From: lindam@tardigrade.Eng.Sun.COM (Linda McAllister)
Newsgroups: alt.sewing
Subject: Re: Biking Clothes (was Re: Lycra fabric outlet in SF??)
Date: 14 Nov 92 01:27:05 GMT
Organization: Sun Microsystems, Mt. View, Ca.
NNTP-Posting-Host: tardigrade




In article <1992Nov12.204453.13007@syscen.com> judiths@usisun.UUCP (Judith Speck) writes:
>
> Speaking of lycra,  I'm trying to find patterns for cycling shorts
>and racing jerseys, as well as a source for CoolMax and lycra fabrics.
>The only pattern I have seen is by Kwik Sew, and the sizes are completely
>off.  They had the usual C-cup model wearing it, with her Barbie doll
>figure.  Sorry folks, real athletes don't have Barbie boobies--they
>have a low body fat percentage, and that means the boobs are long gone.
>Also, athletic women have broader shoulders, which from the picture
>and other body measurements are not going to be accounted for either.
>These were the body measurements for the shorts/jersey size small:
>Chest 34-35.5"
>Waist 24-26"
>Hips  35.5-37"
>

Sorry, Judy, but some women who like to ride do have what you sarcastically 
refer to as Barbie boobies.  Maybe you're lucky enough not to - they make some
forms of exercise uncomfortable (if not downright painful) unless special 
support bras are worn (assuming you can find one to fit a larger cup size). 

>These people need to watch the Olympics!  I doubt there were many
>female athletes who have a 10" difference between their chest and
>waist!  Most were pretty surf-board like!  
>

You seem to define "athlete" as someone close to Olympic-class quality, 
ignoring everyone who may just like to exercise because they like to, and
may not necessarily fit into the ideal body mold.

Yes, world-class female athletes are considerably below average when it comes 
to body fat.  Olympic athletes spend most of their time training, and trying
to get that extra edge.  They tend to have similar body types (because people
who don't fit the theoretical ideal body type for the sport get selected out
early?  Or not encouraged to go on?  How many female gymnasts do you see any 
more who are over 5'4"?)  They also fall into a relatively narrow age range.  
Most women do not fit this category, though:  they're all ages, shapes and 
sizes.  Sometimes they're even pregnant!  These pattern companies need to 
watch {pick your favorite amateur run/bike ride/etc} to see what athletes
really look like :-)

>If the pattern company is going to make patterns for athletic wear, 
>why don't they size it to fit athletes?  In altering the pattern, I 
>would need to broaden the shoulders (to allow for larger biceps), 
>and make a smaller hip/waist proportion  (they don't have fat on 
>their hips) and a smaller chest/waist proportion to allow for no
>chest fat, too.  I'm simply not that experienced!  My last project
>was a Star Trek (TNG) uniform for Halloween, and I found it much
>easier to alter the men's size 34 to fit me than to try to correct
>the misses Barbie doll pattern.  There was no way I could get the 
>shoulders and waist to fit otherwise.
>
>Any suggestions? (BTW, I didn't see any athletic wear in BURDA)
>
I'm glad some pattern company is making patterns for exercise wear that match
how I'm proportioned!  I know how you feel - I see all these lovely jerseys in
the bike stores but I can't wear them because they're made for a flat chest :-)  
Try a men's pattern.  Or see a general sewing book on pattern alteration:  they
will have instructions on removing darts.  If you have some that you like the
fit of, try using these to make your own pattern.  (The Vogue Sewing book should
have instructions for making patterns from existing garments without destroying
the garment. ) 

>Judith
>The self-appointed president of the newly-created Society For Realistic Women
>
Sounds like an interesting organization, but from your attitude above it seems
that quite a few women won't be able to join.


linda mcallister

(Standing by for flames - what's happening to this newsgroup?  Must be the 
water.  Or something.)
Newsgroups: alt.sewing