I recently made a video about some of the plus size inclusive sewing brands I’ve encountered, and the entire time I was writing and rewriting what I wanted to say, I was editing out small recurring rants about the Big 4+ pattern company (Simplicity, McCalls, Butterick, Vogue and their comparatively newer acquisitions or sub-brands Burda Style, Know Me and  New Look). The Big 4+’s issues with plus size representation and inclusive sizing has been an ongoing battle. A battle that seems to spill out onto the independent companies either using the Big 4+ as a template for their own business, or in response to the Big 4’s ambivalence.

But whether it’s commercial companies or Independents, this has been a problem on a large scale for years. Not apologizing for the pun. 

It brings up some interesting questions: 

Who does inclusive sewing and representation effect? How much plus is enough plus?

IS sewing inclusive? Particularly during the present time?

What should we expect from designers and brands?

Does the size of the company matter when discussing the size of the customer?

How can brands be more inclusive and promote plus size representation?

Why does any of this matter?

Let’s talk about it!

~ / Mentioned / ~

Daughter Judy Patterns
Loose Leaf: All About the Rebrand

The Big 4+ Patternmakers
Cashmerette
Sew House 7
Tiana Herring
@tianaherringpatterns 
Itch to Stitch
Son de Flor
Twig and Tale
Linennaive
Silversaga Patterns