Rivers and Rhodes: maternity sewing

After a long drought, I finally felt inspired to sew for myself again. I have started three other maternity dresses that were not going to look as I imagined so I abandoned them all and gave up for a while. Even though I had not yet worn the other shirt I made from this pattern I knew I liked it enough to give it a second go around. I added piping to the collar to help break up the crazy pattern of the fabric and I love the result! I was sincerely shocked by how well my seams lined up keeping the diagonal pattern. The shoulders are less broad this time and I added an inch to the length to accommodate this ever swelling belly. I'm very happy with how it turned out and definitely happy to add a new wearable top to my closet. Especially when considering it cost me less than $10 to make!

I recently pulled out my maternity clothes and what once seemed so cute and trendy now seems dated and tired. I just don't think there is much there I can really wear again. You know at the end, I was so desperate I was wearing a pink cotton t shirt with a stain right on the front. Can you believe I saved that shirt? What in my mind made me think I would want to wear that again for another pregnancy? It's baffling.

Thus a new obsession has been born. Vintage maternity patterns on Etsy. I'll be ten weeks on Saturday and I have already purchased three patterns. I just can't help myself. Everyday there are new and cute ones that make me think - YEAH! That will make these coming months of awkward body more exciting. They range in price from $6 - $12 so I know ultimately it is cheaper than buying maternity clothes and I get to have more fun with fabric choice. I won't mess with making maternity pants - just start looking at some of those vintage patterns for those and you will immediately begin feeling bad for your grandmother. Pretty hilarious. So I have been buying patterns for tops and dresses that I like. I started to make one and abandoned it before the zipper even went in because the stripes were never going to line up. Then I started another and was to the point of finishing the cuff on the sleeves (SO CLOSE) when my sewing machine broke. The top sat unfinished in my sewing room for nearly two weeks until today when I picked up my repaired machine!

Cutting to the chase, I know I am going to wear this shirt but the whole time I was finishing it I couldn't stop thinking "You can't win them all." The fit is not the best but I don't have a real belly yet so it will probably improve. The shoulders are too broad but I can fix that the next time I make the shirt. I LOVE the Peter Pan collar and am already dreaming of making the next one with a sequined collar and heavy Georgette fabric. The fabric combination is a little clownish but I like it. Are you embarrassed for me that I made a shirt that matches the same one I made for Rivers? You probably should be. Am I? No. I have found I purposely try to match her quite often. My mom did it for me and I shall return the favor. Overall: A (maternity clothing is on a reduced scale. In other words this top would probably earn a C+ on the regular clothing scale)