I finally followed through on my monthly goal of making some maternity clothes by finishing this top (made using this pattern) last night. This is actually the shirt I had started when I wrote my goals post – it only took me 20 days to sew up the shirt I cut out…
Overall, I like the pattern. I do feel like it fits a little big – even though I was between two sizes and chose the smaller of the two to sew up. So if I use the same pattern again I’ll be making a smaller size. I think I’ll also bring the neckline in a little – toddlers plus a loose, knit kimono top equals sleeves getting yanked off your shoulders very easily. This is by far the most comfortable maternity top I’ve ever worn, thanks to the cut as well as the super-soft knit fabric I made it out of.
I got the pattern at JoAnn’s during one of their 99 cents for Simplicity pattern sales. If you didn’t already know, JoAnn’s usually has sales where they’ll sell patterns for 99 cents, one or two brands at a time. I’ve never seen Vogue or Burda patterns that cheap, but if you’re willing to go with the less-fancy brands it’s a great deal.
After watching me drool over sergers for the past decade or so, Mike bought me this one as a combined Mother’s Day (May)/Anniversary(June)/Birthday (July)/Baby (hopefully July but, given my track record, more likely August) present. It arrived last week, but thanks to some rather unfortunate home-falling-apart incidents, I didn’t get to play with it until last night when I used it to sew up this shirt. I’m completely in love with my serger – I can finally sew easy hems on knits, and the side seams look so nice and neat with minimal effort! Now to figure out a way to keep my anything-with-a-motor-obsessed 17-month-old away from the sewing machines…
MaryAnne is a craft loving educator, musician, photographer, and writer who lives in Silicon Valley with her husband Mike and their four children.
@LiEr – I’m definitely with you on unattractive maternity biceps, now why does that happen?!
@Kelley – Thanks for passing on my blog!
It looks beautiful! Great job! :)
I’ve bookmarked the pattern for inspiration when I’m pregnant again!
Oh, by the way, I sent your blog site out to several of my friends who are looking for fun things to do with their kids. You may be getting more traffic now.
Hey, you look great! The top is so pretty, and you look wonderful!
I know what you mean about the serger. I went for 10 long years without one, trying to sew all my seams with French seams so the insides of my clothes would look nice. I finally was able to buy a used one off Craigslist last year, and it’s like I’ve died and gone to Heaven. I LOVE it! Sounds like you are loving yours, too.
Good luck on keeping it out of the reach of children. I threatened mine with their lives, but they’re a little older than yours. It mostly worked, but since my machines were out for about a month, their curiosity occasionally got the better of them. :)
So many good things in this post! First, that maternity top looks very nice – I like that it has sleeves, for one! Maybe they were just mine, but maternity biceps are not pretty. I’d buy this top in a store if they were selling it! Then the serger- congratulations! It’s funny how we live contentedly for years and years just using our zigzag stitch on our regular machines and then we get a serger and wham- it’s hard to imagine life without one. Enjoy yours!
What a great photo, and you look fabulous! I’ve found the serger to be easier/quicker in lots of ways too. Love the new top, and now I’m wishing I had made more of my own maternity clothes too!
That’s super cute. I need some maternity tops, and I have a serger but haven’t learned how to use it (I can thread it). Looks like a decent project to start with!
The shirt looks great! I love sergers – I got to use one when I took a sewing class in college, which is also the last time I touched a sewing machine. It’s too bad this is not one of my talents because I will be needing some cute maternity tops in a few months – I totally agree they are for vanity’s sake, but when you feel huge that can really mean a lot. :)
@Beth – Sewing knits with a serger is a whole new world, infinitely easier than on a traditional machine!
@Writer Lady – good point on the sizing…
@Katherine – t-shirts and pajama pants make very sensible and comfy maternity clothes. Tops like this are for vanity’s sake only…
Cute! I still think I’m going to be lazy though and stick with just wearing t-shirts through maternity. And maybe make some more pajama pants for bottoms… style!
wow! You did a great job!!! Very inspiring.
Nicely done. Looks so comfy. And what a cute photo!
Wow, enjoy the serger! One of these days, I will jump on that bandwagon…
The top looks great, and it’s a lovely picture :)
You did a great job! Want to come over and help me sew. I try but really don’t have the patience for it. The pictures is to cute! TFS and enjoy your weekend.
The top looks nice on you and it looks comfy. I like it. Before you make that pattern again, remember you will be getting bigger, not smaller. (grin)
looks great! I’m scared of sewing with knit (but then again, I don’t have a serger).
Beautiful! Love the photo too.
You did an awesome job! I really like the top.