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Member since 12/17/06
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Posted on: 12/25/07 3:16 AM ET
When I first started looking at PR photos and especially when I first started to make photos of myself in my various creations, they never looked good enough, not like the fashion shots in mags etc. I felt tempted to do things to conform more to the 'stick insect look', like cheat by lengthening my legs in Photoshop.

But recently I have noticed that i am much happier with my own photos and find that other members' photos look great too. I think I no longer have this mental image that fashion needs to be shown on someone very thin and long to be appealing. I can't say I am unhappy with the change, it feels very healthy to me. I just wish I could somehow share it around, especially with young people. I work at a girls' college and see so many kids so unhappy with their body image.
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Be you. The world will adjust.

Central Coast of NSW, Australia
theinsouciantstitcher.wordpress.com
  
Member since 1/1/06
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Posted on: 12/25/07 4:09 AM ET
That's interesting to hear, and I'm not sure how that can be spread to others, esp young girls.
It is very affirming to post a picture of yourself on here wearing a self sewn garment and get positive feedback.
I still have some trouble translating line drawings from pattern envelopes to image how they would work on my body, but think it may be time for some new croquettes.
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Sewing in Nottingham, England
http://ruthieksews1.blogspot.com/
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Member since 12/28/04
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Posted on: 12/25/07 9:46 AM ET
In reply to rivergum
A lovely revelation. I think that great fit has a lot to do with people of all shapes looking good in their clothes. Learning what is appropriate for our bodies, ie picking and choosing whats out there, is another way to look great. But, in the end, we all need to accept and be comfortable in our own skins. My daughter says that the stick models are the anomaly and the rest of us are the normal ones. At 21 she has a very good body image.
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www.nancyksews.blogspot.com
  
Member since 6/26/05
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Posted on: 12/25/07 11:06 AM ET
I have often wondered if the demise of home ec classes in schools has contributed to poor body image in teen girls. I'm quite sure that most of the girls I took those classes with are no longer sewing - but they probably still have this idea at the back of their minds that clothes can be made to fit the body - not vice versa. I don't remember us obsessing over weight back then, in junior and senior high school. Not like now, where 10 year olds seem to be going on diets.
  
Member since 10/29/03
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Posted on: 12/25/07 10:23 PM ET
I sometimes think we (I) get so use to what we see in the media (movies, magazines, etc.) that we forget what "normal" people look like. Not just how our clothes should fit, but everything. I think that's especially true for women as they age & try not to look older. I recently had a moment when I saw an actress & thought "she doesn't look very good" and then it occurred to me that she looks "natural & normal" for her age. Normal, aging women have breasts that aren't always high & round and normal teeth aren't super bright white and normal women have a little belly or thighs, etc. We, women, tend to be so critical of ourselves, don't we and try to look the way society has deemed "good" or "pretty" or "young" or whatever? It would be good if we could accept ourselves & just be our best self.

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Beverly
  
Member since 10/18/04
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Posted on: 12/26/07 2:31 AM ET
In reply to Nancy K
Quote: Nancy K
I think that great fit has a lot to do with people of all shapes looking good in their clothes. Learning what is appropriate for our bodies, ie picking and choosing whats out there, is another way to look great.

Well stated, Nancy.

I see so many women wearing ill-fitting clothing and price point seems to have little bearing on it. But, I have to remind myself that there seem to be few opportunities for women to learn about proper fit. Much info is available about styles and fashion but if it doesn't fit it doesn't look good.

One of the joys of being a custom clothier is educating a willing client about proper fit and proportion.
-- Edited on 12/26/07 2:34 AM --
-- Edited on 12/26/07 2:35 AM --
  
Member since 12/3/05
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Posted on: 12/26/07 7:18 AM ET
Most reviews here on PR show women wearing carefully sewn clothes that fit. Of course, there are exceptions, but most photos show women who are attractively and tastefully dressed, even in their most casual clothes. Naturally, they look great.
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No sewing project is ever a complete success nor a total failure.
  
Member since 10/14/03
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Posted on: 12/26/07 9:43 AM ET
I think your revelation is wonderful. Because I'm overweight, I was reluctant to post pictures of myself wearing my creations,. So, I'd post pictures of my projects on my dress form. However, the women who follow the plus size category convinced me to post pictures of my creations on my body, so others could get a better idea of how the garment looks on a real plus sized person. They were right, and I now post pictures of myself wearing my creations, even though I look nothing like the models we see in the media.

We all have imperfect bodies, but we can sew garments that fit our imperfect bodies and be proud of how we look, even though we don't fit the reigning image of the perfect woman. I think the same is true of PR members who aren't plus size, but have "real" bodies.
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If I sewed any slower, I wouldn't be sewing at all.

  
Member since 12/28/04
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Posted on: 12/26/07 10:33 AM ET
In reply to OP Gal
Quote:
We all have imperfect bodies, but we can sew garments that fit our imperfect bodies and be proud of how we look, even though we don't fit the reigning image of the perfect woman. I think the same is true of PR members who aren't plus size, but have "real" bodies.

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There have been threads about how many times a pattern is reviewed and should people review the same pattern, especially on popular designs. Absolutely! I look for designs on women with similar figure flaws. I much prefer to see women in their clothes instead of on their forms. I am guilty of this too, but I have enlisted both my dh and my dd to take pictures or put my camera on my tripod. There is a wonderful Maya Angelou interview that I got this morning in e mail that talks about living our lives and learning to love ourselves as we age. I'll see if I can post it here.
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www.nancyksews.blogspot.com
  
Member since 12/28/04
Posts: 13915
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Posted on: 12/26/07 10:34 AM ET
In April, Maya Angelou was interviewed by Oprah on her 70+ birthday. Oprah asked her what she thought of growing older.
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And, there on television, she said it was "exciting." Regarding body changes, she said there were many, occurring every day... like her breasts. They seem to be in a race to see which will reach her waist, first.
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The audience laughed so hard they cried. She is such a simple and honest woman, with so much wisdom in her words!
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Maya Angelou said this:
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"I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow."
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"I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights."
   Â
"I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life."
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"I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as "making a life."
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"I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance."
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"I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back."
Â
"I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision."
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"I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one."
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"I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back."
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"I've learned that I still have a lot to learn."
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"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."
  Â
Please send this to five phenomenal women today.
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If you do, something good will happen: You will boost another woman's self-esteem.
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If you don't... the elastic will break and your underpants will fall down around your ankles! Believe me, I didn't take any chances on MY elastic breaking.... I sent it to a lot of special women I care for.



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www.nancyksews.blogspot.com
  
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