Before I was pregnant, I thought that when I was pregnant I would sew all my maternity clothes. Creating a capsule wardrobe of well-fitting clothes that I liked and avoiding spending $75 on a tee shirt at a maternity store. This is probably where all ladies who have been pregnant laugh at me.
Since I've become pregnant, I've spent most of the time that I'm not at work, lying on the floor covered in ice packs and vomiting. Sewing was not happening. I ended up doing a few desperate shops to get my body covered in hopes that my energy would return and I could sew some things later. My energy seems to be slowly returning and I've made a couple items which give me hope for the future.
During my lying on the floor stage, I did some googling and pinteresting (are these verbs?) to research what one wears when "with child." Here's what I found:
Leggings:
This is a category all on it's own. People tell me they lived in leggings while pregnant. This makes sense. They are stretchy and extremely comfortable and you can wear them with dresses and tunics and really t-shirts when you're pregnant because who is going to tell you otherwise? Also, I was pretty into them pre-pregnancy for the stretchy comfort reason. There are lots of legging patterns out there and you can easily draft your own using various tutorials. I recently got the Virginia Leggings pattern as part of the maternity bundle and they come with a lower rise so I'm going to give those a try.
Since I've become pregnant, I've spent most of the time that I'm not at work, lying on the floor covered in ice packs and vomiting. Sewing was not happening. I ended up doing a few desperate shops to get my body covered in hopes that my energy would return and I could sew some things later. My energy seems to be slowly returning and I've made a couple items which give me hope for the future.
During my lying on the floor stage, I did some googling and pinteresting (are these verbs?) to research what one wears when "with child." Here's what I found:
Leggings:
This is a category all on it's own. People tell me they lived in leggings while pregnant. This makes sense. They are stretchy and extremely comfortable and you can wear them with dresses and tunics and really t-shirts when you're pregnant because who is going to tell you otherwise? Also, I was pretty into them pre-pregnancy for the stretchy comfort reason. There are lots of legging patterns out there and you can easily draft your own using various tutorials. I recently got the Virginia Leggings pattern as part of the maternity bundle and they come with a lower rise so I'm going to give those a try.
Elastic Waist Pants:
This seems to be divided between pants that naturally have an elastic waist like sweat pants and things like jeans where you just throw one on. I bought some thrifted jeans to add elastic to the top of but that feels less and less appealing. I'm more into the first category.
This seems to be divided between pants that naturally have an elastic waist like sweat pants and things like jeans where you just throw one on. I bought some thrifted jeans to add elastic to the top of but that feels less and less appealing. I'm more into the first category.
The Hudson pants have already become a firm staple for me. I plan to also make them up in a woven because that feels a little classier. This Style Arc pattern is a good example of adding a band. I feel you could do this to any existing pants or pattern by adding a stretchy rectangle. |
The Giant Tent:
This category was one I strictly avoided pre-pregnancy but fully embrace in this hot-hot weather. Giant shapeless dresses make me feel like I'm wearing a circus tent but I don't care because it's super hot and I don't want anything touching my body.
This category was one I strictly avoided pre-pregnancy but fully embrace in this hot-hot weather. Giant shapeless dresses make me feel like I'm wearing a circus tent but I don't care because it's super hot and I don't want anything touching my body.
Empire waist dresses:
For those times you can stand something touching you. It's funny because I think many people shy away from empire waists because they can make you look pregnant. Time to embrace it.
For those times you can stand something touching you. It's funny because I think many people shy away from empire waists because they can make you look pregnant. Time to embrace it.
Stretchy skirts:
Wide waist bands and ruched options seem to be the way to go. I've got both of these patterns and have even made the ruched version. I'm still in the stage where it just looks like I'm showing off my gut as opposed to proudly displaying a baby bump so this might look better later.
Wide waist bands and ruched options seem to be the way to go. I've got both of these patterns and have even made the ruched version. I'm still in the stage where it just looks like I'm showing off my gut as opposed to proudly displaying a baby bump so this might look better later.
Loose tops:
I've been wearing a lot of my hemlock tee as it's so loose and comfortable. I'm unsure on the woven tops as they seem less comfortable and a bit frou-frou for my style as they always end up ruffly but never say never.
I've been wearing a lot of my hemlock tee as it's so loose and comfortable. I'm unsure on the woven tops as they seem less comfortable and a bit frou-frou for my style as they always end up ruffly but never say never.
Cropped tops:
To be paired with dresses and high waisted skirts. Very much emphasize the bump but it's less fabric over that area.
To be paired with dresses and high waisted skirts. Very much emphasize the bump but it's less fabric over that area.
"Show off the bump" tops:
These seem to best when you are super huge. A lot of patterns also seem to be V-neck which is supposed to be great for breast feeding after. At least that's what my friends tell me. Might try and make a few of these in the winter. |
Open cardigans and blazers:
Really most cardigans and blazers already work for pregnancy though I'm sure less tailored styles work better. Here I am looking skeptical in my newly made Julia Cardigan. I think the back view is especially unflattering on my body shape but I imagine I'll wear it anyway. It was super easy to put together and also comes with a long sleeve version.
Really most cardigans and blazers already work for pregnancy though I'm sure less tailored styles work better. Here I am looking skeptical in my newly made Julia Cardigan. I think the back view is especially unflattering on my body shape but I imagine I'll wear it anyway. It was super easy to put together and also comes with a long sleeve version.
Have any great patterns or styles that worked well for your pregnancy? Did you sew all your clothes like a superstar or just wear the same oversized ninja turtles tee shirt for way too long like me?