Hello! This is my first time testing for Muna and Broad, which is an exclusively plus-size pattern company. Patterns go from a 40″ waist to a 60″ waist, and *get this* they will grade up a pattern for anyone beyond that largest size FOR FREE. Swoon!
These are the Willandra Pants, which were released last week! They have cool curving side seams which are totally hidden in my linen/rayon slub fabric. They are elastic in the back , flat in the front and have the best fitting crotch curve I’ve ever sewn! The pattern is specifically drafted for large bodies, so I didn’t have to make my usual full-belly or full-butt adjustment. As you can see though, I’d benefit from adding a little more length to the back crotch curve at the inseam to fix those wrinkles.
I’m pretty close to the size ii on the pattern chart… especially because Leila and Jess, the team behind Muna and Broad, told me in no uncertain terms not to round up my hip measurement like I do for every other pattern! You see, my widest hip measurement is actually 49″, but I round up to 52″ when I pick a size. My belly is prominently forward, my tush is wide and back, and just having the right circumference won’t give me a good fit. I need enough fabric to hang vertically from my belly while also having ease to go over my hips! With Muna and Broad patterns, they suggest you do not round up a pattern size, and trust that the drafting has already accounted for your curvy body.
Let’s talk about testing, shall we? Well, you might remember that I discussed compensation and pattern testing in a blog post back in the fall, and I’m so thrilled that several big pattern companies have made some changes since then! Closet Case is giving a gift certificates to pattern testers to cover some of the costs, and Helen’s Closet is moving to a paid Quality Insurance model instead of volunteer testing!
Muna and Broad also improved their pattern testing model: They mailed me a copy of the pattern on copyshop paper, and gave me $40USD to buy fabric. It really helped me to be able to test a pattern in appropriate, quality fabric instead of digging in my own stash for something close enough. I got this navy viscose/linen slub at Spool and Spindle in Waterloo, and it’s perfect for the pattern: opaque, drapey, and satisfyingly luxe!
Have you seen my new Quarentine Hair? I shaved an undercut on one side for fun. I decided it’s time to live my post-apocalyptic badass dreams.
(Oh, an the cami is a early version of another Muna and Broad pattern coming up. It took less than a yard of my scraps from the pants, and now i have a faux-jumpsuit!)
If you have a plus-size body or you sew for anyone who does, I highly recommend keeping an eye on Muna and Broad! Even if you don’t, following their Instagram is a good way to see see fashionable fat bodies, which is a good way to break down decades of thin=better bias. I interviewed Leila (who is a professionally trained pattern drafter) for the Sewcialists recently, and we’ve been chatting a lot ever since… and Jess, the other half of the team is @Fat.Bobbin.Girl on IG and just started a new fat activism community account/blog called Fat Sewing Club which is off to a great start!
There was no requirement for me as a pattern tested to ever share what I made, let alone write a blog post… so please take this all as my honest opinion!
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