Designers need to make plus sized patterns
I am a size 3X/4X depending on the style, and most patterns, free or not, are not written for me or others like me. I am a member of the Plus-Sized Crochet group in Yahoo. We are 674 members strong at this time and membership is increasing everyday. The lack of plus-sized patterns is the primary focus of this group and of other similar groups that I belong to on the web. Also, we teach each other how to enlarge the patterns, if possible.
I can only imagine how many like minded and plus-sized persons there are who do not have access to such forums. Just the fact that whatever we make for ourselves will require more yarn than is needed to make smaller sizes should inspire you to address this issue for the benefit of your own bottom line.
With the constant barage of surveys showing that the public is not a size small or medium, like so many models are, it is surprising to me that so many companies ignore our buying power. Help address this issue by requesting that designers think about us when they create patterns.
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About bjtilt
About Me:
I am a frustrated yarn fanatic on a tight budget! I love to crochet and knit. I am on a mission to inspire designers to create patterns for plus-sized woman. We have buying power as we have to buy more yarn to create what we wear, so we should be listened to.
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Beverly
http://yarncrazy.spaces.live.com
So much yarn, so little time.
Hey bjtilt!
I hear you. May I give you a bit of background, some aspects about designing crochet that have been my experience.
Until recently I had not been asked to provide garment sizing any larger than XL. Editors are now routinely requiring designers to write patterning to 3XL. It may take a while for readers to see those results as the publishing process takes time. Designs I sold a year ago are just now being seen, or are scheduled for later this year.
Let's speak frankly. Many garment designs look good on those models, but not on anyone else, whether larger, smaller or shorter like me. I could NEVER crochet clothes for myself (not even from my OWN patterns)without adjusting for length.
Some designs are published for inspiration and not because anyone will ever actually crochet them or wear them. I believe this is a valid practice. I love seeing cutting edge design and serious fashion being done in crochet, but I know I could NEVER wear it. I look at the design, take bits that appeal to me, do it my way.
As for Plus Size patterns larger than 3XL, I bemoan your situation but honestly do not forsee a time when ALL designs in magazines and books will be sized any larger. Perhaps there will be some deemed appropriate, but never very many.
There are several factors at work. Speaking strictly for myself, in order to give extended sizing it takes more SPACE, more words and pages in a magazine or book, where space is at a premium. The way I design and the way my garments are constructed, I simply can't take the "average" size instructions, tweak the numbers and end up with a plus size. In order to give you a garment that fits, I'd have to virtually redesign it from the top down and pretty much write a second pattern. Very few venues allow that much space per design. So the industry covers the sizes that fit most.
I try in my own small way. I've taken a number of classes on designing for larger sizes. I'm getting better at extrapolating extra sizing from my original samples. I keep in mind the needs of plus size women when I begin a new design. But not everything I create will be appropriate nor will I always be give the freedom to go there.
On the positive side, there are editors and designers now putting up plus size ONLY collections, with more on the way, spearheaded by books like "Big Girl Knits" and Margaret Hubert's "Plus Size Crochet". I don't know how large these designs go, but it is my hope that you will find these books useful. Due to the efforts of crocheters like yourself and your group, more attention to your needs is on the way.
And this bit of food for thought. I started out by designing things that fit me. So my aesthetic and style are based on clothes that I like and wear. Perhaps you need to convince your group to start designing and publishing for yourselves. You can do it!
Yours respectfully,
Doris