Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Groovy Mama 3.0

Alrighty, friends.  This is the last of the maternity clothes around these parts, I swear.  I realize it was probably a little foolish to make two maternity dresses so close to the end of my pregnancy.  But I don't regret it.  I got a rush from being able to have my choice of two different dresses to wear to the baby showers I've had recently.   I get what some of you were saying about sewing things that make you feel good at this stage in pregnancy.  True.  So true.  And on a sidenote to any irl friends or family who read my blog: Thank you so much for the awesome baby showers you've put together and traveled long hours to attend for J and I.  We feel so loved and blessed.

Look!  The sun is out!  Come on spring...

I actually made this dress several weeks ago.  Before the wrap dress.  Or I should say I started it several weeks ago.  It's from a vintage Butterick maternity pattern.  I couldn't find a year anywhere on the pattern, but with that collar I'd say it was the early 70's.  I obviously didn't sew it up exactly as drafted.  I really liked the inset yoke, placket and gathering over the top of the belly.  I also liked that the pattern didn't call for jersey.  Everything I've made for maternity wear has been out of jersey.  I was craving using a drapey woven for something.  The recommended fabrics listed several different wovens and also double knit.  Double knit really doesn't behave like a stretchy knit, does it? 


I knew it was a risky make when I started out.  I figured it would be fantastic or be a giant, dated muumuu with the print I chose.   I had a weird burst of energy a few weekends ago and I made a muslin.  I managed the corners of the inset yoke just fine, but struggled with the bottom of the placket.  I decided life was too short and extended the placket to the end of the yoke.  Solved that issue and it was way easier to sew.  I tried out several different buttons and didn't like the look of any of them.  I left the placket without buttons.  It's tacked shut about halfway down.


I was very happy with the fit other than taking in the back princess seams quite a bit.  I predict that a swayback alteration will be a common one in my future now.  So I went ahead and cut out my fashion fabric.  I used a 100% percent polyester crepe that I found on the bargain table at my local fabric store.  Now before you go and judge me, answer me this:  If you can't use 100% polyester for a groovy 70's sewing pattern, when can you use polyester?   I really liked the print.  Every pattern piece is underlined with a super soft navy rayon challis (which you can see on the placket) so the poly never touches my skin anyway.  I think the combination worked well for this dress.  I actually sat down and basted my fashion fabric to the underlining by hand in the same weekend.  Like I said before, it was a weird burst of productiveness.


I sewed up the dress right away but I was stumped about the sleeves and collar.  The dress then sat for a while until I finished it right before one of my baby showers.  I knew I didn't want the giant 70's collar.  Even the collar stand piece looked large and exaggerated.  Instead, I cut a piece of bias and bound the neck edge.  I like the way the placket looks partially open.   The bound edge is simple and wasn't fussy.   I also knew the sleeves would be too slim for my liking.  I did a major slash and spread, cut them off at elbow length and then put in some elastic at the sleeve hem.   The actual dress hem is pretty bad.  I turned it up twice and machine stitched.  What is the proper way to hem something that has been underlined?  It was a little stressful getting an even edge.  I used my serger to finish all the seams inside.  Love that machine.


This photo cracks me up.  It's a classic sewing blogger pose-- touch hair and look down at feet.  Little do you know that I can't actually see my feet :)

Sewing has been a godsend during my pregnancy.  I'm so happy I was able to make somewhat stylish things to wear without spending an arm and a leg.  This was a situation where I was so thankful I can sew.  Click here if you'd like to scroll back through all my maternity wear posts.


And here is the 36 week belly from all angles.  These photos are from this past weekend.  I am only a little over three weeks away from my due date at this point.  I can't believe it.  I am so incredibly excited about what's to come yet so anxious about how much there is left to do.  Thank you all for all the well wishes and good vibes during my pregnancy.  I really appreciate all the support, advice and commiseration!  I'll probably be pretty quiet around here for a while, but I'll have some news at some point I'm sure ;)

36 comments:

  1. I love the dress and that you took our advice! Two new dresses is not really going overboard and you're going to have those baby shower pics for the rest of your life...so it's nice that you look so pretty in them.

    Can't wait to meet your new baby girl!

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  2. Another groovy dress! Wear it as much as you can in the next few weeks!

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  3. Well, you've outdone yourself. That is definitely my favourite of your maternity outfits. It's flattering, an awesome print, you look cool and relaxed and I really liked your design choices during construction. It's perfect! Re hemming something underlined, I have no idea though maybe a walking foot would have helped make the process easier. That's a lot of fabric folded up with a twice turned over hem, isn't it? I'm so glad for you and hope everything goes well. Can't wait to see you on the other side!

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    1. I need a walking foot! I've really got to get one.

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  4. Your dress looks fantastic! The fabric choices and the fit are great, and it suits you perfectly. Good luck during the home stretch!

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  5. Love this dress! I think it's my favourite of all your maternity clothes. Really happy looking but the navy placket adds a touch of sophistication. I am a bit of a devotee of 70's patterns, partly due to the stylistic influence of my Mum and partly because they are so cheap in my local charity shop. I have a pattern for a tunic I have been wanting to make but like you don't want the 70's style collar. You have come up with the perfect solution. Would you mind if I copied? I will credit you! And very best wishes for your last few weeks!

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    1. Oh my goodness, I'm sure I'm not the only person who bound a neckline edge before! Absolutely do the same. I liked the look and thought it was an easy solution. I should say that I cut my bias a little bit wider to make the edge more substantial. I think I cut a strip about two inches. Thanks so much!

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  6. Love the fabric! You look fantastic. Not long left now. How exciting!!!

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  7. Very cool. The urge to hug you is strong but I'm worried that a baby might pop out if I do that (and hover around the room in its nappy and frilly hat-ya I watched a lot of vintage cartoons lately..) so I'll wait until that happens on its own and leave it for now..

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  8. Homestretch! Hang in there. Can't wait for the good news!

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  9. you deserve these awesome dresses, i think it's the ultimate that you had two handmade choices for parties to celebrate you & bebe!!

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  10. That dress is awesome lady! I love the fabric! Not long to go now! x

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  11. This is so pretty! It's inspiration even for us not-pregnant ladies; I'd love something similar for spring :) Hope you're still feeling great!

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  12. Yay - love this one! So excited for you as you head into the last few weeks!

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  13. I love how you adapted the pattern by using bias tape instead of the collar and just extended the placket down. And the navy is a great way to break up the floral print. very cute! any scraps left to make adorable floral baby stuff? ;)

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  14. Such a cute dress, it is amazing that at particular angles it does not even look maternity, at 36 weeks! The navy placket and binding are just right with your excellent crazy floral. Some people make a fancy cocktail dress they only wear once, so why is there any question at all about 2 comfy dresses that you wear many times over several weeks - and possibly some pregnant girlfriend might borrow them later on? Dressing well when you are pregnant is no crime, and sewing those clothes from thrifted fabric is very clever. When else would you get to try all those cool maternity patterns ;)

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  15. really like the print on the fabric! for hemming i would probably attach hem tape to cover the raw edge then turn the hem up once and stitch to keep it from being bulky.

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  16. I love the print and you look great! No worries, you´ll see your feet soon again! :D Good luck at the end, I know it´s not easy! But also, so exciting!

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  17. i love the print! and the pink! i wish i'd sewn up maternity clothes for myself... enjoy your last few weeks! :) -erin

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  18. This is gorgeous! I love it! What a happy print! I love the way that you dealt with the neckline-- it looks great!

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  19. This is a great dress! You look fantastic!

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  20. Beautiful. A maternity collection you should be proud of! Best of luck with everything :)

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  21. So gorgeous. That colour really pops. Looks groovy too paired with the boots and tights. So close now...so exciting!

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  22. This dress is so happy and beautiful - totally worth it! Good luck with everything coming up :)

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  23. It's such a pretty dress, it was definitely worth it to make it! I love the print, so cheery!

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  24. What a welcome splash of sunshine! I love that you gave a vintage pattern some maternity rehab :)

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  25. That is an adorable dress and you look stunning wearing it! Enjoy it. g

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  26. This is so adorable! I love that groovy print--perfect choice for the style.

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  27. You're right about being able to sew while pregnant - the awesome things you've made are things you couldn't even buy in a store. And their *you*, which is elusive too, since it's unlikely to be the current trend or color of the year, or whatever.

    Anyway, this is another springy, cheery dress. I love, love 70s styles. Enjoy your last couple of weeks!

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  28. Oh it looks amazing!!! Great work lady. I'll take on board what you wrote about later-maternity sewing and doing stuff that makes you feel good. All the best for the birth xxx

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  29. Super late to the comment party but it looks awesome—love that print—and you look so fabulous... I guess I've been away from the sewing blogosphere so long I had no idea so many fabulous sewists were pregnant!

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  30. Love how colorful this outfit is. I hope you and baby are doing well.

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  31. you look great! and so colorful! what's nice about this dress is you can probably wear it post-pregnancy, too!

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  32. Really beautiful combination of print and solid - plus I love the 'styling'! Great boots!

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