A short time ago I woke up one morning and did the usual, checked Facebook before even getting out of bed. I was quite shocked to find a screenshot off MY blog of MY Ginger Jeans posted by someone else. This person stated that she couldn’t understand why I was so happy with the fit and that they fit terrible. Some people in the group proceeded to pick apart all the things wrong with my body and my fit.
Totally rude and unacceptable. I was shocked, hurt, and then angry as hell. How dare she belittle me and steal my photo. I typed up a comment stating it was my photo and asked her to take the post down; which she did – or an admin did, I don’t know. She never apologized and that is the reason I’m still stewing inside over it. It hurt, and it made me question my sewing, and my body.
SO, I decided to do a little experiment. To prove to myself that sewing my own things is something I should continue. I have 4 pairs of pants in a collage below. 3 are ready to wear, store bought. 1 is self sewn. They all have their fit issues; the pants do, not my body. My body just needs the pants to be adjusted. Some look good in some areas, some in others; none are perfect.
A different layout to see the fit differences better
Pair 1: Levi’s Curvy Bootcut; size 14. The waist actually fits pretty nice (shocking since store jeans
never fit me in the waist). The jeans are thin and I feel like they look “bumpy” on my body because they are so thin. They are ok, the material is not soft like the rest, but it’s not scratchy either. slightly loose.
Pair 2: Lee No Gap Waistband Curvy Fit Bootcut Jeans; size 16. The waist gaps even though it has a built in elastic part. The elastic waist part makes me feel itchy (allergic to latex and sensory issues). The fabric is nice, thicker, soft. I like how they look in the front and side. I can’t get past the waist. not loose, not tight, I like how they feel in snugness.
Pair 3: Gap Curvy Flare; size 14. They no longer make these, they are my favorite RTW jeans. They feel nice when I wear them, but I constantly have to pull them up. I love the hip hugging and flare, the material is soft. After time they get really baggy in the butt and slightly baggy everywhere.
Pair 4: Ginger Jeans, modified flare; size 12 waist and on the front pant size 14 hip, the back pant 18 hip. These feel the best on me, like they hug me just right. Are their still fit issues? sure. But I don’t really care to be honest. The material on these is so soft. snug and hugging.
The people that I care about, my amazing sewing friends that follow my blog,
know I struggle deeply with health issues. I have certain fit issues I just don't care to address - I put my energy into what I feel is important.
So to the lady that put my body on blast without my permission – shame on you.
And to everyone else, the real people that matter, I will continue sewing. I enjoy it even when it hurts, even when it sucks out all my energy. I love the hobby and I love the community. I love seeing all the things my sewing friends make!
I learned quite a bit from this experience. We need to be less critical of our sewing makes. I am horribly critical when I make something; time for that to change. Ready to wear doesn’t fit perfectly either! Our sewing makes will almost always fit us better than anything store bought. And if they don't, well then we learn, change the pattern, and grow from it! It's still a fun experience.
(Also, thank you so much
Shirley for being such a great friend to me that day; you were there for me when I most needed a friend).
Onward my sewing friends!
Kristin
