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Losing Weight and Sewing
KathrynL   Member since 2/2/13 Posts: 1	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 2/4/13 1:54 PM I am in the process of losing some weight. When is the best time to sew some clothes - when you are almost at your target or now and hope and pray you can take it in later?
westmoon   Advanced Beginner UNITED KINGDOM Member since 9/7/11 Posts: 261	Login to reply to this post 4 members like this. Date: 2/4/13 2:20 PM I have the same problem. As I am still a relative beginner, I have chosen to sew as I lose because it gives me a chance to make things and not feel too bad if they're less than perfect because they may only be needed for a short period of time. I've also so far mainly concentrated on things that are relatively easily taken in (skirts) and also knits which are pretty forgiving to weight loss. I have no plans to tackle trousers, jackets or anything time-consuming or 'special' until my weight is stable again. I've also been mainly using inexpensive fabrics. At the moment, however, I am also working on woven tops which is not intuitively something that seems useful to work on when you are fitting a moving target. However, I'm using it as a way to learn about the fitting process. Plus, of course, some fitting issues are unaffected by weight, like my square shoulders, bust point position and so forth. I am in a slightly unusual position because I gained most of the weight I am trying to lose very rapidly while I had treatment for thyroid disease. I also happen to know pretty well what all my measurements were at my goal weight. As a result, I know how the shape of my body changes as I lose weight quite clearly -- for example, I know that no matter how much weight I lose my cup size remains roughly the same. ------ http://sewingnovice.blogspot.co.uk/ One woman. One sewing machine. One giant stack of fabric. What could possibly go wrong?
michellep74   Intermediate CA USA Member since 7/19/07 Posts: 2300	Login to reply to this post 3 members like this. Date: 2/4/13 2:45 PM I'm about 1/3 of the way through a weight-loss journey at the moment. I'm trying to stick with fast-and-easy projects that will give me a lot of mileage, pound-wise. Knit tops and knit/elastic-waist skirts seem to be my best friends right now. I'm not planning to tackle anything structured or that has much fitting involved until I'm closer to my goal and/or my rate of loss slows down a bit. ------ --Michelle *** Blog: http://happilycaffeinated.blogspot.com/
Clareew   Intermediate UNITED KINGDOM Member since 5/10/06 Posts: 920	Login to reply to this post 4 members like this. Date: 2/4/13 3:18 PM I have made some Marcy Tilton trousers which I have put elastic in the waist. Instead of sewing the elastic together, I join it with a safety pin - this allows me to adjust it as I get smaller. They are now so big that I am donating them and deciding on new styles to make. I have now lost 49lb (22kg) and have found that many of my fitting problems such as rounded back have disappeared. I can also feel my shoulder bones so it is so much easier to find where to mark. There is a Threads article about 'sewing with the idea of taking in later' I will look to see if I can find it. ------ Clare Blog: http://art-by-clare.blogspot.co.uk/ Machines: Juki F600, Juki 654 serger, Bernina 550 for art work, Janome Coverpro 1000cp barely used A Singer Featherweight Centennial and an old Necci in the loft waiting for TLC http://art-by-clare.blogspot.co.uk/
sew2006 Advanced ON CANADA Member since 6/24/06 Posts: 1704	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 2/4/13 3:45 PM I've lost apr 25lbs in the last 4 months. I did take in a couple of pants down about 3 sizes. The pants were made from good quality fabric with little wear. The RTW pants I picked up all ended up on the mending pile. There's a couple tops I refashioned because the sleeves were too tight, tops too short, button up blouses tight across the back. Now I'll have some sleeveless shells for warmer weather. I also want to sew some knit tops, the styles are looser right now and a serger can nip in later. Worse think is to keep wearing clothing that's several sizes too big. If I waited until my ideal weight I'd have nothing to wear. If by some mirracle I used up my entire stash I could always get more. ------ Janome10001, Babylock ESG3, Brother ULT 2001, White 634D serger, Pfaff 1472, Singer featherweight, Singer 14T957Dc, Bernina FunLock 009DCC coverlock, Brother PQ1500S, Janome CP900.
PattiAnnJ   Advanced OH USA Member since 12/3/06 Posts: 4980	Login to reply to this post 2 members like this. Date: 2/4/13 3:48 PM Threads Magazine; issue 120/page 46: Sew Clothes That Keep On Fitting.
PattiAnnJ   Advanced OH USA Member since 12/3/06 Posts: 4980	Login to reply to this post 3 members like this. Date: 2/4/13 3:48 PM Sew Clothes That Keep On Fitting. link -- Edited on 2/4/13 3:58 PM --
Changma   Advanced Beginner NY USA Member since 2/20/12 Posts: 409	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 2/4/13 4:12 PM I just recently (3 weeks ago) began my own weight loss journey, down just a fraction under 10 pounds, at least 50 more to go. I have spent a lot more time working on things for my daughter, but I do need to work to finish a dress for a wedding next month, and can't shy away from the fact that I NEED clothes, especially since I joined the Make Your Own Clothes for a Year group...and very obviously, the Slow Sewers Group The idea of knits and elastic waists are great, but don't you find that the clothes that flatter you change as you lose weight? And, as I have been carrying this extra weight around for more than 10 years, through my middle age and into beyond, I don't even know what will be flattering.This will certainly be an interesting journey...it's reassuring to know there are others in this group on the same road. And thank you, Clareew; it's a bit encouraging to think that my rounded back issue might eventually be resolved. -- Edited on 2/4/13 4:15 PM --
DonnaH Intermediate TX Member since 10/1/03 Posts: 458	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 2/4/13 4:48 PM As your current clothes stop fitting, reward yourself w/ something new. If you don't, the "old" clothes will make you feel like you haven't lost any weight at all. You can always go with elastic waists (I like the safety pin idea - the opposite of what we do for toddler clothes, lol), and tops that are knit or have a good amount of ease (you can belt it to show off you new waist!). Just use fabric (knit or woven) with a nice drape - the stiffer stuff may make you look larger. Some styles will last longer through your weight loss - usually those that aren't extremely fitted. Look for bust darts only or no darts at all. New Look 6110 is one I made recently that works well as either a loose tunic or belted. If you get to a weight where these new clothes are too large, you can always donate them (Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc.) - so you can almost think of this as sewing for charity, but you are giving them a road test first! Stacy London always says you need to dress the body you have today - not the one you wish you had or the one you used to have.
stirwatersblue Intermediate KS USA Member since 12/13/08 Posts: 2468	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 2/4/13 5:36 PM I would say it really depends on how fast you sew, and how much weight you might lose. I had this issue several years ago, and made some clothes (Renaissance fair garb) in July that were too large by September. Disheartening, because I never got to wear them! I had to make everything all new again in the fall. ------ ~Gem in the prairie

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