Something has been eating away at me for a month or so. I didn't want to blog about it until my temper cooled. But the time has come.
It's the Editor's Letter in the winter 2009 issue of Vogue Knitting.
She chunters on about how they are a collection of women of different sizes and how they understand the need for plus sizing etc, until she gets to the meat of the matter:
"As professionals, we ask that you understand why we make our choices to size only certain silhouettes up or down. We choose those we believe will work for the greater majority of our readers, so you don’t waste time (and money) knitting a garment you will not necessarily be happy with when you’re finished. We mark our larger-size patterns (up to size 2X or 3X) with “Size +”, and if you check our pattern store on our website, you will find a search tab for large-sized patterns."
Well and good, they can publish what they like, and I accept that not every pattern is flattering to every figure. So I took a look at that issue. And looked again.
And you know what I discovered? The oh-so-sophisticated professionals at Vogue Knitting who put together that Winter issue consider the only proper shape to flatter a plus-sized woman resembles a potato sack. Dropped shoulders, boxy shapes, big ROUND bold accents above the bust and right at the hips.
Have these people ever seen Annie Modisitt's beautifully-shaped patterns? Or anything from Joan McGowan-Michael of White Lies Designs? Those designers know how to shape a garment to fit and flatter a wide range of sizes, up to and including multiple Xs. Even if you fall beyond those sizes they offer, their patterns offer lots of tips on how to shape them to YOUR form.
They use care, artistry and savvy to make certain their work pleases a wide range of women.
And they aren't alone. Countless independent designers can be found on Patternfish and Ravelry who care enough to make their patterns inclusive, not excluding.
A far cry from the lazy, cack-handed "we don't want to spend the budget to plus-size shapely knits" attitude Vogue has decided is now company policy.
I have terminated my 3 year subscription with them, with prejudice.
