h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I have FINALLY found a sewer!!!

Unfortunately the Senegal guys didn't work out - big time. And another woman who was here the other day also made a huge mess of things. But today . . . to be honest I woke up feeling less than enthusiastic about trying out yet another sewer. But she turned out to be fabulous!

I am over the moon right now because this woman not only sews like a dream come true, but she is also interested in giving it a go, so our production can FINALLY begin.

And the artist doing the logo design for us has also come up with something we think is wonderful - so the web-page design can now also proceed.

So, okay, we are about a month behind at this point, but it's all still do-able. Starting off at the beginning of March instead of February. Fingers crossed that the sewer can get our initial stock made up by then, but I am also willing to help out with that if need be.

Watch this space . . .


az

Good news at last!

Hope it all goes smoothly from here on in

What did you decide to do about the sizing?

Hooray!

Thanks kelli and Iago.

<> (kelli)

At this point I can't remember what I ever said about the sizing, except maybe that I'd lost my sizing papers? . . . still haven't found them (gaaaaaaa!). So at the moment I'm kinda winging it.

The collection is generally going to be offered in four sizes - S/M/L/XL. The garments my new sewer is working on at the moment are only going to be offered in S/M and L/XL. I thought at first to offer these garments as a 'one-size' thing, but then realised it wouldn't work well for S or XL people. I have about three styles that I'm only going to offer in two sizes, and these are what Toñi will be working on for now.

Following the advice of a woman (Inma) I met at a design school recently, who is fast becoming a friend, my S size shouldn't be terribly small, as in a 34-36. Inma tells me these are outrageously small sizes promoted by chain stores such as Zara and Mango that have nothing to do with REAL women's bodies. She advised me to start my 'small' at size 38, which is a size 8 UK. And given the loose and comfortable fit of my clothing I think she is right.

So I'm kind of taking it from there and working my way up to size 52 (X-L which is a 22 UK).

Sizes so far will be S (38-40, UK 8-10); M (42-44, UK 12-14); L (46-48, UK 16-18); XL (50-52, UK 20-22).

How does this sound?


az

Sounds about right I think (if I'm remembering their sizing right) Monsoon have a 42 as a UK size 14 and a 44 as a size 16 so I guess in your range I'd be a medium or large, depending on the style.

Nice to know I'm not an XL any more

I now know why we call a 'person who sews' a seamstress!

Every time I have popped into this thread when I see new posts I see the word 'sewer' and wonder why on earth you are all talking about waste management!!

Yeah I know - the word 'sewer' is confusing in print. Meanwhile, whenever I see the word 'seamstress' I think of Terry Pratchett.


az

I'm glad to see your project is moving along nicely, Az.

I belong to an internet group that call themselves 'sewists' in order to avoid that confusion.

Some advice please, ladies . . .

I've made all my samples in a size medium (UK 12-14 / EU 42-44) and before I grade them I'd like some feedback on the sizes and measurements I'm using. The three measurements are Bust/Waist/Hip.

Small - UK 8-10 / EU 38-40
32-34 / 24-27 / 35-37 inches
81-87 / 61-69 / 89-95 cm

Medium - UK 12-14 / EU 42-44
35-37 / 28-31 / 38-41 inches
89-95 / 71-78 / 96-105 cm

Large - UK 16-18 / EU 46-48
38-41 / 32-35 / 42-45 inches
96-105 / 81-88 / 107-115 cm

X-large - UK 20-22 / EU 50-52
42-44 / 36-38 / 46-48 inches
107-112 / 91-96 / 117-122 cm




az

I just looked up the shop that kelli mentioned yesterday - Monsoon. Here is their size chart, somewhat different from mine.

Small (8-10) 82-87 / 61.5-66.5 / 87-92 cm

Medium (12-14) 92-97 / 71-76.5 / 97-102 cm

Large (16-18) 102-107 / 81.5-86.5 / 107-112 cm

X-large (20-22) 112-117 / 93.5-100.5 / 119-126 cm


Thing is, the original chart I was using left a gap between sizes, normally about two inches/5 cm. I was trying to close in this gap a bit but it looks like Monsoon does the same gap thing.

What's your opinion? Is is okay for the difference between, say, a Medium and a Large to go from 92-97cm bust (Med) to 102-107cm (Large)? What happens if your bust is 100cm?

I suppose I shouldn't be *too* concerned as our clothes are quite loose and have a comfy fit. And from all the size charts I've looked at there seems to be this gap between. It's just something I've never paid a lot of attention to before as I almost never buy clothes.


az

well, you could keep your original sizing (first post up there) I was happy to find myself a S...

that has psychological value.

But if you can tie your sizing into a brand that you think your customers also go for - then they know where they are already. If you see what I mean? I am pretty ok, for example, at H&M and don't generally need to try on anything apart from trousers (where sizing, whatever company it is) seems to exist in some kind of parallel-sizing-universe.

I suppose, I'd go for the Monsoon sizing. and suggest that people who are "between" size down. (since if your clothes are roomy anyway, to size up would make them even roomier)



any previews of your webbie available yet?

The only reason I picked Monsoon was because I had seem european sizes in their clothes! I buy pretty much all my actual clothes from Next as they seem to have a better cut for my shape

Will see if they have a sizing chart too for comparison

http://order.next.co.uk/images/help/szw1.jpg

Next sizes appear to be smaller than Monsoon but their clothes seem more generous to me, so they must just be cut better for my shape, that or I am a bit 'between' sizes with monsoon - next don't have gaps between the sizes so I guess I'm more likely to find a better fit in their range.

http://order.next.co.uk/Help/WinHelpSGW.asp#1

Whoops, that was the picture showing where the measurements are taken, this one is the size chart

This is madness! Every place has different measurements yet some have different cuts for different shapes??? Gaaaaa! Though I notice that Next doesn't have a gap between S/M/L/XL sizes. Yet their S/M/L/XL sizes have different measurments from mine and also other places.

I think the best thing to do is just keep to my original measurements, post them on the website and leave it to the customer to choose where they fit. As long as the measurements are clearly posted then I think there shouldn't be too much confusion.

It just seems that I will never have the exact same measurements for my S/M/L/XL that other places do. Especially as none of them have the same measurements as each other.

Anyhow, thanks for all your input.

My fabulous new costurera (much nicer sounding than sewer) introduced me to a friend of hers yesterday who apparenty is just as fab . . . turns out they both want to work with me. I am . . . flabbergasted. Last week I was going crazy not knowing how to ever find a person who could sew a straight seam. This week I have two very amazing costureras who are very enthusiastic about making up my stuff. I almost can't believe it.

So now onto drafting and sizing patterns and cutting-cutting-cutting . . .


az

oh it's all so exciting!

Sizing is a sore subject with me. I'm a 38 skirt. 46 top. But... my top is all boob, so actually, a 40 top will fit, as long as I don't need to button it up!!!

Which is why my new favourite place to get clothes is (well, would be if I had some money) Bravissima,which makes normal sizes for Curvy, Very Curvy and Super Curvy (me) women.

which is all off the subject, so sorry

you can send one of your sewing ladies to me if you like - I have to make 2 little dresses and I can't get my backside into gear

Bravissimo is a godsend isn't it? I'm super curvy too and their strappy and halter tops with built in proper bras are BRILLIANT! Never thought I'd be able to wear a strappy or halterneck again once I passed d cup (and that was a looooooong time ago) so was delighted with them....

No way, Sho. Now that I have finally found them THEY ARE MINE!!! ALL MINE!!!! MUAAHAAAHAAAAAAAA . . . .

az

and me feeling so delicate and underappreciatd today

Kelli, I got one of their black,strappy tops for my birthday from my mum. My 42nd birthday and it was my very first strappy top. Pity it's winter because I just want to wear it all the time. I wore it to our Christmas do, and all the guys were... speechless!!

She actually got it a measurement smaller than I would have, but fits perfectly. I can't wait to get some more. I might even try a halter type next.

Sorry, Az. Hijacking your thread talking about the competition!

I don't think they are in the same market so I'm sure its ok...

The halter gives you miraculous, gravity-defying boobs

Glad it is suddenly all taking off az, can't wait to see the website