isn't elegant or fashionable - it's just meant to cover a big shape and that's it.  

Then there's this:

The execution is exquisite, the fit looks fabulous, and it's comfortable.  But nothing is flattering about this; it makes a person look much wider than she is.  And there are so many other better choices.  

Yes, this is a new look with a curiosity about it, but that's about it.  I don't believe you have to give up those four parts of a garment to have all four parts included.  

• Comfort
• Individualization
• Flattering
• Fashionable

These past fashions should never have been out there, but here they are...

For a quick review, some other "styles" that are so bad - starting upper right, clockwise; Oversized anything (there are lots of examples here), MC Hammer - great show, no go on the pants; Cargo pants do not look good except when you're in the jungle.  Oversized anything includes shoes - they are way out of proportion, Undersized doesn't work either - short pants, especially those ones that are tailored and look perfect till you get to the hem, Undersized rise - please can we end with the hipster that's only a thong show, More oversized shoes in purple no less, boys (men don't do this) who wear their pants at their mid-thigh and not at the waist, in center, Oversized and inflated still doesn't work, and in the center which you can't see, but any flimsy fabric that is woven so thin with yarn that is half the substance of regular yard so that it tears and doesn't last through one wash.  

The point is that these sorts of fashion fads aren't necessarily tasteful or timeless.  These styles are only timeless in what NOT to wear, more than anything else.  

 

OK - let's stop for a minute and look at these people.  They all look "normal."  They look like they know what's up and what's down.  Some of them look downright sharp, and some look rich even though they aren't wearing any jewelry, but a pair of earrings.  That's the look of timelessness.  

But here's the problem: when you see something that's not right or looks off-kilter,  you need to go with that feeling, even if everyone says it's the latest thing, MC Hammer pants do not look good on anyone.  Neither do clunky boots with 2" soles.  Let's not talk about the risk factor of falling down from breathing in the stratosphere or just losing one's balance!  

I get a little miffed at the promotion of "art-to-wear" and other forms of boxy cover-ups that really don't do anything to enhance or flatter the shape of a person.

This is lovely workmanship (click the photo for an enlargement), and great placement of the design elements, good balance without being symmetrical, interesting but not conflicting patterns in the fabric, and just gobs of style in the fabric - even that collar is great looking.  But the shoulders are off the shoulders and there's no shape in the body of the garment, just an effort to cover-up what's under there.  It's just a box as far as the shape and line of the garment.  And with that one thing that's wrong, suddenly the whole thing loses it.  

Here's the test:  where's the waist in this outfit?  Where's the bust?  Where are the hips?  Where are the legs?  Everything is covered up.  About the only thing that shows faintly are the shoulders, but then it looks like yards of fabric are falling off the shoulders, and there's no tailoring, or shaping or even fitting around the shoulders.  

And the worst part is that it doesn't have to be this way.  Most women are sold a bill of goods, that clothes don't need to fit;  that consumers don't need flattering clothes;  that expecting fit, flattery, and durability in clothes is folly and impractical.  And that couldn't be further from the truth. 

Each one of these ladies is considered overweight, and yet they look stunning in these outfits.  To think that the normal Jane-on-the-street has to settle for less is ridiculous.  To think that we sewists have to settle for less in patterns that either exaggerates our bad points or, at the very least, doesn't flatter our figures, is also a lie.

I've worked with too many clients who looked fabulous in my garments because flattering lines and cuts are just as important as comfort and technical execution.  

This kind of thinking I call a cop-out fashion.  Sort of what Karl Lagerfeld used to say about sweats:  It sends a signal that you've given up and just put something on to cover everything.  Granted, our figures "sag" as we get older, but that doesn't mean we have to give up! 

None of these gals look like they've given up and most of them still have a lot of sass in them, and their clothes show it.  

So when I see sewing sites or pattern sites that are recommending patterns like this:  

I would recommend passing on this.  There are many fine pattern companies out there, and even more fine patterns out there that can show off your figure and make you look smashing.  I've said this before, but two of my favorites right now are Jalie and StyleArc.  But stay in your silhouette.  If you're a Pear or an Hourglass, wear white on top, dark on bottom.  Accentuate your top.  If you're an Apple or Rectangle, wear those light colors on the bottom and accentuate your bottom and stay classic, slim, and trim on top.  There are other rules, but these are the basics (yes, I feel another newsletter topic coming!!!!)

Most of all, remember that no matter what your shape, you can look flattering and comfortable and stylish to your life all at the same time!

The SewingArtistry Resource Library is designed to contain information to not only make your sewing better, but to aid in you fitting and flattering your shape, size and style.  Check it out. 

Look for future classes coming in 2024
The Core Pattern Shirt, (one of my favorites for woven core pattern that you can make into a myriad of different garments), 
Basic Knit Top (core pattern class for knit basic tops, shells, tees, dresses, and tunics)
 

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