Knock-off For a Plus Sized Diva

[Keena]

http://www.mimimagazine.com/december2006/02-09-harrietsalterego06.html

i adore Harriet's Alter Ego, but they dont make nada (along with millions of other indie designers) for a plus sized diva like myself *bats eyelashes* lol...

this looks HECKA easy to create.. but where would i start?! ayudame por favor!

is this fabric possibly jersey knit? if so, i would have to be careful with creating it because on a curvy body cuz u dont want it TOO clingy on every lump and bump, nah'mean?

[uglyshyla]

I'm on the curvy side and I love gathered stuff like that.It actually can look good on a curvy girl if it fits right.
I suggest getting a thick/heavy weight jersey or even a thick t-shirt type material.They dress looks almost like a simple tunic pattern,like the kind that is just one big piece of fabric,where you just sew up the sides,and don't have to attach the sleeves separately and it looks like they just ran a bit of elastic up the sides to gather the sleeve part and make it separate from the body,If that makes any sense
One thing I highly suggest for any curvy girl is to make yourself a ducktape dress form.
I'm a average size in like my legs and waist but I'm busty and have a big butt so it makes it really hard to fit things like ready made patterns,and as I'm sure you know it's a pain trying to alter the back of a pattern ect when you have it on.So my duck tape dress form has been a god send,plus it has all your little lumps and bumps so you can fit your patterns around hiding that.

[tickleagangster]

OOOOHH! I love that batwing dress! I'd wear it longer, I'm past my mini days. It looks to me like it might start out like a huge t-shirt thingy that's then gathered up along the body to define the sleeves.  And yes, it does appear to be made from a stretch jersey, which personally I think is great for curves because you can pleat or bunch it up in those areas where you need more coverage.  You can wear a good foundation under this and with the give in the fabric, you can construct it with the curvy ness already in it.
You know, I just went back and looked at the dress again, and it's possible that you construct the top separately from the bottom.  The top now looks to me like you'd take a big rectangle and gather it up for the bodice, and then define the sleeves with either elastic or cording, and the sleeves are caught in a little cuff.  Does that make sense? I think you can just play with some fabric and figure out a simple way to do this.  I like it so much I'm going to try it tonight, and if I can I'll post a pic to show.

[Keena]

thx for the immediate replies

and PLEASE do post the results if you make one tickleagangster

[K0uture]

I REALLY like this dress! I'd love the see this reproduced!.......I'd probably rock it as a top with some skinny jeans...!

[sewincbm]

oh my god!!!
that is so hot!

i found this picture, it doesn't really help trying to figure out how to make it, but it shows the neckline fairly clearly.  has anyone attempted this??

http://shop.unsungdesigners.com/ProductImages/harriets_alter_ego/HAE1013_A.jpg


C

[i_squared_u]

Wow. How much to do love that dress?! So much!

I'm plus size too (us 10-12) and my general day to day wardrobe consists of an American Apparel tube dress with reconned baggy mens t-shirts over the top. Sounds dodgy but I get stopped by London style mags, so I must be doing something right? Anyway, I think Tickleaganster has the right idea.

I had a look at their myspace page and found this...



Man I wish my sewing machine was working 'cos I'd love to give this a go.
 

[hercuteness]

10-12 is plus sized?  really?

jesus, have i been living in denial!

 

[i_squared_u]

10-12 is plus sized?  really?

jesus, have i been living in denial!

 

Yea I didn't believe it until one of my friend's who works for a fashion company told me that a US size 10 is the industry baseline for plus-size.

Madness.

[OriginalYouth]

10-12 is plus sized?  really?

jesus, have i been living in denial!

 

Yea I didn't believe it until one of my friend's who works for a fashion company told me that a US size 10 is the industry baseline for plus-size.

Madness.

That's actually for a plus sized MODEL (US size 10-12).  Typically, US 'plus size' is size 15/16 on up.  Thats what the 'plus sized' stores carry anyway.  And you cant' get above a size 13/14 in regular boutiques.  Size 10 is if you want to be a plus sized model.....but we all know that's LOW, since they consider size 0-2 for 'regular' models....and we KNOW that doesn't represent us 'regular' peoples.