Meet the Collective: Jenny R

Hi! My name’s Jenny and since about 2010 I’ve been blogging over at Cashmerette. Of course, if you started following me back then you’d have seen a bunch of wonkily sewn pillowcases and baby clothes… These days it’s all knit dresses and Simplicity 2343s!

I’m 34 and I’m lucky enough to live in lovely Boston, Massachusetts – but I’m originally from the UK, and have lived all over the place (France, Switzerland, Greece, Malawi, Brunei…). During the day, I work in corporate sustainability and pretend that I’m not actually writing blog posts or reading IdleFancy, because really, what professional woman would do that?!

I started the Curvy Sewing Collective with Mary because I’m passionate about getting more plus size women sewing and blogging about it. Lots of sewists start out because they’re frustrated with stores that don’t carry their size (I struggle, and I’m a US average size 14!), but it can be hard to get the courage to take lots of photos of yourself, start a blog and put yourself out there. Plus size women are  under-represented in sewing blogs, pattern testing, pattern company photoshoots and sewing competitions- that’s something we want to change! We’re hoping that the CSC not only can help you get all the resources you need to make fabulous, well-fitted clothes, but to also encourage more women to be confident about their bodies and join the sewing blogosphere.

I first got into sewing when a co-worker came to work in an amazing striped skirt – and when I asked her where it was from she said “IKEA!”. I was confused. Until she explained that she’d sewed it, and it was like a beam of light came down from above and magical harps started playing and I thought…. now THAT is something I’d like to do.

It’s taken me quite a while to get to the point of being able to make clothes that (I think) could pass for RTW, with my crowning glory so far being a tailor made coat this winter. But there’s so much still to do! Boning! Bras! Proper tailoring! And…. scariest of all…. trousers!

In the meantime, I stick with my good old TNTs. My top ones are Simplicity 2343 (perfect straight skirt with excellent pockets), Christine Jonson’s perfect wrap dress (which I’ve hacked to make it only 3 pattern pieces), and the Colette Sorbetto which is my go-to staple top for summer.

I’m hourglass-ish (tending towards the apple), at around 46″ – 38″ – 46″, but being a 36HH (!), I pretty much have to make full bust adjustments (FBAs) on practically all my garments. I also fall between sizes based on my waist/hip ratio, so I often find myself doing waist adjustments, too.

As for my sewing expertise? Well the combination of my figure and my love of comfort means sewing with knits and wrap dresses of all shapes and sizes are one area; I also LOVE pattern and print, so I’m your lady for sources of amazing printed fabric, and tips on pattern matching.

I’m so excited to launch the Curvy Sewing Collective, and I can’t wait to get all the curvy sewists across the world involved!