I have lots of insecurities, like others, but I feel I have a tad more! š Anyway, Iām trying to find patterns that will work to give me a bit more confidence and masking of some of my undesirable parts. Keep in mind, I donāt see others in the same light as I see myself, so please donāt take offense to any of my feelings of the parts I feel are undesirable to me, because I do feel everyone is beautiful in their own way- I just donāt see it in myself most days. I would describe myself as boxy, no hips, wide shoulders, large stomach and flat chest. I feel most women with a tummy can mask their tummy because they have a large chest, they are considered curvy and beautifulā¦thatās not the case for me. I donāt have the āfeminineā curvy features. When I was young, I had the swimmers body type but now I have hypothyroidism and most of my weight is stored in the tummy. Iām looking for ways to create the curvy look, sliming down the tummy somehow. Any pattern suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Sewing For A Boxy Figure
Sympathy here, although I'm not 'boxy', more 'dumpling'
Do you have someone you trust to give you honest feedback? That helps. You get some good advice on here if you can upload photos (I struggle with that!)
How experienced are you as a sewer? My advice when you are struggling with fit / look is not to stretch your sewing skills too far - stick with what you can do.
Knits are friend and foe. They can be very helpful, heling skim over some parts of the figure, but they can be a devil to sew and very variable.
Even if you're not curvy, some of the patterns such as Cashmerette, can be great.
Do you already have favourite patterns? If not, I suggest looking at Muna and Broad and Helen's Closet
I'm also an old fan of Park Bench patterns that are easy to adjust and change.
Here's a starting suggestion:
Muna and Broad Loxton Leggings, made in bottom weight knit, easier to sew and handle, they are a good 'base'
Simple top / shell / Tshirt. Helen's Closet has a good T shirt, but if you want a woven top, then Cashmerette's Montrose is quite useful, the gather at the back is quite forgiving.
Top that with a shirt: Cashmerete's Harrison is a favourite of mine. Although drafted for the conventionally curvy, it is easy to smooth out the curves, so it hangs straight that works very well.
Readytosew has a good selection of shirts and smocks - and I have had great success cutting the Pekka jacket as an unlined shirt.
Others will be along with suggestions, I hope some of them help you along the way!
Thank you! Iām probably advanced, sewing mainly with knits. I struggle with woven and getting the fit. I can help others get the fit better on them but for some reason I drop my brain when I sew for myself. I will look into your suggestions!
It's a phenomenon, known by different names in different situations, in which our (physical) view of ourselves is not always helpful. That is why we really need someone neutral and trusted to look at what we are doing.
Do you have a model? Some do not find them helpful. I do, but was very reluctant to spend the money a seriously good one would cost. I found a cheap, fairly large model in a closing down sale. I put some underwear on her and padded her out, using wadding. I pinned and duct-taped it all in place (all the odd little bumps and rolls!) and put a long camisole over the top. I am now quite fond of her - she is as imperfect as I am!
I have one thatās a bit flimsy, and I would need to modify to make it close to my shape.
Yes, she's similar to mine. This is what I did, although of course, it doesn't help with trousers / thighs; or biceps.
I suggest you sacrifice a bar and a pair of knickers that fit you well, and aren't too old and stretchy. Put them on your model.
Get wadding, pins and safety pins, duct tape and elastic, and some 3-5cm wide webbing / strong tape, and your tape measure.
Cut the tape to your (sitting) waist size, stitch / pin, and put on your model.
Now get your wadding, and stuff / pin in place to fill. Keep measuring so you can account for your tummy or bum, and any other bumpy bits.
When you are happy, put a top on your model that you know fits you, and see how it hangs, adjust your model until you are happy.
Warning - you may need to take this in stages, as you may get fed up!
When finished, I found it helped to take a camisole that fitted me, and put it over the lot, minimising the stress on all those pinned and tacked bits of wadding.
This is not perfect, but it is fine if you don't make very fitted pieces. Good luck!
There's a stylist on You Tube who made a whole series of videos on dressing different body shapes, with no judgements. The whole series is here but I'd scroll down and begin with part one where it begins with the original body shape masterclasses, I learned so much from her (although her voice puts my teeth on edge!). Hope it helps.
Thank you!!!
Hi Lisa,
Iām so pleased youāre here and have shared something very vulnerable with us. This is such a tough subject that so many of us relate to, no matter what shape.
AnnieRose and Donnie have shared some absolutely fantastic tips here and Iām sure more will come.
Cashmerette are fab, they often create two pattern blocks depending on if you have an apple or pear shape body.
Thank you!
I am also am a boxy figure or "rectangle"! Thank you for having the courage to post your question! I'm a new garment sewer so I don't have the sewing experience yet, but I am looking to try out some patterns that have special details like tops with peplums, shirts with bows or ties, skirts or capris with flares, tops with poofy sleeves. These add a 'feminine' touch rather than emphasizing my rectangular-ness!
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