Great British Sewing Bee

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emmer_moans said:
Honestly, and i may cop some hate here, but i think people having a go at Tilly are unreasonable. She regularly includes plus sized models, older ladies, women of various ethnicities, disabled/differently abled women, she ticks all the right boxes so to speak. I saw the promo picture of the larger lady and did think hmmm the fit of the trousers isn’t very flattering, BUT, let’s be real here, there comes a point where unless you wear a bedsheet as a tent, some garments like culottes or elasticated trousers etc aren’t going to look as flattering on a model if they have more of a tummy in that area if you know what I mean. Even ready to wear culottes etc in shops would have the same issue. I think Tilly has tried to be as inclusive as possible, and almost all of her patterns are now in the larger size range. It’s great that there are plus sized sewists in the community. BUT, there comes a point where for certain sizes clothes just aren’t going to look as flattering compared to a model where the fabric can flow /compliment their shape as easily. I think some people are being far too sensitive and demanding of Tilly here. She’s literally ticked every box she can. Just my opinion. I’m not fatphobic but I am realistic and honest. Some of the plus plus sized sewers show their makes and great, they choose lovely fabric and are lovely people, but, i do think to myself, hmmm, those Saguaro pant trousers or culottes or whatever cannot disguise tummies/ thighs once you reach a certain proportion. It might be painful but it’s true. Everyone should be able to make clothes that make you feel good, but if you’re going to try and make trousers, for example, they might not look good if parts of your body are more pronounced, shall I say. I do generally enjoy following a lot of sewists but some of them are becoming quite entitled and moany when people like Tilly are trying to do an honest job and include as many people as she can.

I do think in general the sewing world caters for plus sized more than they did before (I mean, back in the day, if you had a waist over size 30 inches you can forget it!) but there’s only so far people can hold your hand these days. Sewists need to learn how to pattern draft/do adjustments to pattern pieces to accommodate for the more volumptuous tummy or bust etc.

Regarding Tilly reshooting a sample for her new pattern, unless she chooses a dark fabric that will hide the tummy area on camera, I’m not sure what she can change? The trousers look to be cropped palazzo style so in terms of fabric etc they seem quite forgiving already :oops: I’ve only been sewing 3 years but I think maybe their other option is to make the next size up and let the excess fabric skim over the area a bit more, and perhaps elongate the top by a few inches.
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I totally agree with you, I’m not skinny but I’m not plus size (I am off the charts for vintage patterns like you mentioned) and even at this size there are certain styles of clothes I wouldn’t wear. Like I have a big bust so I won’t wear anything with thin straps as I can’t get away with not wearing a bra, or anything super fitted as it makes me feel self conscious. It’s difficult to make everyone look good in one outfit.

I think she is inclusive which is why I didn’t really think anything of it when I saw the pattern and was like woah when I noticed the comments, I just thought maybe she could have used the fabrics the other way round as it would have been more flattering to use the patterned fabric on the plus size model. I would imagine it’s really difficult to grade patterns past a certain size as everyone carries their weight differently, all my excess weight is on my thighs whereas other people carry more in their middle.

I do like some of her patterns but not been keen on the last few, nothing to do with inclusivity. Think some of the comments are a bit extreme, was lighthearted when I mentioned the Patrick and Esme one I was just like oh ffs 🤦‍♀️🤣
 
uokhun92 said:
I totally agree with you, I’m not skinny but I’m not plus size (I am off the charts for vintage patterns like you mentioned) and even at this size there are certain styles of clothes I wouldn’t wear. Like I have a big bust so I won’t wear anything with thin straps as I can’t get away with not wearing a bra, or anything super fitted as it makes me feel self conscious. It’s difficult to make everyone look good in one outfit.

I think she is inclusive which is why I didn’t really think anything of it when I saw the pattern and was like woah when I noticed the comments, I just thought maybe she could have used the fabrics the other way round as it would have been more flattering to use the patterned fabric on the plus size model. I would imagine it’s really difficult to grade patterns past a certain size as everyone carries their weight differently, all my excess weight is on my thighs whereas other people carry more in their middle.

I do like some of her patterns but not been keen on the last few, nothing to do with inclusivity. Think some of the comments are a bit extreme, was lighthearted when I mentioned the Patrick and Esme one I was just like oh ffs 🤦‍♀️🤣
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I think you are right, perhaps switching the fabrics would have helped, plain fabric doesn’t tend to photograph well unless it’s got a sheen, I think. And you are right, women carry their weight in different places; some with having fitting issues with the crotch, some with the thighs, some with the rear, etc. Tall people always have to make torso adjustments on every pattern too, I follow some youtube sewists and bless them I could take a shot every time they say “I made this pattern, as usual, I added 2 inches the the bodice length as I am taller in the torso than this pattern block” and they get on with it and it’s not a moan, but more of a matter of fact “i have to make this adjustment for me”. There’s another Youtuber I watch who almost always has to do a round shoulder adjustment because of how her shoulders roll forwards. She just gets on with it. I do think sewists need to remember that the pattern is like a blue print, it still may need personal tweaks as we are all different. Again, everyone is so sensitive these days.

Perhaps a future episode of Sewing Bee could have a challenge specifically focussing on adjusting pattern pieces and toiling something for different sizes. Like doing a full bust adjustment, amending the neckline, adding rise to a crotch etc. I guess they do a bit of that with the made to measure rounds but perhaps a dedicated challenge seems like a good idea.

(Sorry for long posts, sewing has become somewhat of an obsession :ROFLMAO: …too many beautiful fabrics and patterns and not enough time!!)
 
emmer_moans said:
I think you are right, perhaps switching the fabrics would have helped, plain fabric doesn’t tend to photgraph well unless it’s got a sheen, I think. And you are right, women carry their weight in different places; some with having fitting issues with the crotch, some with the thighs, some with the rear, etc. Tall people always have to make torso adjustments on every pattern too, I follow some youtube sewists and bless them I could take a shot every time they say “I made this pattern, as usuay, I added 2 inches the the bodice length as I am taller in the torso than this pattern block” and they get on with it and it’s not a moan, but more of a matter of fact “i have to made this adjustment for me”. There’s another Youtuber I watch who almost always has to do a round shoulder adjustment because of how her shoulders roll forwards. She just gets on with it. I do think sewists need to remember that the pattern is like a blue print, it still make need personal tweaks as we are all different. Again, everyone is so sensitive these days.

Perhaps a future episode of Sewing Bee could have a challenge specificcally focussing on adjusting pattern pieces and toiling something for different sizes. Like doing a full bust adjustment, amending the neckline, adding rise to a crotch etc. I guess they do a bit of that with the made to measure rounds but perhaps a dedicated challenge seems like a good idea.

(Sorry for long posts, sewing has become somewhat of an obsession :ROFLMAO: …too many beautiful fabrics and patterns and not enough time!!)
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Yes 🙌🏼 I follow some tall sewists too and like you say it’s matter of fact they have to adjust. I’m bang average 5 foot 6 but I usually have to shorten the bodice on dresses etc because I have quite a short torso. I don’t feel personally victimised.

Sewing has become an obsession for me too! Really got into dressmaking during the first lockdown and not stopped since. Buying fabric and actually sewing are two totally separate hobbies I feel 😂

Would be really interesting to see an episode focusing on adjustments. Might open some people’s eyes on those comments.

Be interesting anyway to see if the reshoot for Esti appeases the critics.
 
emmer_moans said:
Perhaps a future episode of Sewing Bee could have a challenge specifically focussing on adjusting pattern pieces and toiling something for different sizes. Like doing a full bust adjustment, amending the neckline, adding rise to a crotch etc. I guess they do a bit of that with the made to measure rounds but perhaps a dedicated challenge seems like a good idea.
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Yes this would make the pattern challenge more interesting instead of getting more random. Adjust a vintage pattern to a modern day size 14, petite or tall. I'd love to see how that works.

I looked up the tilly and buttons photo in question and I think as said above that sometimes no matter what you wear you can't hide some things. After my second baby my stomach muscles split and I don't wear skirts really now unless very stiff fabric because they cling round and don't look great.
 
Greenfly125 said:
Can we have some men in the made to measure 🙈 I feel like all of the women’s clothing is doing Tony a disservice.
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I feel for him, but there is no denying the made-to-measure challenge has always been very heavily weighted towards womens' styles, and he must have known that going into the programme.

Hopefully he will have a nice time in Reduce/Reuse/Recycle Week, Vintage Week and also in Sleepwear/Lingerie Week, they tend to be the areas mens' stuff features more heavily.
 
uokhun92 said:
Off topic although she was a GBSB contestant, but any sewers on here seen the backlash Tilly and the Buttons is getting over the fit on the plus size model on the cover of her latest pattern, ‘Esti’?

I saw the pattern when it dropped on Wednesday and did think jeez yet another unflattering fabric on the plus size and doesn’t look great on her then didn’t think anything more of it but just seen Tilly has had to issue an apology! Some scathing comments on the posts with the pattern pics saying it makes it look like they don’t care about their plus size customers.

My personal fave though included the sentence ‘what would Patrick and Esme think?’ 🤣
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I've used Tilly's patterns and the sizing is quite generous, although I'm not very tall and perhaps a taller person would need to adjust/extend them a bit.
 
Those comments on TATB are crazy! I’ve always thought their patterns to be really inclusive and also really easy to adjust. I’m wearing a Mabel top right now. The Esti pattern in general is a miss for me though, I’m not a fan at all. Hopefully the reshoot will help but generally I just don’t think it’s a super flattering pattern or one of her best designs. Also unfortunately things don’t always work out right on shoots either, I’ve been on shoots for our company where sizing just isn’t quite right and you just have to work with it. I think had she not launched with a plus size model, people would have kicked off about not being inclusive.
 
I do love Reduce/Reuse/Recycle week, it brings out the lunatic side in the contestants very nicely. It and Childrens' Week are always the most fun.

The crochet things were all good fun, but given todays weather, it made me so, so sweaty just looking at the models in those woolen things!
 
Mia was very sensible in interfacing everything. Crochet isn't meant to be cut like that.
I'm glad Matthew has gone, as he was running out of ideas and his M2M was terrible this week. I thought both Tonys were wobbly this week and the non-postman Tony was pulling faces when the judges criticised him again.
Asmaa is still my tip for the win, but Lizzie, Lauren and Mia are stepping up.
 
uokhun92 said:
Off topic although she was a GBSB contestant, but any sewers on here seen the backlash Tilly and the Buttons is getting over the fit on the plus size model on the cover of her latest pattern, ‘Esti’?

I saw the pattern when it dropped on Wednesday and did think jeez yet another unflattering fabric on the plus size and doesn’t look great on her then didn’t think anything more of it but just seen Tilly has had to issue an apology! Some scathing comments on the posts with the pattern pics saying it makes it look like they don’t care about their plus size customers.

My personal fave though included the sentence ‘what would Patrick and Esme think?’ 🤣
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There used to be quite the thread about her on another forum. When she started out people were scathing about her/the brand. No idea if she's improved as I don't pay much attention to her, it's not really my style. But do agree with others that the brand has always been inclusive of different sizes.

I'm glad Matthew left! His final garment was pretty ropey.
 
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It's nice to see Lizzie find her feet in the last couple of weeks and now it looks like she might be finalist potential. Assma is an amazing sewer but Mia seems to be better at design and the made to measure which might give her the edge. I loved Lauren's jumpsuit too this week

I know nothing about sewing myself, but even I could see that Matthews's pattern would not work with crochet - why choose something with a puffy skirt?
 
That was such a horrid challenge really in as much as crochet isn’t meant to be treated or used like that. I felt it was rather anti the theme as well, given they took good blankets out of the second hand market and turned them into items that aren’t likely to be worn, plus the waste from cutting 🤷‍♀️

Using the handmade gifted baby blanket seemed a bit brutal. And Patrick dissed those sleeves.
 
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Stillwater said:
That was such a horrid challenge really in as much as crochet isn’t meant to be treated or used like that. I felt it was rather anti the theme as well, in as much as they took good blankets out of the second hand market and turned them into items that aren’t likely to be worn, plus the waste from cutting 🤷‍♀️

Using the handmade gifted baby blanket seemed a bit brutal. And Patrick dissed those sleeves.
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It's like they are trying to mix it up a bit but I don't think those garments (with exception of Mia's) are likely to be truly wearable.

The preview of next week seems a bit interesting, using art 🤔

I want more technical challenges or pattern drafting or something. I'm not quite as into it as I have been in previous years, but Matthew going will probably help 😅 He was a bit too attention seeking for me. Fauve also.
 
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