I'm not pregnant anymore!!
I loved being pregnant, but I am definitely relieved to fit into clothes again.
I hardly made anything at all while I was pregnant, but now I have so many ideas of things I can't wait to make for myself!
There is a crucial functionality element when there is a newborn in tow: it has to be nursing friendly. And since my baby is a big eater (at two months old he eats 6 ounces every two hours!), nursing is very frequent and I need it to be easy and convenient.
I sketched a dress with bell sleeves months ago. I imagined it with a seam detail down center front and across the bodice above the bust. The other night I was looking through my sketchbook for some inspiration and I knew I could work with that center front seam to create something nursing friendly! I am also really excited about the bell sleeves. They are so pretty and feminine.
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| Inspiration for the sketch |
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| The sketch. I raised the deep v-neck and I ended up doing a circle-skirt peplum instead of a ruffled sleeve. |
I got to work making a pattern. I used my same old slopers, crossing my fingers that my body shape hasn't changed too drastically...
I consider this a rather simple dress. However, it probably took me about 2 hours to finish the pattern and make it exactly what I wanted. Pattern making is so challenging, but thats why I love it so much!
Once the pattern was finished, I dug through my bin of fabric hoping I had enough for a dress. I love being able to use what I have instead of buying new fabric. We live in such a small apartment and it feels so refreshing to use what I already have. I only have one big box of fabric, and I reminded my husband that, considering how much I like to sew, my fabric collection could be a lot worse!
I found in my collection a cream rayon crepe fabric that drapes so beautifully. After laying out the pattern pieces as best I could, it BARELY all fit on the fabric. It must have been two yards or so! But it worked. I also had just enough ivory silk fabric from my wedding dress materials to use for the lining.
So I got to work! I serged all the edges and assembled the pieces and.... it looked like a graduation gown. The silhouette, the neckline, the seam lines, and the fabric choice all screamed graduation gown! It was awful.
I have a hard time leaving projects unfinished (especially when it is something I'm making for myself), so I went to buy some cream lace trim. I found two different trims that I loved so I got both!
Fun story from my trip to Joann Fabric for trim: while I was there, I heard a woman's voice that sounded so distinct and familiar to me. I peaked around the next aisle and it was none other than the actress Dot Jones! I'd recognize her voice anywhere. At one point, I think she may have even whispered "Oh, how cute!" as she passed sleeping Peter in his stroller. It was the highlight of our day!
The finished product!
The center front has an invisible zipper that is flanked on both sides by lace trim. I Also placed trim at the elbow seam, sleeve edge, neckline, and front and back bodice seams.
I finished the dress just in time to wear it to church. It was my first time back to church since Peter was born, so it was kind of a big deal. The stark white was risky, but we didn't have any blowouts! Success!
