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Clothing Pattern Issues for Plus Size Children
by Sarah J. Doyle
Plus size children and overweight children need patterns and
clothing that fit THEIR "larger than average" measurements.
Sadly, neither ready made clothing nor commercial patterns
address the real issue of overweight children's measurements.
Recent statistics indicate that over nine million American
children are categorized as overweight and some being obese.
Buying or making clothes for these children is very stressful
and difficult as literally no standard size will fit.
The stories of mothers, grandmothers, and sewing professionals
who are trying to get clothing and patterns to fit plus size
children properly all echo each other and the disappointment
is the same for all.
The same frustration was repeated to me by a friend who has a
9 year old daughter with a 36" chest, 34" tummy and 38" hips.
The pattern size that came closest to the chest, tummy and hip
measurement was a 16 Plus, which didn't fit anywhere else!
We all know that an extra chubby 9 year old would not be as tall
as a 16 year old, nor have arms or shoulders the size of a 16
year old.
Sarah J Doyle, a pattern maker, author and instructor for over
30 years has introduced a line of clothing patterns for plus
size children, PSC Patterns, that have been designed and made
from REAL measurements of REAL plus size and overweight children.
** Dresses with several rows of elastic sewn at the waistline
will appear to thicken the waist and shorten the height, while
semi-fitted dresses with vertical line designs and A-line skirts
will give a thinner and taller appearance.
** Solid colors and vertical lines will heighten the body, while
contrasting colors in tops and skirts, as well as big bold
prints will shorten it.
** Waists seem to expand with wide or conspicuous belts or
buckles.
** Hips will seem to increase in girth with tight or full skirts.
The A-lines or princess style skirts will create a more slimming
appearance.
By using actual plus size children patterns and considering what
the final appearance of the garment will be, sewing for the plus
size and overweight child will become much easier.
About the author:
Sarah J. Doyle is author of over 25 sewing, craft and how-to
books, as well as designer of plus size children's patterns.
Visit http://PlusSizeChildren.com
to check out the patterns
that are available, as well as a variety of pattern making and
pattern alteration classes for children. Visit Sarah's sewing
blog at http://SarahJDoyle.com.
(c) Copyright Sarah J. Doyle. All Rights Reserved. |