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Curvy Opinion: why representation matters, and how I’m trying to help

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The Curvy Sewing Collective started with a simple question: why don’t we see more curvy women in the sewing blogosphere? Mary and I were bemoaning this fact when we realized that we should just do something about it ourselves! And so the CSC was born.

My latest project, the Cashmerette Curvy Sketchbooks, began in a similar way, when I realized that there was something else missing for curvy sewists.

Cashmerette Curvy Sketchbook

Since I started sewing, I’ve been sketching ideas for garments. I often sketch before I start a project, to capture inspiration, or to brainstorm what to do with a new piece of fabric. Then I make notes on my drawings after sewing, to remind myself of alterations and what I want to do differently next time. However, I grew increasingly frustrated with the fashion sketchbooks available. Although there are many of them with faint body outlines (called “croquis”) to use as a template for your drawing, all the figures are incredibly, and unrealistically, thin. Frankly, they don’t look entirely human, and they certainly don’t look like me!

On a practical level, these sketchbooks proved of limited use, because you can’t really see any details of what you are going to sew when the waist of a croquis is only half an inch wide. Not to mention the fact that your drawing will bear very little resemblance to the actual proportions of the garment, or what it will look like on a curvy body.

On a deeper level, though, I wanted to address the lack of representation of curvy women in sewing materials. I think it’s increasingly accepted that diversity of representation is essential to help different groups of people feel normal and included, whether that’s in children’s books, movies or advertising. When you’re not shown, it inevitably makes you feel like an outsider, and the exception rather than the rule. But when this changes, the impact can be huge! This dynamic has affected me personally: when I switched from reading fashion magazines with thin models and clothes I couldn’t fit, to reading inspirational curvy fashion and sewing blogs, my self-perception underwent a huge shift. I suddenly felt normal, excited and empowered that I could wear awesome outfits that would make me look fabulous, just like all these women I was seeing every day.

So that’s why the ultra-thin croquis of the existing sketchbooks disappointed me so much. I didn’t want another product telling me once again that I was so different to the norm – the average women is a RTW 14, so clearly that’s ridiculous! I decided to do something about it, and after several months of development and testing, the Cashmerette Curvy Sketchbooks were born. They feature 100 plus size croquis so that you can see what a garment will actually look like on you, no scaling-up required. And because I know that my 5’6”, US RTW size 14/16 croquis doesn’t look exactly like every curvy woman, I’m also offering customized versions so that women can have a sketchbook that looks exactly like them.

There are three types of sketchbook in the line. The 8.5 x 11” version is made especially for your sewing room, with a spiral bound spine which lays flat, and in addition to the croquis there is a page to record multiple sets of measurements, space on each page to add a fabric swatch, a fabric and pattern inventory, and more. The second version if 6 x 9” and is made to keep in your handbag for when inspiration strikes! The third is the customized version (available in either size) which features a personalized croquis made just for you. If you’re interested, the sketchbooks are available to order today here, and for the first week of launch, they are 20% off. For the customized version, email me at jenny@cashmerette.com for more details.

Cashmerette Curvy Sketchbook

I hope that in a small way I can help contribute to the body image of others, as so many have already helped with mine. The more that we are represented in the world, the less we can be ignored! What else would you like to see tailor-made for curvy sewists?

Comments

  1. Jenny, I received my sketchbook today. Awesome. Thanks so much for dreaming this up.

  2. Hi, I just ordered one of the larger ones. I will find the pattern and sewing notes and wardrobe planning really useful, I am sure. i am intrigued by the croquis, but intimidated too. I can’t draw. What’s the best way to learn how to use them?

  4. As Annemarie Quevedo says, “women with gray hair … are sorely underrepresented online”.

    I have *never* seen a sewing-clothing-for-themselves blog by a plus-sized ‘elderly’ woman of *any* colour. if there are any current ones, I’d LOVE to know of them.

    Regardless of whether 60 is the new 40, 80 the new 50 or whatever, it is an inescapable fact that – apart from the genetically-very-fortunate or the extremely wealthy – our bodies *will* change with age in ways which we may not like and which, in addition, often cause further – perhaps unforeseen and frequently unacknowledged – difficulties in fitting clothes. Now I’m at that stage myself, I can understand why so many older women resort, here in the UK at least, to a ‘nice firm perm’, sturdy beige sandals, white acrylic cardis and a big zip-up handbag, when they were previously much more interesting dressers.

    Understand them, note I said, NOT join them!

    Well, I’m nearer 70 than I am 60, and have just started a somewhat-intermittent sewing blog. The few posts so far have been about trainwrecks and my opinions, but if I can sort out the photography problem (tiny old house + cloudy wet climate = dull, unclear photos, but I got some semi-professional pointers recently) I’d love to review and blog at least some of my many makes – and I am very ‘plus-sized’ (hate that term – I’m fat!), with other fitting problems and all the physical features of an approaching-70 yo.

  6. This is a lovely idea and a great starting point; we do come in so many different shapes, but you cannot possibly hit them all. As a former cartoonist, and a boxshaped adult, I’ve made my own silhouettes croquis to determine what looks better on me. As silly as I have thought that was over the years, there are styles and projects my eye is drawn to that…sigh….I know will look like a sack of rocks on me. And even though my tastes have stayed the same, my general outline has not. Them cute little dresses don’t work anymore. Kids, feel free to take what is given to you and change it up.
    Me, I’d be erasing the bustline. Gifts I was not given….

  7. I was looking over the product pages and trying to figure out the differences between the two versions. Is it just the size or does the larger version have more “features”? (Asking because I’d be more likely to use one that I carry around with me, so the smaller size is appealing. On the other hand, even the larger size version would fit perfectly fine in my laptop bag, which is what I use as my main bag during the workweek, anyway.)

    • Hi Michelle! Yes the larger version does have more features.

      Contents of larger one (aimed at sewists)
      – 100 croquis
      – Each croquis page also has: date, fabric swatch area, Project name, pattern, size, fabric requirements, fabric, notions, interfacing, other supplies, alteration, notes
      – Wardrobe planner pages (lots of small croquis)
      – Page to record measurements (6 sets)
      – Fabric and pattern inventory
      – Index of curvy sewing resources

      Contents of smaller one (aimed at sewists and non-sewists alike!)
      – 100 croquis
      – Each croquis page has: date, name of outfit, occasion, styling, notes

      cheers!

      • Thanks! That answers my question. I think I’d definitely prefer the larger one then!

        • Yeah i think that’s the best one if you sew 🙂 I’m also going to update my product page on my blog to be a bit clearer about what is in each one

  8. Thanks, Jenny! I bought one of each. I’ve taken a fashion illustration class where one could make plus sized fashions but it was not a “real” plus sized gal. It is nice to have a croquis that is more realistic.

  9. Bravo, Jenny. It would be great also if diversity in the curvy sewing community included more women of color and women with gray hair as we are sorely underrepresented online. I never see older brown skinned women like myself and am grateful for African American women who do post.

    • I totally agree! I’ve loved seeing Colette incorporate more diverse models into their photography (including Seamwork) and I hope others follow suit. Do you already follow Carolyn at Diary of a Sewing Fanatic? I love her!

      • Also: we would LOVE more diversity in the contributors to the CSC. We have asked a bunch of women but unfortunately most of them haven’t been able to write for us. If anyone reading this would be a more diverse participant please do email us with blog post ideas – we would love to have you! Mail@curvysewingcollective.com

    • +1 for Caryolyn, if you don’t already read her blog. Cenetta at Mahogany Stylist also makes some amazing pieces. (She’s curvy, but I wouldn’t consider her a “plus” sized sewist.)

      • Yes, I have seen many African American women’s blogs. I don’t see Filipino Americans, Mexican- Americans, etc., and I always wonder why it’s so hard to find them online. I can think of 2 or maybe 3 people total who blog in this category.

  10. This is BRILLIANT, Jenny! Just last weekend I was telling my husband that I need to find a way to keep track of my design ideas. Now I can’t wait til mine comes!

  12. what a wonderful thing to do! I am pondering whether I can afford all three. It’s a fantastic product. I saw Gertie’s post too and was tempted and am now glad i held off, I think your product will be far more helpful for me!

  13. What a wonderful idea. Have ordered and can’t wait for it to arrive. (FYI – great minds think alike – Gertie at the Gertie Sews blog also posted this week about her version of a sketchbook (not yet available), with nested outlines so you can make the figure more like your own)

    • Thanks Riesie! Yes I did see Gertie’s too – great minds 🙂 I don’t *think* hers is plus size though – more normal humans vs. the aliens you see in the sketchbooks today!

      • Gertie hasn’t posted anything about the included sizes, just that there are multiple sizes and that they’re nested so that you can trace between sizes. My gut feeling (and I could be wrong) is that the size range isn’t going to be too wide (maybe the same as her books/patterns?), otherwise, I think she’d use that as a selling point.

        And if she does have a substantial size range and isn’t use that as a selling point, well, that’s a bad marketing decision. 😛

  14. Jenny I love your blog – and the new sketchbook. Just ordered mine. Where do we go to order a customized sketch book? What a fabulous idea!!

  15. Jenny that’s great. I’m in West Yarmouth. It would be great if we could meet. I’m free most of the time…I’m on disability so my time is my own. Let me know when you’ll be down and if you’d have time to meet. 🙂

  17. Jenny, I just love this. Stationery rocks regardless but something that will encourage me to think out my plans and write them down will change my life! Order placed and hopefully it will be on its way to Edinburgh soon! I’m also from Aberdeen, if you’re over again and fancy a catch up in the city give me a shout x

    • I hope you like it, and I’m so glad that there’s a sketchbook winging its way to Scotland! I”ll give you a buzz next time I’m up north

      • I’m sure I will love it. I’ve been meaning to sketch out my ideas for a while now, instead they just crash around in my head. This is going to really sort me out.

  18. Hi Jenny! I just have to tell you that I love your work and your ideas for us curvy women! I see your in Boston..I live on Cape Cod. If you’re ever in the area please let me know as I’d love to meet up with you for a nice chat. 🙂

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