Stitch by Stitch: Progress in My Heritage-Inspired Clothing Project
In a previous article, I shared the beginning of my journey to create a wardrobe inspired by the colours and textures of the West Highlands and Islands. As a 6’7” autistic trans woman, my transition has been more about feeling good in my own skin than focusing on specific external changes. Despite my height and unique body measurements, finding clothes that fit both my body and my aesthetic preferences has always been a challenge. No pronoun pin is going to keep me from being randomly misgendered at this stage of my transition.
To address these challenges, I decided to take a hands-on approach to fashion, focusing on the practical aspects of fabric selection, fitment, and colour creation. This journey has allowed me to reconnect with my artistic side and heritage, creating clothes that not only fit well but also resonate deeply with my identity. Today, I am excited to share the progress of this project and the practical steps taken to bring these designs to life.
Selecting the fabric
Choosing the right fabric was a crucial step in creating a wardrobe that fits both my body and my sensory needs. After careful consideration, I selected cotton gauze fabric for its exceptional qualities. The primary criteria for choosing this fabric included its sensory-friendly nature, breathability, and durability. As an autistic person, the texture of the fabric against my skin is paramount, and cotton gauze, with its soft yet slightly textured feel, meets this need perfectly.
Cotton gauze is a lightweight, airy material that allows for excellent airflow, making it ideal for staying comfortable in various climates. Its flowy nature ensures ease of movement and a relaxed fit, which is essential for my comfort and confidence. Additionally, cotton gauze holds colour exceptionally well, allowing me to bring the vibrant and earthy hues of the West Highlands and Islands to life in my garments.
The benefits of using cotton gauze extend beyond its tactile and visual appeal. It is also a durable fabric that withstands regular wear and washing, ensuring that my handmade clothes remain in good condition over time. This fabric choice has provided a solid foundation for creating pieces that are not only beautiful but also practical and comfortable for everyday wear.
Perfecting the Fitment
Perfecting the fitment of my new wardrobe, thus far, has been a humbling yet rewarding process. Given my unique body measurements, such as my height and proportions, finding off-the-rack clothes has always been a challenge. My long torso often renders traditional “tall” styles, whether men’s or women’s, insufficient, as they fail to provide the necessary length. This reality led me to focus on creating custom pieces that accommodate my specific needs.
One of the first steps in ensuring a good fit was taking precise body measurements. This process, whilst humbling, was essential for creating garments that truly fit my frame. With these measurements in hand, I began modifying some patterns that I found on line that match what I’m trying to accomplish with all of this. To address the issue of length, I opted for a tunic style. This choice naturally adds length and provides a comfortable and flattering silhouette that flows beautifully.
Given my large torso, accommodating the initial growth from hormone replacement therapy (HRT) was another critical consideration. To address this, I incorporated a lace-up neck opening into the design. This feature not only adds a stylish element but also provides adjustability, allowing the garment to adapt to changes in my body shape over time.
Techniques such as strategic darts and seams were employed to create a fit that is both comfortable and flattering. Darts help shape the fabric to contour to my body, while carefully placed seams ensure that the garment retains its structure and provides ease of movement. Additionally, the use of adjustable features like the lace-up neckline offers flexibility and ensures that the fit remains perfect as my body continues to evolve.
Overall, the process of perfecting the fitment has been an empowering journey. By taking control of my wardrobe and designing clothes that cater to my unique measurements and needs, I have created garments that not only fit well but also enhance my confidence and comfort.
Creating the Heritage-Inspired Colours
The inspiration behind my colour palette comes from the stunning landscapes of the West Highlands and Islands. The vibrant heather-covered hills, the deep greens of the sea, and the earthy tones of the sand all played a role in shaping the colours for my garments. To translate these natural hues into fabric dyes, I turned to Rit dyes for their reliability and ease of use.
For the heathered purple, I used Rit’s hyacinth dye and diluted it more than recommended. This shade captures the soft, muted purple of the heather that blankets the hillsides, bringing a touch of my ancestral homeland to my wardrobe. Achieving consistency in this colour required precise measurements and timing during the dyeing process to ensure each batch matched perfectly.
Creating the sea green was a bit more complex. I combined Rit’s teal, evening blue, and aquamarine to capture the ever-changing hues of the Atlantic Ocean. This mix needed careful experimentation to balance the colours and achieve the desired depth and richness, reflecting the mystery and beauty of the sea.
The sand colour fabric was a fortunate find, already dyed to match the earthy tones of the region’s beaches. Keeping it as is allowed for a natural, effortless inclusion in my collection, tying together the elements of land and sea.
Each shade in my palette holds significant meaning, connecting me to the landscapes that shaped my heritage and providing a visual narrative of my journey. By using these specific dyes and methods, I’ve ensured that my garments not only look beautiful but also carry the essence of the West Highlands and Islands.
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Practical Benefits and Personal Satisfaction
The practical benefits of my new tunics are numerous and have significantly improved my daily comfort and confidence. The cotton gauze fabric is lightweight and breathable, offering ease of movement that is essential for both my professional and personal life. Its sensory-friendly texture ensures that I remain comfortable throughout the day, avoiding the discomfort that many other fabrics often cause. The tunic style adds the necessary length to accommodate my long torso, whilst the lace-up neck opening allows for adjustability, making the garments versatile and adaptable to my body’s changes.
Wearing clothes that reflect my identity and heritage has brought me immense personal satisfaction. Each piece in my wardrobe tells a story, connecting me to the vibrant colours and textures of my ancestral lands. This connection to my roots provides a sense of grounding and pride, reinforcing my journey of self-discovery as an autistic trans woman. The colours I’ve chosen, particularly the heathered purple and sea green, not only resonate with my heritage but also complement my natural colouring, enhancing my appearance and confidence.
The positive feedback I’ve received has been incredibly affirming. Compliments such as “you look cute” in the heathered purple and comments on how well the shade suits me have reinforced the value of this project. These affirmations highlight the success of my goal to create a wardrobe that not only fits well and feels comfortable but also looks great on me. The satisfaction of knowing that my efforts are appreciated and that I am presenting my true self to the world is deeply rewarding.
Overall, the practical benefits and personal satisfaction derived from this project have made it an invaluable part of my transition. It has allowed me to reclaim my identity through fashion, combining practicality with personal expression in a way that is both meaningful and empowering.
Final thoughts …
Thus far, I’ve made significant progress in creating a wardrobe that combines practicality, comfort, and personal expression. Currently, I pair my new tops with baggy, light blue denim jeans. However, I plan to develop trousers that match the style and offer better breathability and fit than my current jeans. Whilst shirts were my biggest challenge, which I’m glad to have solved, I recognise that trousers are much more difficult for those beginning to sew.
Looking ahead, I also want to add items like vests and jackets to my wardrobe, though I won’t need those for at least another six months. I encourage others to explore their own heritage through fashion and creativity. By connecting with your roots and designing clothes that reflect your identity, you can create a wardrobe that is both meaningful and empowering. Embrace the journey of self-discovery and expression, and find joy in the process of making clothes that truly fit you.