That's a skill you can use for yourself, and obviously, for others. theperfumer asks me every so often about whether or not you're going to start your own lingerie company. (You made noise about it about a year and a half ago.)
I did make noise about it, until I realized that I can start all the fucking companies I want, it doesn't change the fact that none of the bras I could buy will fit me.
Custom bra-making is something else. I'd need better sewing skills than I have. I'd also need better people skills than I have. And I'd need a whole hell of a lot of equipment I don't have. I'd need a studio or workshop. And I'd really need to give up doing any of the other things I'd planned on.
I also would probably have to relocate; Buffalo is not exactly the ideal market for couture, and custom bras cannot be done without in-person fittings.
I dunno, maybe if I weren't currently in tears because I'm so upset about how much of a freak I am, this would seem like a better idea, but I'm in a really bad place right at the moment and am hoping it's hormones. I am a freak, I can't buy clothing, I will never be normal, etc. etc. etc., it just gets to me sometimes. I should probably go to bed.
That sounds like a great idea! Did I tell you, I went into Bravissimo the other day and *all* the bras in the shop were big cup sizes on tiny little bands. You'd have had no problem finding a 32 J. I on the other hand, looking for a 40E, went from stack to stack and came out on the verge of tears because clearly I was too grossly fat for this shop to want to display a bra in my size. I don't think Bravissimo are doing too well on their customer service, if they managed to alienate both of us for diametrically opposite reasons!
I know a few people who mod their fitted dress patterns into bras to wear under modern clothes. I’ve never wanted to, because I don’t want to have the girls squished together in normal clothes, but I think it’d be better than having an underwire digging into your armpit.
I know you’ve been having problems finding people to fit you. I need people to practice on for drafting by measurement. I’m going to ask publicly for volunteers in the next day or so, but would you like to be first on the list? I know you have particular fitting problems, but you’re not that far off from me.
I'm probably a good test case-- I think I can pretty definitely be termed a "Problem Figure", so if you can fit me right, you can fit anybody! (Well, anybody with my brand of "problem".) I have the nicely-weird compounding issues of a small rib cage (it's weird, it really has a noticeable dent right under my boobs and all the way around the sides), and a small attachment point for the boobs, and no space between them in front, and they just get unruly in general. I have to lift them pretty dang high for them to stay put.
The bras that I am currently most comfortable in are major-masher sports bras anyway, which give about the same look. I have been trying to modify choli patterns too, but so far success has eluded me. It's hard to get just the right fit.
I've actually purchased the pattern for a Regency corset from Reconstructing History-- the short type of corset, ending at the top of the rib cage-- in the hopes of making something that will produce an acceptably modern silhouette under clothing. (I also have other plans for it, so it wasn't just for that I bought it, but mostly.) I just am not having any luck with modern lingerie.
You SHOULD do this. You could do it kind of on the side and you could custom-create your OWN bras, which would be a boon in and of itself. FWIW, *I* have excellent people skills and I will gladly measure your customers and chat them up! :)
You should do it!!! If it's too expensive or you're worried about your sewing skills, just do the first four weeks. But seriously: you've got the time, you have the motivation, and you need a job. Go for it!! You could even drive home every night if it's only an hour away, so you wouldn't have to pay for a hotel.
I'm pretty sure I can't enroll now that it starts in four days. There are waiting lists to get in and the class description even mentions the option of pre-registering for 2009. So I can't do it now-- not to mention the plans I would have to cancel for, oh, this coming week.
I will buy her book, though. Yes, it's more than I can afford, but it costs less than a single bra in my size, so I might as well.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2008-09-08 04:26 am (UTC)That's a skill you can use for yourself, and obviously, for others.
no subject
Date: 2008-09-08 04:45 am (UTC)Custom bra-making is something else. I'd need better sewing skills than I have. I'd also need better people skills than I have. And I'd need a whole hell of a lot of equipment I don't have. I'd need a studio or workshop. And I'd really need to give up doing any of the other things I'd planned on.
I also would probably have to relocate; Buffalo is not exactly the ideal market for couture, and custom bras cannot be done without in-person fittings.
I dunno, maybe if I weren't currently in tears because I'm so upset about how much of a freak I am, this would seem like a better idea, but I'm in a really bad place right at the moment and am hoping it's hormones. I am a freak, I can't buy clothing, I will never be normal, etc. etc. etc., it just gets to me sometimes. I should probably go to bed.
no subject
Date: 2008-09-08 07:50 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-09-08 01:24 pm (UTC)I know you’ve been having problems finding people to fit you. I need people to practice on for drafting by measurement. I’m going to ask publicly for volunteers in the next day or so, but would you like to be first on the list? I know you have particular fitting problems, but you’re not that far off from me.
no subject
Date: 2008-09-08 01:44 pm (UTC)I'm probably a good test case-- I think I can pretty definitely be termed a "Problem Figure", so if you can fit me right, you can fit anybody! (Well, anybody with my brand of "problem".) I have the nicely-weird compounding issues of a small rib cage (it's weird, it really has a noticeable dent right under my boobs and all the way around the sides), and a small attachment point for the boobs, and no space between them in front, and they just get unruly in general. I have to lift them pretty dang high for them to stay put.
The bras that I am currently most comfortable in are major-masher sports bras anyway, which give about the same look.
I have been trying to modify choli patterns too, but so far success has eluded me. It's hard to get just the right fit.
I've actually purchased the pattern for a Regency corset from Reconstructing History-- the short type of corset, ending at the top of the rib cage-- in the hopes of making something that will produce an acceptably modern silhouette under clothing. (I also have other plans for it, so it wasn't just for that I bought it, but mostly.) I just am not having any luck with modern lingerie.
no subject
Date: 2008-09-08 02:12 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-09-08 02:15 pm (UTC)It's too bad I just found out about the class and it starts in four days. I doubt I can do it this year.
no subject
Date: 2008-09-08 05:04 pm (UTC)If it's too expensive or you're worried about your sewing skills, just do the first four weeks. But seriously: you've got the time, you have the motivation, and you need a job. Go for it!! You could even drive home every night if it's only an hour away, so you wouldn't have to pay for a hotel.
no subject
Date: 2008-09-08 05:08 pm (UTC)I will buy her book, though. Yes, it's more than I can afford, but it costs less than a single bra in my size, so I might as well.