Yep, this is the body I was given and this is as good as its going to get.
I made these sketches after being inspired by the directions in the Colette Sewing Handbook to make your own croqui. I took photos of myself in a tank and leggings and traced my outline in Photoshop. I also made a version that included my bust line, waist line, high and low hip, and knee line to guide me in tracing.
And holy cannoli, I should’ve done this eons ago. One of the things that has been most enlightening to me about sewing is how well you need to know your body in order to fit it. But even more generally, you need to view it objectively so you can understand whether the clothes you covet will look the way you imagine. And what better way to view yourself than to have an objective flat image of your body, with all its intricacies, before you invest time and money in a new project?
For example, this image would’ve cured me of my sway back denial that held its hold for several months.
And as an exercise, I traced two croquis and then traced two different 1960s patterns I love.
What’s most obvious about the one on the left is that I absolutely do not have that slim little waist in the pattern image, so it’s not going to look like that on me. The sleeves (which I wasn’t planning on) are probably a good idea as they make me look more balanced. Not a terrible look, reminiscent of Glee’s Rachel Berry, if that’s what I’m going for.
The image on the right, however, shows me that my rectangular-shaped body doesn’t change the shape so much. And the v-neck doesn’t widen my square jaw.
I have already cut the Colette Patterns Beignet. This is what it would look like on me, styled with a boatneck sweater and boots.
Considering this Kwik Sew pattern.
And I’ve been hemming and hawing over what skirts look best of my frame so I drew several: straight, a-line, mini, princess-seamed, godets.
Straight skirts definitely don’t do much for me. And because my waist is so, so high it’s no wonder I hate wearing skirts at my natural waist as it envelopes my frame. Here I drew the skirts/tops as I would realistically wear them, with an untucked high-hip length top.
This has been a fun exercise and I’m sure it will serve me as I try new silhouettes. Have you ever made a croqui? If so, how do you use it?
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Nifty!
ReplyDeleteI actually started making a set of these a few weeks ago, and quit because I hated my "real" silhouette so much (methinks some issues have been stirred ;) )
Oddly, I didn't mind the original pictures NEARLY as much as the outline drawings. Weird.
Obviously I need to get over some stuff---these look like they are really useful! :)
Wow! I should give this a go, too. :)
ReplyDeleteWow, this is so awesome! I need to do this too. Even if it's a bit daunting to look at one's silhouette sometimes. Nonetheless, what a perfectly brilliant idea. Like you said, this should've been one of the first steps I did before sewing a garment for myself.
ReplyDeleteI really like the drawings of you in the A-line skirts. :)
Oh wow, that's such an interesting thing to do! I really should do this-- it could save me that horrible feeling when you make something and realize that it's just not suited for your shape.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, but i wouldn't forget that a canera may distort your body proportions depending on the angle from which the image has been taken. I am talking mostly about the length.
ReplyDeleteAli, I had experienced drawing mine too.. Less advanced .... I had my pattern drawing me against a wall ( pati palmer book.. Fit for real people) and it was also a revelation... Thank for sharing..
ReplyDeleteSuper cool. This does look really useful. One of those pattern fitting books I have recommends laying down on a giant piece of paper and having someone trace you to learn about your shape. I've always been scared to try it, but maybe I should.
ReplyDeleteHad my hubby trace my shape off in 'real-size' ONCE and didn't talk to him for a week. So much easier to blame him for the misaligned shoulders, podgy tum, short legs and so on...
ReplyDeleteMight give this one a try as it will certainly help in choosing correct patterns and styles. Well done for sharing your results!!!
Wow, that is a great idea. It seams to really help you visualise what a garment might look like on the body. Think I'll give it a go!
ReplyDeleteGenius! It certainly helps see how a pattern will look on you once made up. Another thing to add to my to-do list! Thanks for posting, and I agree with Doobee64, well done for sharing your results!
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a fascinating exercise and one that will pay dividends in deciding upon future makes. Maybe once I am not pregnant and have slowed down in changing shape I will have a go.
ReplyDeleteThis croqui bit is really cool! A year ago I learned a lot about fit through my book The Pefect Fit, where similar ideas are stated, only through whole-scale drawings. I compared my measurements to pattern companies measurements, and got quite a clear pic on what I should and should not wear. These drawings that you´ve made seem even more useful, as you get a little model of yourself. Very cool!
ReplyDeleteWow-brave! Really useful though. I'm glad you are feeling positive about the process, after I made my "made off me" dress form I fell into a pit of depression for a good week before I could look at it rationally! But now its so useful. I guess its like realising that getting a bigger size in clothes, though depressing, often makes you look thinner. To flatter your figure you have to really know what it is you are trying to flatter!
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed with your ability to take a clear-sighted, non-judgemental view of yourself. I can see how this could be a very useful way to choose haw and what to sew. measurements are helpful. but this seems like a much more intuitive way to understand the big picture.
ReplyDeleteYou are my hero in this! Not only have you done the croquis, but you posted it online. You have a great silhouette, and this exercise will surely bring your craft along even further. Thanks for the nudge to do this myself-maybe when the hub has gone out to poker night.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great idea!
ReplyDeleteNever made one because I'm not good at sketching. But I may give the Photoshop version a try. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool idea. It would really help to visualize fit and proportion. I'm going to try to make one of these for myself over the holidays when I should have a bit more free time. Thanks for the idea!
ReplyDeleteThis is so clever!
ReplyDeleteThank you posting this.
I use a personal croquis too - so helpful! Here are a couple examples: http://odacier.blogspot.com/2011/01/paper-dolls.html
ReplyDeletehttp://odacier.blogspot.com/2011/11/wear-your-thing-on-your-sleeve.html
Your post made me get off my lazy bum and finally do one. I had the hubby shoot several pictures with the camera at different heights, and then picked the one was the least distorted. I also did the side view- and it confirmed a couple things about what i've been thinking over the last couple of makes. now how to translate that into my next make!
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