Pre-Pregnancy Sewing

Back when I made my robe I started really thinking about making more of my own clothing. In high school I made a few dresses (with varying degrees of success) and worked on costumes crew in order to do more sewing, but more recently I had only done small projects. Things for around the house and babies and I felt ready for some new sewing challenges.

Now that’s not to say that I wasn’t thinking about sewing clothing. Awhile back (probably during one of the many $1 pattern sales) I picked up McCall’s 4444, fabric, and all the notions I would need to complete the project.

I chose the top middle view, put the fabric in a bag, hung it in my stash closet and let it marinate. I haven’t quite figured out why I feel fabric and projects need to have some marinating time in the stash, but I rarely buy something and dive right into the project.

When I decided to do some more clothing, it made sense to start with something that I had all the materials for and would need minimal changes.

I lined the whole dress with white cotton batiste. There are a few fit issues in the bodice, but they don’t bother me enough to not wear it. I also used black bias tape for the hem, which I really like. I will definitely be doing that again. I also love the fabric! It’s a linen blend, gets a little wrinkly, but it was great to work with and I love the print.

Even though this was pre-pregnancy sewing, I’m actually about 11 weeks pregnant in these photos, just not showing yet…

After buying the vintage patterns, I decided to try my luck at finding some at thrift stores. I found a several and at $1 each you can enhance your pattern collection quickly!

During one of my shopping trips, I picked up Butterick See and Sew 3095. I needed to size this up and since it’s a pretty simple wrap skirt, I thought it would give me some more experience with resizing a pattern. In the same thrifting trip, I found a brand new red cotton twin sheet, so I used that for this skirt.

For the most part, I’m very happy with how this turned out. Wrap skirts can often be fiddly (always wondering about flashing) but with the closure in the back and plenty of wrap, this one really stays put. I love the pockets and the fact that it doesn’t tie. Making the button closure is a nice decorative and functional touch.

The cotton sheet is SO comfy to wear. Lightweight, but not see-thru. It does wrinkle really easily though (I had just pressed it before these photos), but a few wrinkles don’t bother me. I would definitely make this skirt again. Super easy, quick and a great staple.

I was able to wear both of these a few times before I no longer fit in them and they will get more use once I’m back to my old size.