I think sewing for oneself is a journey into discovery of one’s personal style and preferences. Through sewing, I have discovered that navy blue is my staple neutral, not black. I prefer knit tops to woven blouses, and jeans or trousers over dresses. Lifestyle factors into it as well, but, as cute as some of the patterns may be, I don’t want to spend my time on garments that I know I don’t like to wear. I am presently working on my second Heather blazer and planning to make another three! I am enjoying your channel. Thanks for sharing.
I really enjoy your introspective content, and need to catch up on your conversations with Jess. Since I haven't really started making my own clothes yet, what I wear has been determined by what has been available to me ready to wear. As a fairly large women now in my 50s, there weren't nearly as many options through the early part of my life as there are now, and I got into the habit of mostly wearing tops and pants. Skirts and dresses used to mean pantyhose and nice shoes... also difficult with my hard-to-fit feet. Even though standards have changed, with pantyhose being optional and casual sneakers quite common with skirts and dresses, it's still been difficult to change the mindset that dresses and skirts aren't 'fancy' clothes. I do have a few now, and I like them, and I even want to make some, but I still have the obstacle of reaching for them without it feeling odd to overcome. For such a long time, my clothing criteria has been: is it big enough, is it long enough to hide my tummy, are the sleeves long enough to cover the part of my arms I don't like. And once that is determined, then it's pick the color or pattern (for a long time, it was just whatever dark neutral, pay-me-no-attention option available). As the years have gone on, at least the options for colors and patterns has gotten much better, but it's hard to break the mindset of how I need to dress to be less objectionable. It's been really beautiful to see how size inclusivity has improved generally, and when I started consuming sewing content, it was really eye-opening to see all the possibilities there are for me to explore. To be able to see some of these patterns on larger bodies, to see how different people of all sizes are choosing to style their clothes, all the fabrics and colors and pattern hacking was such a revelation. Truth is, until I decided to learn to sew, I'd been checked out on 'style' for a long, long time. Then I thought, if I could just find one style of top I like with sleeves I could make the right length, that could be cool. And now my head is filled with sooo many possibilities. I know I won't like everything I make, and some things may not feel like me, but I've become so much more comfortable with that not being my 'fault' because my body is 'wrong'. Bit of a tangent, but you talking about feelings you might be carrying over from before your breast reduction got me to thinking, and so here I am. I'm so glad you started a channel, and I'm happy to have found you. You're such a gem.
I'm so happy that Sam's vlogs are helping you to change the way you feel about yourself and how you dress. Wearing what makes you happy and feel good is the most important thing, I think and the beauty for me of getting older is that I genuinely don’t care as much what other people think. I wish you lots of enjoyment in your sewing and style journey.
@@SewVeryLaura Thank you! Her vlogs, and those of some others, have definitely been steps in a positive direction. I've not only been inspired by seeing content from larger-bodied vlogists, but seeing others champion size inclusivity when it doesn't have to be a personal concern for themselves has been such a lovely, welcoming experience. And when you see those like Sam embracing their own personal style, talking about both the wins and the things that don't work out quite as hoped, it's both inspiring and grounding. So kind of you to reply to my comment 🙂
I'm the same but with dresses, Sam. I just can't imagine wearing a dress around the house, walking the dog, driving anywhere. I think it's a lifestyle thing. They're just not practical for me. I live in the Frozen North too (Northumberland), so it's cold here. Trousers! Leggings under a skirt is the nearest I've got. However, I'm about to have a go at the Sew Liberated Hinterland dress. I got a chambray from Legend Textiles at £2.50 per metre for it. I'm optimistic!
I can see you in a blouse made of soft floating fabric, pants/ trousers soft crepe wide leg not too wide, and maybe a belt and your matching jewellery and heels.
Regarding blouses, I’ve just finished a wearable toile of the Be Mine balloon sleeve top by Pattern Emporium and I love it. The sleeves are to die for. I’m usually more of a shirt type of girl but this one is gorgeous. If you take out the centre front seam it’s perfect for some bold statement fabrics. Right up your street I’m thinking Sam 👍🏻
Love the two 'test' ideas - I also love Pound Fabrics - can't wait to see them finished. I downloaded the Mica dress last week but am working up the courage to tackle it (and wear it!) so I look forward to seeing yours made up. You're going to be a busy girlie...
I love a blouse (and rarely make/wear dresses), my faves are the Paddington Top and the Sagebrush but I have other patterns I want to try including the Tilda. Hope you find something you love
Enjoyed your vlog. I love pound fabrics too. Such good value. I would love to come to your virtual social at some point. I don't wear blouses very much and I've never made one but I may give one a go at some point. Will be interested in seeing what you make.
Love your video. I love wearing blouses, but hate ironing, so usually keep them for best! If only cotton and other breathable fabrics didn’t crease so much! Looking forward to your findings on this.
Rib knits are my favorite type of knit fabric. You are right, they are not created equal in regard to weight, thickness, amount of stretch and size of the ribs. With this fabric, you can have a nicely fitted garment with the utmost comfort because of the inherent stretch that moves with you but doesn’t bag out. Smart move to order a variety. I hope you enjoy rib knit as much as I do. There are also a lot of stripe pattern rib knit. My favorite to wear is variegated stripes. A bit of work to match the stripes but worth it to me. 🌷
Hi Sam. I love your ponderings. Yes please on a quilted jacket comparison! Another factor on blouses might be the comfort factor. If it's got a stand-up collar that lays close to the neck or a high neckline or is very fitted, the woven fabric can really be constricting, especially if you're used to wearing jersey with that lovely give or you have a neck and shoulder issue (both are in play for me). On the buttons in front, I used to make the buttonholes horizontal and set them back a bit from the center of the placket so if there was any strain at the bust the button would be less likely to pull out of the buttonhole on it's own. The vertical buttonholes can gape open and release the button pretty easily if there is any pull. I love the look of a collar peeking out of a jumper or vest or sweatshirt. And I love the feel of cotton and the coolness of it in summer. But when it cools down, I'm always cold in a woven cotton shirt (unless it's double gauze), whereas with a jersey knit top, I stay warm longer as things cool down. Also the collared blouse look is more formal than fits with my casual retired lifestyle these days. You are so busy with so many projects -- I'm in awe of your energy and enthusiasm! May the Sunday sewing social be amazing, Antonia
Hi.. blouses are not a staple for me. I like the Remy raglan and I wear the FP sagebrush in long and short sleeves. I found another way to look at it. I have some dresses I like and I’m making a blouse version! I’m making one for April . I’ll let you know how it goes
I think sewing for oneself is a journey into discovery of one’s personal style and preferences. Through sewing, I have discovered that navy blue is my staple neutral, not black. I prefer knit tops to woven blouses, and jeans or trousers over dresses. Lifestyle factors into it as well, but, as cute as some of the patterns may be, I don’t want to spend my time on garments that I know I don’t like to wear. I am presently working on my second Heather blazer and planning to make another three! I am enjoying your channel. Thanks for sharing.
I really enjoy your introspective content, and need to catch up on your conversations with Jess. Since I haven't really started making my own clothes yet, what I wear has been determined by what has been available to me ready to wear. As a fairly large women now in my 50s, there weren't nearly as many options through the early part of my life as there are now, and I got into the habit of mostly wearing tops and pants. Skirts and dresses used to mean pantyhose and nice shoes... also difficult with my hard-to-fit feet. Even though standards have changed, with pantyhose being optional and casual sneakers quite common with skirts and dresses, it's still been difficult to change the mindset that dresses and skirts aren't 'fancy' clothes. I do have a few now, and I like them, and I even want to make some, but I still have the obstacle of reaching for them without it feeling odd to overcome. For such a long time, my clothing criteria has been: is it big enough, is it long enough to hide my tummy, are the sleeves long enough to cover the part of my arms I don't like. And once that is determined, then it's pick the color or pattern (for a long time, it was just whatever dark neutral, pay-me-no-attention option available). As the years have gone on, at least the options for colors and patterns has gotten much better, but it's hard to break the mindset of how I need to dress to be less objectionable.
It's been really beautiful to see how size inclusivity has improved generally, and when I started consuming sewing content, it was really eye-opening to see all the possibilities there are for me to explore. To be able to see some of these patterns on larger bodies, to see how different people of all sizes are choosing to style their clothes, all the fabrics and colors and pattern hacking was such a revelation. Truth is, until I decided to learn to sew, I'd been checked out on 'style' for a long, long time. Then I thought, if I could just find one style of top I like with sleeves I could make the right length, that could be cool. And now my head is filled with sooo many possibilities. I know I won't like everything I make, and some things may not feel like me, but I've become so much more comfortable with that not being my 'fault' because my body is 'wrong'.
Bit of a tangent, but you talking about feelings you might be carrying over from before your breast reduction got me to thinking, and so here I am. I'm so glad you started a channel, and I'm happy to have found you. You're such a gem.
I'm so happy that Sam's vlogs are helping you to change the way you feel about yourself and how you dress. Wearing what makes you happy and feel good is the most important thing, I think and the beauty for me of getting older is that I genuinely don’t care as much what other people think. I wish you lots of enjoyment in your sewing and style journey.
@@SewVeryLaura Thank you! Her vlogs, and those of some others, have definitely been steps in a positive direction. I've not only been inspired by seeing content from larger-bodied vlogists, but seeing others champion size inclusivity when it doesn't have to be a personal concern for themselves has been such a lovely, welcoming experience. And when you see those like Sam embracing their own personal style, talking about both the wins and the things that don't work out quite as hoped, it's both inspiring and grounding. So kind of you to reply to my comment 🙂
Wow! Congrats on the almost 1 year anniversary and having 2K plus subscribers!❤
I like the CC tee you have on. Great vlog!
Thank you xx
I am Barbara sounds like the perfect name to me 😊😉
Great vlog once again. Yes please to a dedicated video on patchwork jackets and patterns . Happy sewing.
The ‘I am Barbara’ blouse looks amazing! I would love to see you in it.
Just having breakfast, then getting ready to come to your Sewcial
See you soon x
I'm the same but with dresses, Sam. I just can't imagine wearing a dress around the house, walking the dog, driving anywhere. I think it's a lifestyle thing. They're just not practical for me. I live in the Frozen North too (Northumberland), so it's cold here. Trousers! Leggings under a skirt is the nearest I've got. However, I'm about to have a go at the Sew Liberated Hinterland dress. I got a chambray from Legend Textiles at £2.50 per metre for it. I'm optimistic!
I can see you in a blouse made of soft floating fabric, pants/ trousers soft crepe wide leg not too wide, and maybe a belt and your matching jewellery and heels.
Thankyou for reminding me I have had the mica on my mind but couldn’t remember what the pattern was
Regarding blouses, I’ve just finished a wearable toile of the Be Mine balloon sleeve top by Pattern Emporium and I love it. The sleeves are to die for. I’m usually more of a shirt type of girl but this one is gorgeous. If you take out the centre front seam it’s perfect for some bold statement fabrics. Right up your street I’m thinking Sam 👍🏻
Ooh thank you I will have a look at that xx
Love the two 'test' ideas - I also love Pound Fabrics - can't wait to see them finished. I downloaded the Mica dress last week but am working up the courage to tackle it (and wear it!) so I look forward to seeing yours made up. You're going to be a busy girlie...
I love a blouse (and rarely make/wear dresses), my faves are the Paddington Top and the Sagebrush but I have other patterns I want to try including the Tilda. Hope you find something you love
Enjoyed your vlog. I love pound fabrics too. Such good value. I would love to come to your virtual social at some point. I don't wear blouses very much and I've never made one but I may give one a go at some point. Will be interested in seeing what you make.
Love your video. I love wearing blouses, but hate ironing, so usually keep them for best! If only cotton and other breathable fabrics didn’t crease so much! Looking forward to your findings on this.
Thank you so much xx
Rib knits are my favorite type of knit fabric. You are right, they are not created equal in regard to weight, thickness, amount of stretch and size of the ribs. With this fabric, you can have a nicely fitted garment with the utmost comfort because of the inherent stretch that moves with you but doesn’t bag out. Smart move to order a variety. I hope you enjoy rib knit as much as I do. There are also a lot of stripe pattern rib knit. My favorite to wear is variegated stripes. A bit of work to match the stripes but worth it to me. 🌷
Hi Sam. I love your ponderings. Yes please on a quilted jacket comparison! Another factor on blouses might be the comfort factor. If it's got a stand-up collar that lays close to the neck or a high neckline or is very fitted, the woven fabric can really be constricting, especially if you're used to wearing jersey with that lovely give or you have a neck and shoulder issue (both are in play for me). On the buttons in front, I used to make the buttonholes horizontal and set them back a bit from the center of the placket so if there was any strain at the bust the button would be less likely to pull out of the buttonhole on it's own. The vertical buttonholes can gape open and release the button pretty easily if there is any pull.
I love the look of a collar peeking out of a jumper or vest or sweatshirt. And I love the feel of cotton and the coolness of it in summer. But when it cools down, I'm always cold in a woven cotton shirt (unless it's double gauze), whereas with a jersey knit top, I stay warm longer as things cool down. Also the collared blouse look is more formal than fits with my casual retired lifestyle these days.
You are so busy with so many projects -- I'm in awe of your energy and enthusiasm! May the Sunday sewing social be amazing, Antonia
Great video so many good plans 😊😊
Thank you xx
Snap! I'm also at the cut out stage with a Tilda blouse.
Hi.. blouses are not a staple for me. I like the Remy raglan and I wear the FP sagebrush in long and short sleeves. I found another way to look at it. I have some dresses I like and I’m making a blouse version! I’m making one for April . I’ll let you know how it goes
xXX 👍👍👍
Thank you xx