Independent pattern designers are proliferating at the moment.  Most have a particular niche that they are trying to fill, which to me seems to be sensible marketing – know your target market, and do it particularly well.  Fortunately for me, I recently came across Skinny Bitch Curvy Chick Patterns – and they are designed for petites.  That means short women, people!  Like me!  But they don’t assume that short necessarily means itty bitty slender – the patterns go from XXS to 3X (28W).  So what did I do?  I downloaded the free tonic t-shirt pattern to see if the proportions would work for me.

I made the size Large and didn’t alter it in any way. I think that it is proportioned very well for my 5’2″ frame. I used some scraps from stash to make it, and had to piece a centre back seam, but didn’t shape the centre back seam at all. I might cut the back a fraction larger from the armholes down the next time that I make it.

There’s not much more to say about this t-shirt really – it’s free, and it fits! I think that this will probably become my basic t-shirt pattern. The scooped neckline is flattering, but not too low, and I like the sleeve length as well.

There are a few patterns on the SBCC website that are now calling to me.  The comprehensive size range appears to be done in two drafts, to best accommodate the proportions of smaller (skinny bitch) and larger (curvy chick) customers.  But the same styles are offered across the size range.  I rather fancy the Empire Waist Blouse and this top with interesting drapes inserted into diagonal seams.  But I appear to have a Lekala stash to work my way through first….