Personal Time.

Ok, so I need to get this off my chest.

I know it's not related to this blog but I need somewhere to post it since it's starting to fester.

I don't hate my life, I hate my choices.

I hate the place that those choices have brought me to.

I know what you're thinking..."Do something about it then, Jackie"...the thing is, I am. Im back at course learning fashion but it's honestly things I learnt before so it's extremely boring to me.

It's not only that. I can't stand my class mates.

One or 4 of them are fine, but I find the others to be Real Life Trolls that do nothing by belittle me and complain about everything.

I'm finding it very difficult to attend every day because it feels like it's just repeating the day before...get to class, hear the same complaints, be undermined when trying to help other classmates, go home. Repeat.

The prospect of repeating the same day over again makes me anxious and I am hating to get out of bed each morning.

But I can't complain about it because I would get ganged up on by the rest of the class. I tried to voice my concerns when I got back from a family event and they had taken it upon themselves to assume my thoughts on a design project. I tried to be an adult but all I got back was belittling and flat out denial of my input.

It may seem childish but I just want to be heard. I just want to come in to course one day and not hear complaining.

The only real thing I'm feeling is anger. It really is starting to fester and I don't know how long until I can't take anymore of their Trolling...

I'm angry at being ignored. I'm angry at not being able to communicate my thoughts properly. I'm angry that I hate where I am right now. I'm angry that I can't go to a professional about all this because it would feel like attention seeking.

I'm just...angry.

I'm angry that all my friends are no where near me.

I'm angry that I have to pretend to be at least a little bit normal every day because if I didn't I would be completely removed from the group.

I'm slowing removing myself anyway, which is not healthy, but when you really don't have the energy to even be within hearing distance it's all you can do.

Sometimes, including as I write this, I feel like I'm just waiting to die. It's a numb feeling.

It's feels like an invisible wall. Or, to bring the nerd into it, like being stuck in the event horizon of a Stargate and you wouldn't be bothered if the gate lost power right then and there but at the same time kinda wanting them to turn the power off.

It's an odd thing to feel.

This post hasn't really made me feel better but at least I know some of what's causing my anger now. Writing it down for strangers to ready can sometimes be a good things.

If you made it this far, I thank you for helping me get at least some of my feelings out.

Jack

REVIEW: Dress Pattern SIM1586

PATTERN REVIEW

So, on the wind of making my Armageddon Cocktail Dress, I want to start my reviews by reviewing the pattern I used to make the dress.

The Simplicity 1586 AmazingFit Pattern

The picture above is the smaller size, but it does go up to Size28W which fits me with little adjustment.

It includes 2 styles of Dresses with the option to add sleeves to both.

I used View C (Sleeveless with a V-neck)

The pattern uses Cup Sizes and also curved side seams to allow better fit for those of us that are more curvaceous.

This pattern is used with Woven Fabric but after I adjusted the pattern by taking out the ease I was able to use it with my Knit Fabric.

End Result:

I liked this pattern. It was one of the best fitting patterns I have used as I only had to take away the ease to adjust it to fit.

It's super easy to sew, having only Side, Princess, and Shoulder seams.

The hard part, for those that have not sewn them before, would be adding the Facings on the neckline and armholes but with practice they do get easier.

I recommend this pattern for sure! Super easy and comfortable to wear!

You can purchase this pattern at your local Fabric Store, online at Simplicity and Sewing Patterns

Love,

Jackie

Welcome!

Hi everyone!

My name is Jackie and I love making my own clothing!

I am also Plus Size.
To make matters harder, I'm on the "Plusier" side of that range which makes finding clothes that fit extremely difficult.

I have a little story to tell you about how I came to make this blog.

Over the years, I found it hard and oh so frustrating trying to find clothes that fit or at the very lest didn't make me look like a paper bag.

So last year I graduated from EIT with a Certificate in Fashion Apparel which is a two year course that teaches you all the basics of sewing in the Fashion Industry.
This course also teaches you how to design for different Body Types which helped me A LOT!

I found out I am a Plus Size Triangle as far as body types go.
This means that my hips are wider than my shoulders(Look out for a future Post about this)...and considering that "them hips be Plus Size" it makes finding and wearing Tops and Pants hard.

Adding to all this, I am a HUGE Geek that also happens to LOVE showing it off. 6/8 of my Tattoos are Geek Related and my wardrobe is FILLED with Geeky Men's T-Shirts as they are the only type that fit my Bust and Hips
I go to a Convention in NZ every year called Armageddon Expo and this year I have decided to attend the Expo in Christchurch with my cousin.
On the night before each Expo, they hold a Cocktail Party where you can mingle with other convention attendees and guests.
Wearing something nice to this small gathering is recommended so after searching my wardrobe and the internet as well as some chain-stores in my area I quite abruptly said:

"Screw this, Guys! I am going to make something!"

So I did.

All the info I learnt about Body Types in my course really helped when designing the outfit and so after a 30min walk through my local Fabric Store I found a plain Double Jersey Knit and a Backed White Lace. I also had some left over Purple Sequin Fabric from my course End of Year Collection that I decided to use for the Belt.

Here is what I made in 2 days:

The colour blocking and seams slim out my frame while the belt brings your eye to my waist and helps "de-large"(yes, that's totally a word :P) my Bust.

I think I look goooooodddddd!

Beats out a Paper Bag any day!

After finishing this dress, I thought:

"Why can't I make all my outfits?"

Which lead me to making a Blog about it because I know that there are many Plus Size Women out there that are having the same problem I'm having and I want to help them!

So this Blog will be about doing just that.

I will be posting about clothing I have made for myself as well as how to buy. dress, and even make for your body type.

I will even discuss Body Shapes and Types and how to find out which one you are so that all us Plus Size girls can dress confidently and comfortably when ever we want to!

So keep a look out for updates and I'll even throw in a couple of links and review of some Plus Size Clothing sites and Stores so that those who want to know where to shop!

Thanks for reading!

Love, Jackie!