Here is a page of fashions from inside the booklet (you can click for a closer peek!)
You might have noticed on the larger view that all of these gorgeous dress patterns are available in size 14-1/2 to 24-1/2. Can you just imagine having a range of plus size fashion patterns available today that looked like this?
Recently there has been some discussion online about the availability of stylish fashions for plus sizes (in RTW, although the limited variety of patterns in plus size came up too). I don't wish to enter the debate because I'm not well-versed enough in the RTW industry. I can only speak as a consumer (and a sewist!) But...it seems to me, there was a much greater variety of fashion in ALL sizes in the past. So I'm not sure I buy into the "it's too difficult" excuse.
Anyway...More lovely dresses in bust size 36-48:
And even MORE half size 14-1/2 to 24-1/2. (How gorgeous is that cream sheath and little jacket??)
The smallest size range seems to be size 10-18, as shown in the image below. Note though, that the cream gored skirt in the middle is waist size 30-46! What I wouldn't do to get my hands on that one. Actually, I want ALL of these top and skirt patterns.
The pattern booklet isn't limited to regular and plus women's fashions, there are childrens, teens, and mens. But it was the variety of larger sized patterns that has really intrigued me. This lingerie pattern is awesome! (Size 14-1/2 to 24-1/2)
I love "play suits" (Maybe it's the heat?) These are all amazing. The white with blue stitching is the plus offering in size 14-1/2 to 24-1/2. Note that the styling and detail is no less than the regular (misses) size offerings.
The pages I pulled from the Farmer booklet to show you were mostly sized to 24-1/2 (even though it has several more pages of gorgeous garments!) because I find it extremely interesting to see that the styles offered for the smallest size woman were also offered in the larger sizes, without debate or even much fanfare. It appears to just be normal to offer the current style of fashion in a larger size. Thought went into how to tweak current styles to suit different size ranges.
In a nutshell...EVERYONE was deserving of beautifully tailored clothing, whatever their size. Somewhere along the way, that attitude has fallen by the wayside.
I hope you're all having a wonderful weekend! And if you have any "Farmer" mail order patterns, or any information about the company, let us know in the comments. I'd love to know more about them!
