So far in Project Bump, I've been sewing and wearing a lot of ruched, fitted clothing that is appropriate for work. But I thought it might be wise to add some more casual pieces and additional silhouettes so I have something to wear on weekends and once I'm on maternity leave.
One of the first things I mentioned for my Bump wardrobe, is that I've been looking outside of maternity patterns for interesting things to sew.
So, this is V1179, an out-of-print DKNY pattern. It has a pleated neckline with a cowl collar and, I think, fits the bill for maternity without being "maternity".
I picked the pattern because the neck pleating gives it lots of volume through the loose middle while creating shape through the bust. I did not make any fitting changes whatsoever. Talk about easy to sew!
The fabric is a crazy multi-animal print ITY knit from MetroTextiles. I bought it on an impulse (how easily that happens at Metro!) and by the time I got it home I was very not sure what I would do with it. But I think this was just the right pattern and, if you can't tell, I'm really liking throwing caution to the wind and embracing horizontal stripes/prints!
A minor thing I'm not crazy about is that the cowl doesn't fully cover itself - you can see where it meets the neck pleating. At first I thought I had made some kind of mistake with sewing this part since I just glanced at the directions, but it looks like that on the Vogue website as well, so apparently that is just how it is.
To do again, I'd make this dress a bit longer and give myself just a little extra room in the hip/thigh area. As is, it's a bit shorter than my hemline comfort zone - really, this is more tunic length than dress on me, particularly when sitting. So, I probably won't wear this until it's a little bit cooler and I can pair it with dark tights or leggings. Then I will wear it plenty!
Again, a point I made with my striped skirt - how hard is it to do just a little bit of print matching at the side seams? Not all that hard, but worth the effort. Otherwise, I'd have ended up with something like this.
I think this will be fun to wear when I don't feel like flaunting my belly and when I am transitioning back out of maternity wear. It's definitely not my norm - both the print and the style are outside the box for me - but that's kind of what excites me about it. Just slipping it on feels fun!
One of the first things I mentioned for my Bump wardrobe, is that I've been looking outside of maternity patterns for interesting things to sew.
 |
| From the front: not looking so pregnant |
So, this is V1179, an out-of-print DKNY pattern. It has a pleated neckline with a cowl collar and, I think, fits the bill for maternity without being "maternity".
I picked the pattern because the neck pleating gives it lots of volume through the loose middle while creating shape through the bust. I did not make any fitting changes whatsoever. Talk about easy to sew!
The fabric is a crazy multi-animal print ITY knit from MetroTextiles. I bought it on an impulse (how easily that happens at Metro!) and by the time I got it home I was very not sure what I would do with it. But I think this was just the right pattern and, if you can't tell, I'm really liking throwing caution to the wind and embracing horizontal stripes/prints!
 |
| Cowl and pleating |
A minor thing I'm not crazy about is that the cowl doesn't fully cover itself - you can see where it meets the neck pleating. At first I thought I had made some kind of mistake with sewing this part since I just glanced at the directions, but it looks like that on the Vogue website as well, so apparently that is just how it is.
To do again, I'd make this dress a bit longer and give myself just a little extra room in the hip/thigh area. As is, it's a bit shorter than my hemline comfort zone - really, this is more tunic length than dress on me, particularly when sitting. So, I probably won't wear this until it's a little bit cooler and I can pair it with dark tights or leggings. Then I will wear it plenty!
 |
| From the side: there's a bit of a bump |
I think this will be fun to wear when I don't feel like flaunting my belly and when I am transitioning back out of maternity wear. It's definitely not my norm - both the print and the style are outside the box for me - but that's kind of what excites me about it. Just slipping it on feels fun!
29 comments:
OH MY GAH, this is FABULOUS! The print + pattern combo is fantastic! Love love love love love it!!! It's fun to see how quickly you're sewing these days- I'm enjoying seeing lots of posts from you!
OK, I've made this 3 times and I wear it constantly, all summer, in a crazy bright floral - and everyone loves it. LOVES. I don't even bother with a belt anymore. I don't care if I look pregnant cuz when I need to have NOTHING touching my stomach, there is no better item of clothing. I do agree that the construction is suboptimal (and I've had challenges with the rayon jersey I've used and the pleating and hems). Mind you, when I made mine, I knew much less about stabilizing knits, so I sense it would be easier to give it another go. All I can say is, best dress evah.
Would you believe I have 3 dresses that are finished and just not blogged yet? Phin actually commented on my crazy output. Seriously, not sewing anything with a zipper and only sewing stretchy things really speeds things up!
It's a terrific style! I can see how it would look awesome on you (seriously, I don't even look very prego in it).
I LOVE this on you! The colors, print, style, all of it, I'm betting this will be worn *often*. And ugh to that link on the no-print-matching. That just looks wrong. (And maybe there was even a meeting about this, wherein someone decided to do it because it would cost like half the amount of actually lining up the print, so therefore they would just tell us what "fashion" is supposed to look like??)
something to consider as you make some of these transition pieces is ease in nursing (if you plan to nurse!). totally wonderful dress but could you nurse in it?
This looks like another win for the Project Bump wardrobe! It will look awesome with leggings too.
that collar is so flattering! and the whole thing looks chic and comfy, two mommy must-haves.
I couldn't nurse in it, but figure that I'll need clothing and it will probably be nice to have a few things that don't make me feel mommy-ish. Most of what I'm sewing for the transitional wardrobe is actually wrap-front, surplice and other more nursing-friendly styles. So yes, well spotted, but stay tuned...
Thanks! Yeah, in my mind the way that meeting went down was someone saying "well, pregnant women don't really care about how they look and just want cheap things"... WRONG!!!
;-)
Yeah, comfy takes the cake these days!
That print is so swank! You are definitely the most stylish mom to be I've ever met.
Oooh, I can picture it with tights and a little sweater in the winter...you will brighten up a dreary day in this.
So nice dress! You look lovely in it!
It's great pattern! Love your crazy print. Both versions that I made required the additional stabilization of elastic from shoulder to shoulder through the cowl because the weight of the pleats pulled it waaaaay down. My DD1 still wears the first version. It's a super easy dress, and a great additional to your stylish bump wardrobe!
Pretty dress and wish I had snazzy dresses during my pregnancy.
I love how this dress works with the bump! Bit of a bummer about the cowl though... I would have thought it to at least cover it's own seam line, hehe. No matter!
Exactly! Once I attached the cowl for a try on, I thought "now what did I do wrong here", but that's actually just how it is. I like the overall dress anyway.
That's a good tip. I stabilized the shoulders with clear elastic in the seams, but didn't stabilize the neck. I haven't noticed any pulling, but I also haven't worn it for a prolonged amount of time - I'll see what happens this weekend!
You look fantabulous preggers! Great find from our buddy, Kashi!
You should definitely make another 2 or 3 of these! You will find at the end that this type of dress will be extra comfortable as well as easy to wear after you have the baby! Oh and I love this on you!
Oh yeah good point because I stabilized my neckline when I made this dress too...and I wore it this summer and it still works!
I've got this pattern. I might just make up a non-pregnant version this summer.
It really is a fun pattern and easy to wear!
Thanks! Yes, I need more things like this that I can just throw on with leggins and (I hope) look and feel put together, but not fussy.
he he he Thanks, Mimi!
In costuming class, we learned how to cover a protruding belly (as for a middle-aged potbelly, or a giant beer belly, or a pregnant belly). When taking measurements, the actor holds a yardstick against their belly, one end on the floor. Make sure the yardstick is level vertically! Measure around the actor's body AND the yardstick for waist and hip measurements. Costumers take separate side-to-side measurements from the back and from the front, so the wider front measurement is easy to calculate. Remember that you'll need to add additional length as well as width to your dress fronts, to accommodate Baby Raspberry, if/when you get really big. Some women do protrude really far out front, some do not -- and you may have a different pregnant shape with each baby.
Great dress, really! Funky future Mom!
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