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.
To Remove The Bags:
- 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.) - Skip “Side Ruffle”(5) , and “Side Band” (6) when cutting out pattern.
- Skip steps #1 through 8 in instructions.
- 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.
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!
Black Tunic (McCall’s 6347) * Belt (Macy’s)
bracelet (thrifted) * Jeggings (Old Navy, Maternified by Me!)
p.s. It’s a boy.
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.
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. 😉
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
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…
meh. Buy the costume and do some selfish sewing!!! That’s what I always say. 🙂
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! 🙂
I wuv you too, Karen.
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!!!!!
So cute!!! Looks fantastic!
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! =)
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.
The good news is your hair looks fantastic!
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.