Sewing and working out
When most people go to the gym they are happy about the fact that they are losing weight, but people that sew clothing might not be as ecstatic. A couple of months ago I decided to change the way I ate and started doing some of the routines from this book to try to become healthier and stronger. In under a month clothes that felt close fitting were much looser and jeans that used to be tight could come off without being unbuttoned.
This green Renfrew was made back in July (I never posted photos of it) and after putting it on realized that it was looser fitting than the ones I have made in the past. Something was up, so I took my measurements and discovered that I had lost an inch in my bust, waist, and hips. It's not a noticeable change to my friends and family, but it is a huge change to me. One inch is a big difference when it comes to the fit of clothes and now many of the garments I have made don't fit as nicely.
I am curious how weight loss or weight gain has affected your sewing. Do you take in or take out the seams if it's possible? Stop wearing certain things? I'll tell you what, I'm not excited about retracing patterns that I want to make again :(
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Congrats on the healthier lifestyle, even if it is a pain in the closet. I embarked on healthier living a year ago and found myself putting off knitting and sewing projects. Now I have tons of patterns and supplies and am so itching to make new things. Like you, I haven't lost a ton of inches (or a ton of weight). But, a reduction of 5lbs and 7% body fat makes a huge difference in RTW even and I've stopped wearing lots of stuff. On the upside, there were some things I was able to resurrect from the back of the closet.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to you too!!! xo
DeleteOh man, I haven't lost any weight yet, but I almost fear losing weight because of my wardrobe. I know it was a pain when I gained weight and went through like 3 wardrobe changes, so I'm not all that anxious to go backwards. BUT, being healthy is what's most important, so I try to focus on health and not the clothes. Honestly, I'm still learning so much about fit that it would be a good time to resize patterns anyway... There aren't too many handmade garments that I would be that upset to no longer wear.
ReplyDeleteI say Go Erin!! alter what you can, but keep sewing and don't look back ;) the best is yet to come.
You always leave the most thoughtful comments and I appreciate it! xo
DeleteYeeeeah, this is why I don't want to gain or lose ANY weight! Haha! I don't know what to tell you, except you definitely can resize clothing that you've made - taking an inch out is pretty easy. I wouldn't do that until you've maintained for a bit, though (in case you end up losing more).
ReplyDeleteYou look totally fab, though! Get it, girl!!
I've been facing the same thing, because of my recent swimming. My thought is that learning alterations will be a new challenge/skill?? In any event -- good for you!!
ReplyDeleteGirl, you look great! My weight tends to vary quite a bit, so I have started measuring myself before every project. :/ I'm also kind of used to wearing stuff that doesn't fit perfectly-- sad!
ReplyDeleteAha, I'm so glad someone else has mentioned this! You definitely aren't the only one! It is the BANE of my sewing life. I've been kickboxing for the past couple of years, but recently I've really made an effort to improve my fitness levels, and also started a range of fitness classes.
ReplyDeleteI think it wouldn't be TOO bad if my measurements just kept reducing nicely, but the problem is, as I'm toning up and putting on muscle, measurements fluctuate WILDLY... for example, my shoulders and biceps sometimes GROW rather than shrink. From an aesthetic/health point of view, this is a good thing (my boyfriend keeps pointing this out to me!) but from a sewing point of view, it's very disheartening, and I've noticed that if a pattern is going to involve any kind of fitting, I'm putting it off until the changes slow down or stop altogether.
So it's loosely fitting clothing or jersey all the way at the moment! :)
That is a good idea, maybe I shouldn't be sewing form fitted clothes and should try out some flowy materials.
DeleteEvery time I consider adding more exercise to my schedule, I stop and remind myself of all the alterations I would have to do. Haha! But in all seriousness, congrats on the health kick. You may have to take in a few seams here and there but the benefits of exercise outweigh the sewing negatives. I like what others have said about learning more about fitting through the process.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your new healthy lifestyle.
ReplyDeleteI am kind of in the same situation as you. I just recently started working out and eating slightly more healthier foods. A couple of people noticed that I slimmed down before I even did. I measured myself last weekend and I went down 1/2' to 1 inch.
Right now I am just finishing old projects that has been sitting around. I will probably make things that are loose-fitted.
My friend lost a bunch of weight and now she is planning to donate all the clothes she made to GoodWill.
I know exactly what you mean, lol! I am slightly terrified of my body changing!
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, maybe accepting that my body may change will lead me to be a bit more forgiving on my perfectionist fitting tendencies.
But yeah... I hate the idea of putting so much effort into something fitting right, and then it being ruined!
Congratulations on your weight lose. Gaining and losing wt is the lot of women. It is a lot nicer a task to take clothes in then to let them out. I find sewing has given me a more empowered view of my body. But, I hear ya, it is difficult to re-trace patterns again and again.
ReplyDeleteHuge congrats! Like most women, I flux with 10 pounds here and there all the time. I'm currently in the 10 pounds heavier stage and look forward to returning to the 10 pounds lighter stage :) I think when you sew for yourself you are much more aware of those inches and how things fit (or not!). Congrats again and I think feeling good is a fair trade for having to retrace patterns!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the weight loss! It does put a damper on the sewing when I'm losing weight. I feel like I don't want to make anything too form fitting because it might end up too big.
ReplyDeleteOh darling, is noticeable ... That's so wonderful . I'm facing the opposite. Since my last back operation I been increasing weight . I cannot exercise so I'm limited to stretches. I m afraid I'm almost a whole size up... Im considering to start weight watchers to drop the extra weight and being considering what to sew in this period .
ReplyDeletehey - just wanted to pop by and say I love your blog and have nominated you for an award. Here's the link:
ReplyDeletehttp://hugsandkissesclothing.wordpress.com/2012/08/26/i-am-speechless-xxx/
Hannah xXx
I know exactly what you mean - I've been focusing on a strict diet/exercise regime for the past 8 months & have lost almost 30 lbs! The down side is that stuff I made months ago doesn't fit, but the good thing is it's such slow progression that I still get a couple months wear out of my makes lol
ReplyDeleteThat is so awesome, Symon!!! Good for you! I wish I had your willpower...
DeleteCongrats on the healthier lifestyle! I've had this issue happen recently with the waist of a skirt I made, the finished project was slightly too large and the skirt was already made. I just kept it and put a belt on it.
ReplyDeleteI've been belting some dresses, but the bodices still look baggy.
DeleteYou could buy bras with a lot if padding :-)
DeleteBut seriously, even if you made something and it doesn't fit quite right, you still learned something making that garment and improved your skills. And now you get to learn how to take in your clothes too!