I like my size

Allow my day job to creep out and share a poem with you (I'm an English teacher) - Maya Angelou's "Phenomenal Woman"

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies. I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size But when I start to tell them, They think I'm telling lies. I say, It's in the reach of my arms The span of my hips, The stride of my step, The curl of my lips. I'm a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That's me. I walk into a room Just as cool as you please, And to a man, The fellows stand or Fall down on their knees. Then they swarm around me, A hive of honey bees. I say, It's the fire in my eyes, And the flash of my teeth, The swing in my waist, And the joy in my feet. I'm a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That's me. Men themselves have wondered What they see in me. They try so much But they can't touch My inner mystery. When I try to show them They say they still can't see. I say, It's in the arch of my back, The sun of my smile, The ride of my breasts, The grace of my style. I'm a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That's me. Now you understand Just why my head's not bowed. I don't shout or jump about Or have to talk real loud. When you see me passing It ought to make you proud. I say, It's in the click of my heels, The bend of my hair, the palm of my hand, The need of my care, 'Cause I'm a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That's me I'm 5'4" and a size 12/14 in RTW which makes me pretty darn average - except for my girls because I definitely have an above-average size bust. I used to care that my body wasn't perfect. Then I gave birth to and nursed (for a cumulative total of 7 years) four beautiful, healthy children. Things could be a lot worse.  As a sewist, I have come to realize I have a unique advantage. I'm right at the size where patterns tend to cross size ranges. I just picked up a La Mia Boutique Tagli Fortie because I'm only one size off (smaller than) many of the patterns. Plus, I already know they look good on models with figures more like mine than the size 2's modeling in the regular issue. If I sew it, it's about the final appearance, not vanity sizing. I make it fit me. Of course, I thumbed through the issue, identified several things I like and want to make and proceded to cut out two nightgowns and a skirt from big four patterns. The fabric for the skirt was Italian. Does that count? LOL ;-)