Are you interested in providing research inputs for Copper Catkin? Would you like to see your shape used to develop garments that will actually fit and flatter you?
If you answered 'yes', then please send me through a set of 3 'technical' photos (these are for the garment development) and 5-10 'dynamic' photos (these are to help visualise how the garments and the fabrics might perform 'in the wild').

Your original photos will never be displayed publicly, and you will only be credited if you want to be. ​

Ok, so here's where it gets real. In order to complete my design brief for the pattern maker, Liz, I had to be absolutely accurate in my drawings of my garments. Liz also requested photos of me in clothes that were similar to what I wanted, with notes, as references. My initial sketches were useful as guides, but the only way I knew how to do it was to draw them on my own shape - so, as well as the reference photos, I had my husband take photos of me in fitted clothing, and then I used them to trace my actual shape. This was a difficult experience, because it's hard to face yourself at any time, but as a big girl who has lost the weight twice before, and regained it again, it's even harder, because I was acknowledging my failure to keep the weight off head-on. Still, I persevered, and came up with these.

So, I mentioned in a previous post that I was trying to come up with a good system to help women identify if an outfit would fit them or not.

I figured out that the closest thing to my own shape was the New Zealand sweet potato, called a kūmara.

There's something comforting about having your ducks in a row. I know what shape I am: