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When Stylearc patterns first hit the scene I just about lost my mind. Up till then I had relied, with increasingly sporadic results, on the Big 4, most often Vogue.
At that time it was becoming obvious to me that the fashion universe Vogue was inhabiting was its own space, with things that they had decided were fashionable, but outside their world weren't.
Equally, and for concern to me as a sewist who really loves construction cleverness, was that the drafting at Vogue no longer seemed particularly good, and the instructions were pretty archaic.
In that environment, and from that perspective, Stylearc was just what I was looking for -RTW sizing, current styles and in some cases interesting construction techniques, although only cryptically explained.
And the pants fit.
Fit right out of the envelope and without any alterations necessary. Who could believe that such a thing was possible?
So I bought Stylearc patterns a lot.
Many of the early ones I collected in that period were even hand-drawn on nice tracing paper with hand-lettering. Probably going to be some sort of collector's items one day, but at the time patterns like this made me feel very strongly a personal connection to the folks who drafted them.
However over time styles changed. I found more and more of Stylearc's offerings were sort of shapeless. Loose fit, particularly around my scrawny shoulders, has never looked that good on me. For the same reason I never felt I could wear anything from the Sewing Workshop - those patterns always made me feel like a flag pole draped in a flag.
But then the next change was probably in me.
Maybe Covid sealed the deal but just being comfortable became a very large priority. Some of the new Stylearcs started to look pretty good to me.
So I jumped back in and it has been going very well.
The first thing I made were some Kew pants for one of my sisters. She has a hard time getting pants for her small waist, wider hips so I decided to make her some. We used a blue linen.
First here is the pattern:
And here they are on my sister, in a video she texted me, with a note to ignore her hair. She has been a long lockdown in Ontario and couldn't get a hair appointment until next month.
She's pretty happy with these, and so am I so the next pair will be for me!
This is sort of my life. I am spending more than half the week this summer taking care of my three grandchildren here, and August 15 I am headed to Berkeley to see my youngest grandchild there.
5 comments:
Barb, thank you for bringing up the Kew Pants. I have had them on my make list but they have gotten dropped off or bumped by other things. The Sewing Lawyer posted some very nice Kews a while back so I'm eager to give them a try. And from the muslins I've made, Style Arc seems to fit my butt. Your life sounds full, and fun. Keep at it.
Theresa in Tucson
I am a big fan of Stye Arc patterns. They seem to be modern but also suitable for the more mature woman like me in her 60s. I am going to have to have another try at those Kew pants. I have the pattern and tried to make some with some in lightweight denim but perhaps that was a bit too heavy. I just couldn't get them to hang right around the back of the thighs. I know they're not supposed to "fit" being a "balloon pant" stye but I didn't expect so much extra fabric there. I'll have to try again in a lighter fabric and see if that is better but I'll make another toile first - I am not risking decent linen until I have the fit right....
No wonder your sister looks so thrilled with her new pants, they look terrific! As does the cozy robe, I need one just like that.
ceci
I just left a comment without checking the patterns. I now notice that the Asta dress has internal pockets as an option; however, I sewed the external pockets and they turned out beautifully and added some distinction to the dress. Also, I meant to say that for the Mirri dress I added interior pockets in the side seams and they worked out fine.
I have a theory that we gravitate toward designers who resemble our own style, colors and/or size. I first noticed this in RTW when I loved everything Liz Claiborne sold. She used lots of warm colors, which is my palette. I also discovered her petite collection when I was able to afford to shop in a department store instead of Marshall's, TJMax, etc.
I have rarely had good results with the Big 4 pattern companies, despite 30 years of effort. Lacking the skills to fit my figure I fear I always looked like I was playing dress up in a larger person's clothes. Such is the case when you design to fit everyone, you end up with pillow cases that fit no one.
Fast forward to my retirement which roughly coincided with the boom of indie designers. Through trial and error I have found that Love Notions, Wardrobe by Me and Itch to Stitch are my friends. Their slopers are based on shorter figures (shorter waists, shorter rise, inseams, etc). Some of them even offer choices of cup sizes (yay!). I've also discovered some brands that, despite their popularity, don't fit me at all. They tend to be designed for willowy figures by willowy designers. It's not a flaw in their patterns by any means, just that they are designing for an entirely different body type.
Now that I know what a good fit is and my skills have evolved so I am more able to achieve it, I know the power of sticking with a tried and true brand (and for inexpensive fabric for muslin garments). Thank goodness for all the choices we have today!
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