Monday, August 27, 2012

Simple Blouse #3: Maternity

Another simple blouse and a big announcement: I’m pregnant with another little girl!
I’m due in January and this baby will be a little less than two years apart from Ellie.
That’s actually why I collapsed this summer and didn’t make or blog anything for months.
I’ve always thought I had pretty easy pregnancies in the past, but this little girl kicked my trash.
Many days I’d lay on the couch watching my kids destroy my house feeling like I’m in a coma--thinking I should care Ellie spilled a sippy cup of milk on the rug, and RJ is cutting the detail stitching off the pouf I made, but I really don’t care. 
I was kind of in survival mode for quite a while, the weirdest part was I had zero desire to be creative.
Usually I have way too many ideas and not enough time to make them, but this summer just walking in my sewing room made me want to throw up.  So I’m thrilled to be about half way to baby and feel a lot better.  Hopefully the worst is over with this pregnancy.baby
So I have a few maternity and baby projects brewing in the mean time. 
So first off…I am really weird about maternity clothes.
 The further along I get, the less I can stand anything on my belly. I can’t stand tight tops or the full panel pants with elastic up on the belly.  One trend I just don’t get are the maternity pants and pencil skirts that go up above the baby bump. But I’m not a fashion icon so maybe it’s something I can’t understand.

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I guess I’d prefer the muu-muu maternity years where you just wear a tent, which isn’t flattering, but comfortable.
Anyway, I think I prefer the least flattering clothing on the planet when I’m pregnant.
But I’m going to try to make a few pieces that I can stand to wear and hopefully will look a little more fashionable than a tent.
So on to the blouse:
dot1
I used the same pattern I made for french knot and the green crinkle, but made this time wider and longer to accommodate a baby bump.
The fabric is a silky polyester that’s light and flowy.
I added some shirring to the back to help give it some shape since there’s no darting or ties.
I have two rows from side seam to side seam, then another two rows above that end 4” before the side seams.
dot3
dot4
It obviously won’t last the whole pregnancy, but it’s comfortable and easy to wear…and easy to sew. 
After it was cut out it took 15-20 minutes to finish.dot5
More fall clothing to come this week and I have a few tutorials mixed in there too, so I feel like I’m really back to blogging again and am really excited to be sewing/ creating again after an blur of an awful summer!
Bring on fall!dot2

47 comments:

  1. Congratulations on your pregnancy. Sorry to hear its been so rough for you. That shirt looks awesome though, I'm going to definitely try to make one of those.

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  2. Congrats! Call me shocked, because that belly was not there in that blue shirt you posted the other day. You sneaky sewist!

    Anyhow, you look great. I hope the rest of the pregnancy goes smoothly. And perhaps you can find a way to make a more fashionable tent and help to bring that look back.


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  3. You look beautiful. The polkadots are both playful and stylish!

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  4. VERY cute top! Love the shirring in the back. It gives you more shape--than say--a tent! Congratulations on that new little one!

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  5. looks awesome! I'm 37 weeks this week - so I won't be making one for myself this late in the game - but man I wish I had thought of a pattern like this a couple months ago!

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  6. Congratulations! Your top is adorable. Anything you make is infinitely cuter than whatever Jessica Simpson is squeezed into up there!

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  7. Congratulations! I think your top is very nice and I agree, it is much more flattering...I am glad you are feeling better.

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  8. Oooh, I LOVE this top! The red fabric is absolutely gorgeous. And you look beautiful! Way to hide your exhaustion. ;-)

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  9. Congrats! I'm so glad you are feeling better. I'm still getting sick, but I only have 6 weeks to go. I can't wait to be myself again. I love your top, I would totally love to have that in my maternity wardrobe.

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  10. You look adorable! That shirt is also adorable. Thanks for sharing your fun news. And for sharing a fun small alteration on a basic pattern.

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  11. Congratulations! I am so happy for you but sorry that you had such a rough go at it. Pregnancy is no fun at times, that's for sure! But another cute little girl to dote on will make it all worth it!

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  12. Congrats! So glad you are feeling better!

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  13. Congratulations! That's so exciting. You look beautiful in that blouse!

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  14. ya for girls! congrats. happy that you are over the worst of it. I hate the beginning of pregnancy. I think the blouse is supper cute! and I love the scarves.

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  15. so happy for you - my two girls are 18 months apart and now at 39 and 40 are the best of friends. They have an older brother as well - makes what I believe to be the perfect family. When the youngest was expecting hers, I said it would be two girls and a boy (she had triplets) and that is exactly what she had - they are a year old now and very special kiddos. You have much to look forward to - enjoy.

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  16. Many congrats and prayers to your growing family1! I'm sorry it has been so rough, but that is the sign of a healthy baby (so at least there is a bright side!)

    I was wondering why you have been posting so infrequently, and that is quite a wonderful reason!

    I like that you mention you are in survival mode. It makes me feel more normal when I do the same thing :)

    Ok, and final random thought: you are going to have to make your newest little one a dino tail! I made them for my nieces and have yet to make one for my daughter. But, they loooove them! They like to have dinosaur parades! I even made some for their dolls :)

    Congrats again!
    Jenna
    callherhappy.com

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  17. Congratulations!! Very cute top...Love the shirring in the back...SO much better than the terrible ties that are on most maternity tops..

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  18. Congratulations on your baby! I'll admit, I was wondering, with your pinterest boards lately. :) So exciting though, and having multiple girls in a row has been a lot of fun for me, I'm sure you'll love it, too. Also, fun to be pregnant at the same time as Lynette--I was pregnant with a few of my SIL's last time, and it was so nice to be in good company when I felt so lousy.

    I love the top--with 9 weeks left myself, I may just be attempting to whip one of those out. I'm so sick of everything in my wardrobe these days.

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  19. Congrats! and cute top. I may have to try to make one. I am also due in January and totally had my trash kicked all summer. We sent most of the summer in survival mode so now I am trying to get the house clean again and then get to many many projects that have been left un-done.

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  20. congrats!!!! so excited for you and your family!

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  21. Congrats! Such exciting news. I recently had our 4th baby and I felt the same way in those early months of pregnancy . . . no desire to sew or do ANYTHING! SO glad when my desire to create came back. Blessings on your pregnancy.

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  22. Congratulations ! :)
    i love that blouse!

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  23. Congratulations! I'm excited for you. =)
    Cute blouse too... and it does look very comfortable. =)

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  24. CONGRATS ON BABY #3
    The top is great and will be usable after delivery for those first few days while things are going back together. You certainly do not look like your description of the pregnancy illness so far. I should look so good and not be pg. I am sure this little one will be as charming as the first two. Prayers for you to feel better soon.

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  25. You look great! Jessica Simpson does not. Congratulations!

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  26. Felicitaciones!!! Sigo tu blog desde Chile.
    Linda familia!!

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  27. Congratulations on the pregnancy and welcome back! :) You look fabulous. I hope the second half of the pregnancy is a bit easier for you. All the best :)

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  28. Oh YAYAYAYAY!! Congrats!
    You look fabulous.
    I love the shirt on your oh so cute belly!
    I hope the second half goes waaaaay smoother for you.
    ~Michelle

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  29. Congratulations! Omigosh that photo of Jessica Simpson (and then Homer Simpson) totally had me cracking up. "I don't wanna look like a freak...I'll just go with a muu muu!" Ha! You look fantastic, though. Love the top!

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  30. Congratulations! I love those dresses. A pregnant woman will look sexy on them.


    Find out more:Gynecologist Tucson AZ

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  31. Congratulations!! You look fabulous and that shirt is adorable.

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  32. CONGRATS! Love the red polka dots. Hope you get to feeling better!

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  33. Congratulations Jessica. You look amazing, glad to hear you're feeling better now. I did wonder after spotting a few of your recent pins. Very exciting for Ellie to have a sister so close in age.

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  34. Hey congratulations! How exciting for you all. Glad you're feeling better. I had morning sickness for the full nine months with all four of mine and I wouldn't wish that on anyone!

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  35. Congrats! U are absolutely glowing! Think of all the matching outfits u can make new baby and Ellie. With blessings from sunny South Africa

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  36. Congratulations! I am so excited for you!! You look great!

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  37. Congrats Jess! So happy for you, and I really hope that the worst is over. Cute shirt, if ever I am in need of something flowy and comfortable to wear this looks like the perfect thing :)

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  38. Gorgeous girl, congratulations to you and Rhett. What a wonderful reason to be a couch potato. :) I remember doing the same thing with my first daughter. I had zero energy and watched my son destroy the house and couldn't have cared less. It was a tough pregnancy, but so worth it. Happy wishes your way as you find your new groove.

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  39. Congratulations! And I think that blouse is very flattering on you! I can't stand maternity clothes that tie in your mid back. I think it's so uncomfortable to have that knot on your back whenever you sit down with your back on the chair.

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  40. So cute! I am back off fb, want to stay in touch. Not sure I have your email...thought I had your number but I don't. Anyways, cwsdavis@gmail is mine.

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  41. That top is so cute! Congrats on your great news. I'm just starting the second trimester with #3 and it has been so much worse than the others, I'm glad it's not just me! Can't wait to see more of your projects and wishing you the best of luck with your family!

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  42. congrats! Love the last picture of the post. brought a smile to my day. That's kinda how I felt for most of pregnancy's. Hope things continue to go well for you.

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  43. Congrats!!!! :) You look fabulous! Love the blouse. :)

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