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Has learning about sewing changed how you look at clothes?
lareine   Intermediate NEW ZEALAND Member since 11/10/06 Posts: 1043	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 7/17/10 7:11 AM Has learning about sewing changed how you look at clothes? The more I learn about sewing and pattern alterations, the more critical I become of the clothing on other people and on televison. I am certain that six months ago I would have been oblivious, but now I can't help myself. If something fits badly my eye is drawn to it immediately, and I mentally run through the changes necessary for the garment to fit correctly. Even with something that does fit well, I find myself analysing the construction process. Was that skirt cut on the bias? Does that dress have a crinoline under it? How deep did they scoop out the crotch on those trousers? Etc. Please tell me I'm not the only one
ryan's mom PA USA Member since 11/30/04 Posts: 4371	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 7/17/10 7:23 AM Not sewing, but rather learning how to fit. I'm much more critical of ill-fitting clothes on myself and others. As for others, I keep that to myself. ------ Big 4 Pattern size 12, RTW bottom: 6, RTW jacket 8, RTW top (no size fits me well!) Measurements: 34 HB/36 FB (34C bra)/27.5/36 (and working hard to keep it that way.) Machines: Sewing (Janome Memory Craft 3000 and Kenmore 158 Series machine), Serger (Babylock Imagine), Embroidery (Janome 300E) If you think your sewing is better than everyone else's around here, get out of my way b****. I hate sewing snobs. My blog: www.phatchickdesigns.blogspot.com
Blubelle Beginner AUSTRALIA Member since 4/5/10 Posts: 53	Login to reply to this post In reply to lareine Like this post Date: 7/17/10 7:34 AM Yep! It's made me realise how much of my existing wardrobe consists of clothes that I settled for because they were 'close enough'. It makes me a lot more critical of RTW, especially styles. With all the freedom sewing skills give you, I think of all the ways a garment could be much more attractive and wonder why it isn't. Not that I know how to actually apply those ideas, yet.
Lynnelle   Intermediate MI USA Member since 4/8/07 Posts: 2376 Board Moderator	Login to reply to this post In reply to lareine Like this post Date: 7/17/10 8:21 AM You're not the only one. I don't go shopping much because fit is always an issue but when I do, I am certainly more critical of RTW. I consider the style lines, fiber content, construction, and finish.
Miss Fairchild   Advanced USA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 6990	Login to reply to this post In reply to lareine Like this post Date: 7/17/10 8:28 AM I think we all reach a point in our learning process to make the world a better place, and this is just one of those points. When I was taking a pants fitting class here on PR, I found so many pairs of ill-fitting pants around me, that I was appalled. It was if people didn't care what they looked like; throw a paper bag on them and they'd feel the same way. Analyzing the construction process is part of the learning. When I learned about rotating darts, I felt like Helen Keller when she learned about water. My mind was racing as to how many functions I could give to darts and where they would end up. Sad to say, I haven't used too many of those functions. But the learning was there and I'm happy about it. When I was in the fitting class, I was told to look at ill fitting clothes; it's where I learned. I couldn't have found out about forward rotating shoulders, high round back, heavy inner thighs (aka "wedgies") etc, if I didn't. You're not the only one; many others here who choose to remain anonymous will share my thoughts, and yours! ------ "We don't impose our rhythm on Nature. The key is to respect and live within Her." Jean-Charles Boisset, Winemaker "And no, now that you asked, I didn't enjoy that play one bit, and I'd like a refund" Signed, Mrs. Lincoln My Etsy shop: auntmaymesattic My blog: auntmaymesattic.wordpress.com Avatar: First place award for jacket at county fair
iluv2sew61   Intermediate MD USA Member since 10/13/07 Posts: 45	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 7/17/10 9:48 AM I also don't shop much anymore. But when I do, I sometimes end up settling for things that don't fit as well as they should or as well as I could make them. For example, I recently bought a pair of shorts (on sale) that gapped in the waist because I wanted a new pair, but didn't have time to make them. But, what I really notice is how poorly most things are made unless you shop high-end, which I can't afford to do. So, I find myself sewing so much more. Luckily, I love sewing and this way, I don't have to see someone else in the same, exact thing. ------ http://sosewsimple.blogspot.com/
Sewnsewmom Advanced Beginner Member since 7/31/08 Posts: 780	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 7/17/10 10:01 AM I know that I do. I just wore a rtw skirt the other day. It fit fine except for the waist. It was a little big. I compared that skirt with some skirts that I have sewed recently. I am very proud of those skirts. Not only how they look, but how they fit.
Leu   Advanced Beginner NY USA Member since 1/21/10 Posts: 297	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 7/17/10 10:04 AM I'm such a beginner that I don't notice much about fit but I do look at RTW clothes much differently, mostly around hems and neck lines. Now I look at something I'm wearing in a way that helps me have more realistic standards for my own sewing skills and what people will and will not notice if I wear it out of the house. I have a shirt I made that I just love but the neck in the back puckered a little bit so I've never worn it out of the house, thinking, "people will see this!" Looking more clearly at RTW I realize, "no one will ever notice." The other way I look at RTW now is always, "I'm going to make that!" or "I love that fabric!" And finally, I think about labor situations. I know. Not a fun topic to combine with sewing, but in my neighborhood here in the city, if you walk down one of the busy streets, it's filled with the racks of clothes the little shops put out and the clothes are dirty cheep. Right now around the corner, I can get a shirt that is basically New Look 6807 in several different prints, 3 for $10. There are not horribly made but the fabric is cheep. I walk past that rack and think how long it took me to make NL 6807 and I realize some where there is a room full of women cranking these shirt out. If they're charging $10 for 3, I imagine very little of that money is making it's way back to the seamstress. Leu
marec   Intermediate OR USA Member since 5/11/08 Posts: 3545	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 7/17/10 11:10 AM I rarely go shopping for clothing though I might do more if I had access to department stores. A friend of mine owns a consignment store, and the quality of garments there is so wonderful. I live in a ranch town-those "ladies who lunch" in my area must do their shopping in San Francisco, New York and Paris. There is no medium priced clothing available here-either cheap, mass produced crap or Linda's store. I look at RTW for style ideas, and fabrics used. I'm very honest about construction-I know how much time I have and what level of detail I'll tolerate in sewing. I'll sew tops, blouses, easy pants, dresses and easy jackets. Tailored stuff is a stretch for me. Couture candidate? nope! ------ my blog: http://kf-biblioblog.blogspot.com/ Sewing through my pattern stash-125 completed.
M.S. Intermediate Member since 3/6/09 Posts: 1138	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 7/17/10 11:46 AM Yes! The more advanced I get, the worse I am, too. I can hardly stand to buy RTW anymore. ------ Pfaff 138-6 Brother PQ1500S Necchi 4795 US Blindstitch 718-9 Kenmore 16644 Janome CoverPro 1000 Singer 201-2

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