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You are here: Home / Clothing / SHMWC PROJECT #2: Maternity Tunic/Dress (McCall’s 6347)

SHMWC PROJECT #2: Maternity Tunic/Dress (McCall’s 6347)

October 19, 2012 by Jodi 14 Comments

I have been getting all antsy and grumpy from sewing deprivation.The sewing room was not set up yet, but I decided to throw practicality to the wind and start taking over the rest of the house. I know! A whole room to myself and I was still ironing in the kitchen and dropping pins all over the living room. We do what we have got to do.

Besides, I am RUNNING OUT OF TIME to sew maternity clothes. Seriously, how am I already 20 weeks?

Unfortunately, the chosen project left me feeling deflated. McCall’s 6347 was easy enough to sew, but it looked a bit too 80’s / Giant Tent / And Seriously How Has My Butt Gotten So Big. Meh.  

It may look cute in this picture, but that is just Andy’s Photo Skillz.
Usually it looks like this…

ack!

It’s a major bummer when your chosen relaxation project leaves you feeling mildly defeated. That aside, I was pretty proud of myself for figuring out how to remove Ye Old Funky Saddlebags from the pattern design.


(source)

To Remove The Bags:

  1. Lengthen “Side Front” ( piece 4) by 1″ to match length of Front and Back.
    (In the future, I would swoop the hem curve down by about an inch more in the middle of the Side Front. It looked like the hem was a bit too short there, but that might be the size of my hips coming in to play.)
  2. Skip “Side Ruffle”(5) , and “Side Band” (6) when cutting out pattern.
  3. Skip steps #1 through 8 in instructions.
Project Details:
  • Pattern: McCall’s 6347 – View B
  • Size: Cut a straight size M (based on bust measurements), with above adjustments to Side Panel
  • Fabric: Black interlock from Joann’s
  • One of these days, I’m going to have to show you my new found favorite way every of hemming knits. It involved Wondertape and basting and no pins. So good.
I made the dress/top, felt grumpy about it, complained about it to anyone who cared (and some who didn’t), and then I left it alone for a few days…..

 Never scrap a project right away, leave it aside for a few days so you can give it a look with fresh eyes.

Having been bolstered by all of your wonderful suggestions and encouragement in the meantime, I played around with the styling of the top until it was something I was moderately happy with.

Enter THE BELT! Thank you, Ain’t No Mom Jeans for opening my eyes to the wonders of Belt-As-Maternity-Wear. It did wonders for defining my Barely There Upper Waist.

It’s still a little too snug in the backside, but at least it’s passable. With all that front fabric. this will be AMAZING for coverage at the end of pregnancy.

Things to Change in a Future Remake (if ever there is one):

  • Let out the dress in the hips, at least in the back piece.
  • Use a more drapey-but-still-stable material, maybe more poly than cotton? No more riding up!
 necklace (me!) * blue tee (Motherhood)
Black Tunic (McCall’s 6347) * Belt (Macy’s)
bracelet (thrifted) * Jeggings (Old Navy, Maternified by Me!)
Super Sexy Medical Stockings (The Local Pharmacy) * Flats (Payless) 

p.s. It’s a boy.

See more maternity projects here.

Filed Under: Clothing, Maternity, Women's Clothing Tagged With: dress, fashion, maternity, mccalls, Semi Handmade Maternity Wardrobe Challenge, sewing, SHMWC, SWAP, top, tunic, wardrobe

Previous Post: « Mother-Son Crafting: Homemade Leather Sword Sheath
Next Post: SHMWC PROJECT #3: Maxi Skirt Fail »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mason Burrell says

    October 19, 2012 at 7:05 am

    I admire the creativity that oozes out of pregnant mothers out there. May be it has something to do with the fact they have more time in their hands and simply hate putting a hole on the pocket just because they need a whole new wardrobe that they most probably cannot use after five months or so. Rule number one is to never indulge on many maternity clothes. Choose the very basics and you can go from there. Just like a whole lot of other moms, I’m sure you can do something with more clothes inside your closet.

    Reply
    • Jodi B says

      October 19, 2012 at 3:56 pm

      I’m not sure if I agree with “more time on their hands”. Every person has 24 hours a day and gets to choose how they spend it. I don’t sew because I’m bored at home. I sew because it makes me happy, it brings relaxation, and now it is also a (small) source of income. I eek out my time at the machine and I relish every moment of it.

      That being said. Yes, keep maternity-only wear purchases to a minimum. Unless, of course, you are always pregnant like me. Then, I say go for it. 😉

      Reply
  2. jen says

    October 19, 2012 at 7:07 am

    looks cute in the end! and I always felt like I had a giant maternity ass too 🙂 you don’t – but I know the feeling

    Reply
  3. Karianna says

    October 19, 2012 at 8:46 am

    It’s really cute! You make me want to sew a few more tunics… with 4 weeks to go. But they can be worn postpartum! I still have to make DD2’s flippin’ Halloween costume…

    Reply
    • Jodi says

      October 19, 2012 at 8:56 am

      meh. Buy the costume and do some selfish sewing!!! That’s what I always say. 🙂

      Reply
  4. Karen says

    October 19, 2012 at 8:50 am

    I fall in love with you every time I read your blog! You are adorable,and I’m so glad you didn’t scrap the project. Well done, even if it wasn’t your favorite. I need to get behind the belt for my own figure issues!! Thank you for the honesty and inspiration, as always! 🙂

    Reply
    • Jodi says

      October 19, 2012 at 8:56 am

      I wuv you too, Karen.

      Reply
  5. Kristina @nerdysewist says

    October 19, 2012 at 9:54 am

    Omg omg omg!!! I think you look adorbs in this tunic, first and foremost, but it’s a BOY!!!! I’m so happy for you guys. You are simply glowing. Wish I could give you a BIG hug!!!!!

    Reply
  6. MaLora says

    October 19, 2012 at 10:00 am

    So cute!!! Looks fantastic!

    Reply
  7. Charity says

    October 19, 2012 at 12:24 pm

    You are so cute! And your tunic looks really cute belted. =) I can’t wear that kind of tunic at all, because then I just look fat instead of pregnant, but you make it look great.
    Congratulations on a baby boy! =)

    Reply
    • Jodi B says

      October 19, 2012 at 3:58 pm

      Maybe you should try a belt. 🙂 But perhaps it is a length issue? It’s got to fall to the right spot. I think this was a pretty good length for me. Shorter or longer would have been waaaaaaayyyy… frumpy.

      Reply
  8. Suzanne says

    October 20, 2012 at 10:31 am

    The good news is your hair looks fantastic!

    Reply
  9. Sarah Jane says

    December 18, 2012 at 5:01 pm

    SO CUTE!!!!!!!!!! I see what you mean about it looking like a tent without the belt, but with the belt, it looks AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!! I must remember that if I sew any outfits next time I’m pregnant.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. SHMWC PROJECT #3: Maxi Skirt Fail - Sew Fearless says:
    October 24, 2012 at 3:39 pm

    […] I was letting the frustrating tunic top cool off, I decided to tackle what I thought would be an easy-peasy project – the over-bump […]

    Reply

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Jodi - Sewing Advocate - Mother of 7 - Lover of Swings and Deadlifts - Catholic

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