About 18 months ago, after years of my mum always telling me I should sew my own clothes because I had so much trouble finding what I liked, I finally found my dream pattern and took the plunge. I’d spent a lot of time browsing instagram and following plus size sewists. A whole new world had opened up to me. People who looked like me, wearing clothes that actually fitted and looked great. Then about a year ago I decided I wanted to start sharing my own makes, and contributing to pattern hashtags so that other people with my body shape might find inspiration too. This was how Jess Terracotta (not my real surname) was born. You can now find me on Instagram under @jessterracotta.