Make your own Mastectomy clothing?

Options
greenfrog
greenfrog Member Posts: 269
edited June 2014 in Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy

Hello

Following on from another thread I wondered if anyone has made their own tops etc to disguise/accommodate their flatness? Or if they have ambitions to try it?

I am not a great dressmaker but I really want to try and make some clothes which work for me. I am generally quite happy with waistcoats and scarves but I would like to try and come up with some other ideas.

Anyone interested in sharing ideas or learning together?!

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • greenfrog
    greenfrog Member Posts: 269
    edited September 2012

    Nobody? Really? Ah well no harm in asking.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • shoofoolatte
    shoofoolatte Member Posts: 20
    edited September 2012

    I recently had a "deconstruction" surgery to remove the silicon implants that were put in after a single Mastectomy in 2007.  The implants were very painful and my breasts did not match.  I am now very happy to be rid of the silicon and enjoying my one-sided flatness.

     I bought 2 tops from Chikara Design http://www.chikaradesign.com/flash.html  for women with "asymettrical" breasts and LOVE them.  I have not yet been to the place where I get a "form" and mastectomy bras because I am so comfortable wearing these tops that camouflage my lop sided-ness.

    I am interested in ways to dress - like how to use scarves and the like - so that I will not be dependant upon using a form to look ok in clothing.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • greenfrog
    greenfrog Member Posts: 269
    edited September 2012

    Hi - I am glad you are comfy again without the silicon - must be a big relief. I was looking at Chikara clothing last night and was so impressed by some of the styling. Particularly love the ruffling on the swimsuits. I am surprised that there aren't more designers at work in this field. There seems to be a bit of an over-dependence on only creating clothing that house prostheses.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Cindyl
    Cindyl Member Posts: 1,194
    edited September 2012

    Chikara has some interesting stuff, sadly they don't seem to have anything plus sized...  I had a lumpectomy. My bad side is 2 cup sizes bigger than my good side, and my arm on the cancer side is swollen on any given day to the point that snug sleeves are out of the question, especially when I'm wearing my le sleeve.   Here are some of the things I'm buying...

     http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/womens_plus/tops_shirts/tops/PRD~1074563/Dana+Buchman+Camouflage+Dolman+Top++Womens+Plus.jsp

    http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/womens_plus/tops_shirts/tops/PRD~1079423/Dana+Buchman+Medallion+Chiffon+Poncho+Top++Womens+Plus.jsp 

    I'd love to get back to sewing and make stuff that works for me, maybe, I'll feel energetic enough to do so...

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited September 2012

    What a great question, greenfrog! There are definitely members on the site who sew - maybe ask on the Stitching the Pieces Together thread to see what the talented quilters and crafters there might recommend?

    • The Mods

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • crystalphm
    crystalphm Member Posts: 1,138
    edited September 2012

    This is a great thread idea. I have so much clothing I would love to modify. Scarves are a great thing to use, but mine always always come undone so the wrong parts are showing and the scarf is looking unattractive. Any thoughts?

    I also would love to modify some clothing I have, I know MT did a blouse that was fantastic, but I am not sure how to dive in and do this.

    I think the only silver lining to breast cancer is not having to wear a bra, so I don't. I do however wear a Still You or a TLC cami for forms at times.

    I just can't get rid of so many pieces of clothes that i love...maybe I will feel differently after i have to blow the dust off to wear them.

    Another concern is my big belly. I know, exercise and diet...but empire waists are not always flattering either. (I am maybe 20 pounds over weight just for a reference point)

    Wow, I just reread this, I think I am so happy to talk about modifying clothing my thoughts are all over the place!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • River_Rat
    River_Rat Member Posts: 1,724
    edited September 2012

    Crystal, until you get your clothing modified maybe "infinity" scarves would work better for you than regular scarves.  You need to find them big enough that you put the tube around your neck, twist and put over your head again - voila! - instant cowl neck which is nice over clingy tops that you might not wear otherwise and mine stay in place very well.  With other scarves I sometimes use pins or scarf clips or slides (necklace shorteners work well too).  You can find the necklace shorteners at craft stores in with jewelery making supplies and they're very inexpensive.

    Here's an example of a necklace shortener:  http://store.goodybeads.com/store/products/A010231.html 

    And some scarf clips and slides:   http://stores.ebay.com/ellenviva/Scarf-Clips-Slides-/_i.html?_fsub=1974323013

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • blainejennifer
    blainejennifer Member Posts: 1,848
    edited September 2012

    I'm a 1x with one breast. I've found that Matchpoint tops are the best, as the linen just kind of floats over my flat side. Plus, they have a high neckline, so that no one sees my scar when I bend over. I stay away from knits because they cling to my belly on the flat side, and I don't like the look.

    I also like the Flax line of clothes. Once again, linen is great as it skims over the body, and doesn't cling to bumps and lumps. Here's the best site for reduced prices on the Flax line: Recycledthreads.com. 

    With a good linen top, and some kick-ass scarves, I feel pretty good about my "look". No knits. No deep necklines.

    Jennifer

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • greenfrog
    greenfrog Member Posts: 269
    edited September 2012

    Great to hear from everyone! 

    Infinity scarves/snoods are a great idea for providing instant cowl necklines.

    Crystal I know what you mean about the belly/chest ratio thing - I don't do me in profile. Not collosally overweight in the belly area but my chest is so flat that it looks, well, aesthetically unappealing to me! (I absolutely agree that being braless is fantastic - I've always hated wearing a bra.)

    I suspect that draping, ruffles and layers are the order of the day for me. I read that Mel was removing darts from clothing but I have actually found the shaping that darts provide in shirts and waistcoats can be quite useful. I have also found that the lower the neckline the better for me - revealing my upper chest seems to draw the eye away from the bits that are missing below. I used to work with a woman who was extremely flat chested - she always wore very low cut tops and looked wonderful.

    Has anybody found that they can no longer tolerate certain fabrics? I always wore a lot of stretchy lycra type stuff but since treatment I cannot stand it against my skin.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • crystalphm
    crystalphm Member Posts: 1,138
    edited September 2012

    Brilliant with the Infinity scarves! In fact my few favorite tops to wear are cowls, and I wear a tank top underneath. The infinity would mimic this. I am hoping to make a few, it will brush up my sewing skills.

    And the scarf clip!! Fantastic, I wonder why i never thought of this before?

    Interesting about not being able to tolerate fabrics now, I can't do lycra either, it just doesn't feel right. And I feel 'claustrophobic" in most 100% polyester's. Also I find anything that is snug around my upper arm drives me crazy, i can't stand the feel.

    Ok, off to look at the scarf pins and clips!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • River_Rat
    River_Rat Member Posts: 1,724
    edited September 2012

    Yes, to certain fabrics now being unwearable.  I can't stand satin type tops or anything Lycra against my scars.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • fluff
    fluff Member Posts: 7
    edited September 2012

    Hi Greenfrog,

      Since having BMX without reconstruction, I have become obsessed with Japanese sewing books ("style books"). The patterns all seem to be made for flat-chested women! You can find some of the ones that have English translations on Amazon.com.  

     

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited September 2012

    Great suggestion, fluff! I've seen used copies of these on Etsy and Ebay too.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • greenfrog
    greenfrog Member Posts: 269
    edited September 2012

    Hi Fluff - thanks for that - I am off to have a good look at Amazon now.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • starzhere
    starzhere Member Posts: 162
    edited October 2012

    Hi Fluff, are there any book titles you can recommend? 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Limabean
    Limabean Member Posts: 1
    edited October 2012

    I had a single mastectomy with no reconstruction. I plan on making my own garments that do not hide this decision. I have been looking online to see if anyone is doing this and found nothing so far. Have you made any attempts to make your own clothes? I am still recovering from surgery so I'm not in a position to get out my sewing machine just yet, but I'm encouraged that I'm not the only one interested!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • fluff
    fluff Member Posts: 7
    edited October 2012



    I like "Simple Modern Sewing" and "Stylish Dress Book." Both are available on Amazon.

    I love looking at Japanese fashions online; most of the styles are perfect for those of us without reconstruction.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • fluff
    fluff Member Posts: 7
    edited October 2012

    I wanted to add that for about a year after having BMX, I couldn't bear walking into my sewing room, even though I love sewing. I finally felt ready, but it was still difficult. The first thing I did was adjust my dress form to look like the new, flat me--and that was all I could stand for one day. Then, I adjusted my sloper--which I created less than a year before my surgery--to get rid of the darts. After that, it slowly became easier and somewhere in there I started using those Japanese sewing books. I still am not fully adept at making clothes for my new shape, but I'm coming along. I also have spent a fair amount of time altering clothes in my closet (and getting rid of tons of clothes, too).

    I haven't had a lot of time to be on these boards, but I have a little more time now and am always happy to talk sewing and flat fashion.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • River_Rat
    River_Rat Member Posts: 1,724
    edited October 2012

    Can you buy Japanese sewing books in sewing and craft stores? I'd really like to look at some before I buy.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited October 2012

    River Rat, I searched for one of the book titles fluff cited, and found a review by someone who sews that shows quite a few of the book's pages. Not the same as having the book in your hands, but a start!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2012

    River, I found a couple on Amazon that I liked but did not buy. Do a search there on Japanese sewing books.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • River_Rat
    River_Rat Member Posts: 1,724
    edited October 2012

    Thanks, Mods and Tina!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • fluff
    fluff Member Posts: 7
    edited October 2012

    Here is a website that I really like for inspiration; it will show you lots of pictures from different Japanese sewing books: http://www.japanesesewingbooks.com/

    Now, most of these books are in Japanese only, and use metric for the patterns. But it will give you a good idea of what kinds of patterns are available. I think that as interest is growing, there will be more books published with English translations (and lower prices).

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • River_Rat
    River_Rat Member Posts: 1,724
    edited October 2012

    Thanks Fluff!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories