Name my blog: Plus size + sewing + fashion

October 6, 2016 5:20 AM

Help me name my blog! Broad strokes are that it is going to be about sewing your own clothes, plus size fashion, and stuff like that. Extra details within.

I'm a plus size woman who is absolutely fed up with the poorly made, massively overpriced, generally ugly plus size clothing offered that never fit right, not to mention the utter lack of selection in terms of cute, unique clothes. Enter my sewing machine. So I am now making a lot of my own clothes but am aiming to not have it LOOK like I make my own clothes. Not home-ec. DIY fashion that doesn't look DIY. And the little feedback I have gotten on various online forums and in person has been really really positive. So I am going to start blogging about it.

topics are going to be largely centered around:
- sewing clothes (using a pattern, but I largely make clothes on the fly with no pattern)
- sewing clothes that don't look like they came from a high school home ec class because that is the real challenge...
- tailoring clothes (esp. rehashing second hand clothes to make them into something that fits and is cute)
- plus size fashion in general/dressing for your body/plus size doesn't have to mean frumpy/etc
- low effort but still looking put together pieces
- clothes that work even when your weight is fluctuating (my weight is ALWAYS changing due to constant weigh loss efforts and periodic regains)
- my love of lipsticks. This will probably not play a huge part in the blog, but I am obsessed with brightly coloured lipsticks


Blog name guidelines:
- I don't want to use the word "fat".
- In general I think the word "curvy" is overdone and overused, but I'm not totally against it.
- Puns, obviously, are welcome, but non-pun names are totally good too.

posted by PuppetMcSockerson to Grab Bag (48 answers total)

Big Style (or Fashion)? Maximum Hand-Fashioned Style (or Fashion)? Maximum DIY Style (or Fashion)? Hand-Fashioned on a Curve? Hand-Fashioned (or -Crafted) Curves?

/A fellow plus-size lady who would totally read this blog. Good luck!
posted by smirkette at 5:40 AM on October 6, 2016 [1 favorite]

The Well-Tailored Woman
posted by MonkeyToes at 5:49 AM on October 6, 2016 [3 favorites]

Oh Yeah It's Happening
posted by amtho at 5:54 AM on October 6, 2016 [2 favorites]

The plus-sized seamstress
Tailored on a curve
Curvy couture
A dress that fits
posted by bored_now_flay at 5:55 AM on October 6, 2016

On first read, I thought the name of your blog was "Broad Strokes" and I thought you were very clever. I still think that's a pretty good name, works on a couple of different levels.
posted by jeoc at 6:01 AM on October 6, 2016 [20 favorites]

I give you permission to use Dressed to Kill.
posted by Dressed to Kill at 6:01 AM on October 6, 2016 [3 favorites]

Best answer: I thought the same as jeoc--maybe "broad stitches" would also work as a play on "broad strokes"?
posted by cogitron at 6:04 AM on October 6, 2016 [6 favorites]

I'm going to need a link when this starts. Fat sewist here, too! Although I hate making clothes for myself.
posted by wwartorff at 6:17 AM on October 6, 2016 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: broad is probably a really good work to work with since it has the woman and the width and the sewing aspect all worked into it. Hmm...


Currently leaning towards "The Broad Stitch" or something like that...
posted by PuppetMcSockerson at 6:23 AM on October 6, 2016 [3 favorites]

Best answer: Or "The Broad Stitches". And send me a memail when you start!
posted by kjs4 at 6:28 AM on October 6, 2016 [3 favorites]

Hey, I read a ton of sewing blogs... Like a ton. As a non-plus size sewer who reads many blogs by plus-size sewers, I would actually encourage you to NOT use a size based pun title. Sewing is a great community. One of the things that I think makes it especially great is seeing that no matter what size, we all share fitting issues. You can be skinny and need a full bust adjustment, or plus-size and need a small bust adjustment. Weight doesn't affect whether you have a swayback or are knock-kneed. I think if you title yourself in that way, you'd really be limiting your audience.

I would encourage you to use a title that reflects your love of fashion or color or your pets or ... Whatever fills you with love and happiness.
posted by slipthought at 6:40 AM on October 6, 2016 [4 favorites]

I would also like to request a memail when you decide on a name! I think the plural (broad stitches) sounds better than the singular.
posted by brilliantine at 7:12 AM on October 6, 2016

Broad Cloth!!!!!!!!!
posted by deadcrow at 7:16 AM on October 6, 2016 [8 favorites]

Broad Cloth
posted by Room 641-A at 7:17 AM on October 6, 2016 [2 favorites]

Best answer: I thought I was being really clever, but Sewing Outside The Lines is already taken so I guess I'm not :(

How about something with "Fits"? Fits Your Tits - oh god no, that's terrible. Somebody get me another coffee.
posted by Mary Ellen Carter at 7:23 AM on October 6, 2016 [7 favorites]

Nthing Broad Cloath, that sounds excellent. While I can totally see slipthought's point, it can also be helpful for the title to reflect size (if it's going to be a focus for you) since it makes it easier to find you.

I'd love a memail once you start, too - this sounds great.
posted by carbide at 7:24 AM on October 6, 2016 [3 favorites]

I have no ideas, sorry, but I totally want to read this blog; please share the link when it's ready!
posted by anderjen at 7:35 AM on October 6, 2016 [1 favorite]

Best answer: You should post this in Projets when it's up and running!
posted by Room 641-A at 7:35 AM on October 6, 2016 [18 favorites]

So many good suggestions already, but have to throw "Sew Big" out there.
posted by Empidonax at 8:05 AM on October 6, 2016

Another vote for Broad Cloth here!
posted by veids at 8:07 AM on October 6, 2016 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Mary Ellen Carter, "Fits Your Tits" is one of the funniest things I have ever heard and feel I must have a reoccurring feature on my blog called "Fits Your Tits" about altering patterns/clothes to fit my ample chest (plus, that is something I absolutely have to deal with all the time). This is happening. This must happen. I owe to comedy and boobs everywhere to make this happen. It is my responsiboobity.


Brilliant suggestions across the board. I went with "The Broad Stitch" because it immediately felt perfect and like me. Broad works in so many ways. Broad = fabric (ie. broadcloth is a type of fabric). Broad = size. Broad = woman. Broad = wide range of topics. And I sort of love that the acronym is "BS". And the domain was available. Wins across the board.

Very encouraging to have interest in it already. I will post to projects once I have it up and running, and will follow up here and try to message the people who asked to be told.
posted by PuppetMcSockerson at 8:08 AM on October 6, 2016 [37 favorites]

A vote for Broad Cloth, and I would definitely read this! Let us know when you're up and running!
posted by rio at 8:08 AM on October 6, 2016

Just another plus-size broad here chiming in with interest. Very much looking forward to reading this blog!
posted by bologna on wry at 8:20 AM on October 6, 2016

Another future follower!
posted by BlueHorse at 8:50 AM on October 6, 2016

Best answer: Your original question has been answered, but I wanted to suggest a tag line along the lines of: "Handmade, not Homemade" to encompass the very important idea that you have of sewing clothes that don't look like they came from a high school home ec class.

I am also looking forward to reading this blog.
posted by sparklemotion at 9:02 AM on October 6, 2016 [6 favorites]

Yes, sign me up too!
posted by threetwentytwo at 9:03 AM on October 6, 2016

Yep, I'd also love to get a link when you're ready. This sounds like a fantastic project!
posted by quince at 9:09 AM on October 6, 2016

I'd like a link as well.
posted by megancita at 9:13 AM on October 6, 2016

Like the title you chose and definitely will read it. I am teh fat and have recently started trying to sew shirts for myself
posted by misanthropicsarah at 9:17 AM on October 6, 2016

Yes I must read your blog! Can't wait.
posted by fingersandtoes at 9:20 AM on October 6, 2016

Count me in! Also, I would read the hell out of a feature called "Fits Your Tits" because really, WTH blouse buttons?
posted by S'Tella Fabula at 9:23 AM on October 6, 2016 [3 favorites]

I'd love to know too when it's up!
posted by river99 at 10:24 AM on October 6, 2016

I'll absolutely be reading.
posted by bibliogrrl at 10:42 AM on October 6, 2016

Please memail me a link too! Sounds awesome in every way!
posted by thetarium at 11:21 AM on October 6, 2016

Possible tag line: "I said intense."
posted by pracowity at 11:51 AM on October 6, 2016

Response by poster: Possible tag line: "I said intense."

.... I don't get it.
posted by PuppetMcSockerson at 12:26 PM on October 6, 2016

Best answer: Play on "in tents" referring to the typical crappy hugeness of plus sized tops and dresses.

I would LOVE if you went into sewing your own bras because holy crap I have to be able to make these suckers for less than $80 a pop.
posted by Mizu at 12:39 PM on October 6, 2016 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Another feature column could be "Slips over Hips" and you could talk about how to modify or make clothes for those of us with larger bottom halves
posted by rmless at 1:28 PM on October 6, 2016

Response by poster: I definitely have considered the making the bra thing. Its on the list.

I love "slips over hips"!!
posted by PuppetMcSockerson at 2:27 PM on October 6, 2016

I am interested in your ideas and wish to subscribe to your newsletter!!
posted by ninazer0 at 2:53 PM on October 6, 2016

Another large-and-in-charge seamstress will be reading! PLEASE do "Slips over Hips" features, which I find woefully lacking in the sewing blogs I currently read.
posted by sarajane at 5:38 PM on October 6, 2016 [1 favorite]

Just chiming in with my interest. Best of luck!
posted by hetobeto at 6:25 PM on October 6, 2016

Please add me to list of folks to notify when you are up and running!
posted by SweetTeaAndABiscuit at 7:24 PM on October 6, 2016

Count me in as another happy future reader!
posted by esoterrica at 9:35 PM on October 6, 2016

Add me too please! Good luck!
posted by saradarlin at 10:32 PM on October 6, 2016

Wrap dresses / tops without having to get an overlocker for stretchy material? Add me too please.
posted by b33j at 10:36 PM on October 6, 2016

I must have a reoccurring feature on my blog called "Fits Your Tits" about altering patterns/clothes to fit my ample chest

OMG please, yes. I went to school for years just to learn fashion design for this purpose... and then lost motivation to actually use any of my skills. Can't wait.
posted by Bunglegirl at 7:41 AM on October 7, 2016

This is terrific and I can't wait to read it--I'd love a message when it's ready to go!
posted by Edna Million at 10:19 AM on October 7, 2016