Sunday, May 18, 2014

How Long Can I Get Away With This?

I'm still spending some of my time in that major Egyptian river regarding my slowly changing body, but it's been really helpful reading all of your encouraging comments about viewing such changes positively. I'll be honest, I'm scared of never being able to wear my geeky dresses or fun costumes again, especially after spending hours of my life getting them to fit right. Is that superficial or what? Then again, my style has really become part of my identity, and even more so as a science teacher. Have you seen this article about gaining status by wearing non-conformist clothing? I feel like that's what I do in my Ms. Frizzle-esque teacher persona, enough so that students actually mentioned it in their year-end evaluations. A loss of that part of me (even if it's just an outward part! inwardly I'm still just as much of a dork as ever), coupled with trying to decide if I should return to school after the standard three months of maternity leave (lose my career identity to motherhood too??), and I've had lots of thinking and processing to do lately.

In the midst of all of that, I've still had to get dressed every day. I quickly discovered that the downside to having sewn tops that perfectly fit my small bust meant that about half of my me-made tops immediately became unwearable (unless I was purposely going for the bursting-out-of-my-blouse look). I had to have an emergency sewing weekend where I just churned out several quick tops that worked, and would continue to work as my body changes. Thankfully, loose, slouchy, or swingy tops are in right now, and of course I've no shortage of stash fabric!

Day 9 of Me Made May.

Anyway, almost exactly two years ago I made a version of Simplicity 8986; that top ended up being donated even after fixing the facing issue, just because the boxiness + polyester wasn't worth dealing with. I pulled it out again to make View D, which despite its very 90s envelope art is perfect for a no-fuss, kimono sleeve, trendily shapeless top. I wanted to add some visual interest, though, so I modified the pattern to include a contrast panel in front. Joining the bias-cut woven rayon to the stretchy knit rayon resulted in some weird drapiness at the seams, and the knit neckband got wonky at the join, but frankly I've seen a lot worse in RTW tops and I'm just glad to have a wearable top. It got a lot of positive comments when I wore it to school, and as we all know, teenagers have no qualms about telling you exactly what they think, so I think I'm good. Also, I discovered after having made it that it's pretty much just like this top-rated Modcloth tee, so that's nice.

It's really just a giant tee shirt with a trapezoid in the middle!

Summary:
Fabric: 2/3 yard of white mystery knit (feels like rayon with a healthy amount of lycra, since it's got decent recovery) and a remnant from this dress, both from the stash.
Notions: Just thread.
Hours: Less than two, from cut to finish. I love how knits require no seam finishing (I did pink and topstitch the rayon portions to control fraying), and kimono sleeves require no setting in, and I can do knit neckbands in my sleep now. How's that for instant gratification?




Will you make it again? I don't have anymore rayon scraps large enough to do this exact look, but I do like the idea of mixing prints with solids in simple tops!
Total cost: Less than a dollar, since the knit was original purchased in bulk from Michael Levine Loft, and the rayon was a remnant.
Final thoughts: I'm pleasantly surprised that mint is still in two years later because I love this top, despite its being not at all quirky. I think it's because I like to be able to prove that despite wearing odd-ish me-made clothing most of the time, I am still capable of identifying what's in fashion. It has no mental baggage attached since it was so easy to make, and it's gratifyingly attractive to wear while being loose enough to accommodate quite a bit more potential belly.

Seriously, how is this fabric still trendy even though I bought it two years ago specifically because it was trendy then?
And yet it is. Not that I'm complaining. 

I'm going to try to hold out as long as I can before conceding to actual, "official" maternity tops. I've got at least a few more non-maternity garments that I've made recently and been wearing...I hope they'll last for at least another couple of months!

63 comments:

  1. Its a very pretty top.
    I would be sewing for more bump though, your baby will grow very quickly! - and you might be distracted by baby sewing at some point...

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    1. I'm sure I'll change my mind later, but at this time I'm having a hard time conceiving of wanting to sew tiny fiddly things! Good call on sewing more bump-ready clothes though...

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  2. That's a sweet top! I also prefer fitter bodices and I completely understand your signature garments. I don't know how your body will change after delivery. Some go back to how they were and some not. Anyway, you have the talent to make new me-made clothes that will fit you perfectly.

    About going back to teaching... girl, it's like listening to myself. I'm already 35 and I still didn't get on board with pregnancy because I'm not sure I'm ready for all the changes that come with it. What about my career? What about my life? Motherhood is a life changer and, according to all mothers I've heard talking about it, nothing will ever be the same. I hope you can find place and time for all the things that fulfill your life and I will be following you closely, and maybe finding answers to my questions thanks to you.

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    1. Thanks for your encouraging words, Elena! I already feel like I waited a lot longer than I had initially planned to have this baby, but even that doesn't feel long enough because there are so many things I still want to do!

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  3. This is really pretty, and looks like it will be wearable for a while. I know everyone is different, but I went back to my pre-pregnancy weight after my first son. My bust was a slightly different shape, but same size, so I fitted all of my post-pregnancy clothes. My second son is only 12 days old but hoping same will apply this time. It's natural to worry about your post baby figure, but there is a good chance that you will get it back! Particularly if you look after yourself and eat healthily etc etc (although I still managed to consume a good amount of cake! Well, breastfeeding makes you hungry!).

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    1. Mmmm, cake...haha and I'm not even breastfeeding yet. It's good to hear that you were still able to fit into your pre-pregnancy clothes! Congrats on your second son!

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  4. This top looks fantastic!! I don't know how the fabric is still trendy, though, that one's a mystery. I'm glad it is, though! Life changes are so ridiculously hard to deal with. You finally figure yourself out, only to have to go through it all over again! I'm sure you will navigate motherhood just fine, though, and a revised version of your identity will pull through. You'll always have that quirkiness, and you'll always have that science teacher in you. I know a lot of women struggle with this, but two of my coworkers recently had their first babies, and I've been amazed at how they've both managed to find a balance. Maybe they're just more awesome than average, but it gives me hope :)

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    1. I think you said it perfectly -- I really do feel like I finally figured myself out, only to have a huge wrench thrown into everything!

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  5. Your top is awesome. Sometimes simplicity is beautiful! Congratulations on all the big exciting changes ahead. Motherhood is totally amazing and it's nothing anyone can ever prepare you for. As ready as I was to have my first bub, I went through the entire pregnancy not really understanding what I was in for, just doing what I was expected, and 100% sure that I was not a maternal person (and unsure if I would ever bond with the growing bub). In the last couple of months of my pregnancy, I even booked myself in for courses after bubs arrival (intensive professional development courses!) and planned going straight back to work. But I was not prepared for the immense whole encompassing love that would stop me from thinking about anything else. It took me a couple of years to 'find' a better balance with my needs and that was when I discovered sewing. It does take time. You have to let yourself off the hook with getting 'everything' done for a while and just allow yourself to learn motherhood and enjoy your infatuation with bub. You will always be you though and you can bring that to everything you do and teach bub. It took me a while to find my way out of the baby fog, but when I did, I was so much surer of who I was and what I wanted to be. And while we often think of motherhood as taking from our identities, we forget that it grows us and can teach us to be more amazing, more powerful, more efficient at time management, and more confident of our amazing characters!

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    1. Debbie, your words are so helpful and give me hope! I, too, don't normally feel like a maternal person (I seriously had a bit of a crisis about whether I'm going to love SHB as much as Walnut), but it's good to know that something takes over to change all of that. I tend to be pretty perfectionist so it'll be interesting to see how motherhood changes that "must do all the things!" mentality.

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  6. Wait, American's only get 3 months as parental leave???? Yikes! We get a year, and the option to delay return (without pay) for a second year. Thanks you, Canada!
    I've never had kids, so I can't personally identify with your changing body... but I'm so enjoying reading about it! It's oddly comforting to hear someone be frank about the challenges of becoming a parent! When people seem to find it all magically easy, it makes me feel like the odd one out for not wanting kids! :) On the plus side - you'll be an awesome nerdy parent!!!!!

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    1. 3 months is actually pretty generous for the US. In my state the legal minimum is 6 weeks, and most employers don't offer more than that. I'm lucky enough to be able to stay home with my kids, but I couldn't imagine how difficult it would be to go back to work after such a short period of time. It's definitely a challenging transition, especially the first few months. Anyone who says otherwise is either lying or has a nanny. ;)

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    2. I only got 2.5 months (12 weeks)... most of it unpaid. Many women don't even get that. America lags way behind on parental leave.

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    3. I have to admit, I kinda shudder every time I hear about Anerican mat leave. So barbaric! :(

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    4. We get 16 weeks here in Spain. Wow, Canada law rocks!

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    5. We should specify that the Canadian pregnancy/parental leave is unpaid generally (although you can get employment insurance benefits), and I think the second year thing is something our teaching unions negotiated, because it's not generally available.

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    6. Also: Congratulations on the SHB!

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    7. Wow...I need to move to Canada! Yeah, 12 weeks is already generous I feel for the US, although it's not paid. I'm fortunate that the timing of my SHB means that I essentially would just go back to teaching at the start of second semester.

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  7. Congratulations!!! I'm behind on blog reading and missed the big news! I immediately thought of the new Hot Patterns top:http://www.hotpatterns.com/ehp-1170-fast-fabulous-blouse-back-t-a4/ They have a downloadable option so no need to wait for a pattern in the mail. Love your new top.

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    1. Thank you, and I appreciate the link! I think I can figure it out from my knit sloper...

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  8. First of all, congratulations and best wishes as you embark upon this new life journey! I formerly taught high school, so I know the kids are right there with you! �� Now, back in the day when I was expecting, my due date was March. According to our contract, if the pregnancy ended (either birth, or otherwise), before July 1, the teacher would have to return to work the following September or lose her job. If the pregnancy ended after July 1st, the teacher had the choice of returning in September, or the following September. They did not want to interrupt the educational process by having female teachers leaving/returning throughout the year. Employers had to give you at least 6 weeks of unpaid leave. Maternity leave policies varied from town to town.
    That was in 1984 and it worked for us. Any decisions you make will be the right ones for you and your family, as always. You'll get there!
    Now, my daughter, a non-sewer reads your blog because of the costumes and "geekiness". When she was 6, and enthralled with The Little Mermaid, she decided that she wanted to be Ursula for Halloween, so we really appreciated your "grown-up" version.

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    1. Wow, that is an interesting system for determining when a teacher goes back to school! I was just trying to time my pregnancy so that I wouldn't be abandoning my students right before AP exams, but other than that, I wasn't particularly picky about when SHB is due.

      I can't say I liked Ursula much when I was 6 (she was still too scary for me at that point!), but I sure do like her now :)

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  9. The blouse is perfect and anything you wear now will also be useful immediately postpartum. You are still very tiny, remember the only reason you're so aware of the changes is because you're used to perfectly fitted clothes, while most people have already succumbed to a wardrobe of tunics because of the poor RTW fit. If what you want is your pre-pregnancy body, you can absolutely have it back with some work, but you can't deal with that until after so just be healthy and don't fret over it while you're pregnant. If I were putting together a maternity wardrobe today, I'd embrace the draped knits and irregular hemlines instead of the traditional fitted yokes and pleated tummies. But you really should make yourself at least one vintage maternity dress in a geeky print. If you think you got attention before just imagine full term and swathed in print. Just remember how much you've learned while sewing the dresses you're attached to and if in the end your figure is different and you need more, you will find it easier to fit the new dresses than it was to get things right the first time round. Finally, if it's any consolation, many women loose bust size with pregnancy/breast feeding so you may end up more gamine than ever. As to job, just try to position yourself to have options open, you can't possibly make these decisions by reason alone before your baby is born.

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    1. A ditto on the vintage maternity dress. Been many years since the first baby, but I splurged on the fabric for that dress then, and I Still Have It. The center front panel came out quite nicely and the print is still lovely. And with a small baby, your brain is only good for picking out stitching and sewing one seam!

      Plan on going back to work. Even if you don't, don't let them know you even thought about not going back. Little babies do not do much, minding them is not really complicated and is somewhat boring. Childcare for one is reasonable. Nursing does complicate matters, but what doesn't? I had to quit when it came to Thing Two; childcare doubled, wages did not. I am finding my kids need more of me now that they are teenagers and their school lives are less structured. But let's get real: you don't need to make any choices before you know what you want to do.

      Unless you time travel.

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    2. Thanks for your advice, ladies! I only wish I didn't have to let school know so soon (by the end of the month!) if I was planning on returning or not...it's understandable, though, since they do need to find replacement teachers. My mom said the same thing about going back to work, as she personally found the day-to-day of childcare pretty mind-numbing.

      I do have one 60s maternity dress pattern that I might try, but we'll see how I feel about giving up one of my precious geeky sheets for that purpose...

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    3. I know the responsible thing to do would be figure out the final answer today and let your employer know immediately but that's just not possible all you can do is give them the answer as it is today. It sounds like at the moment, it isn't that you don't want to go back but you fear when the time comes to go back something will be preventing you from doing it. If that's correct, then the honest answer is you are planning to go back, 100%. If by the end of your leave something has prevented you from doing what you planned, that's just life and you and your admin would have to make adjustments then. That would put everyone in a bad position but it's not your fault, there are many other life changes which could cause the same. It sounds like you're identifying too strongly with your admin/students and how you could let them down. But what about the reverse, what if you tell them today you are not returning and the when your baby is 3 months old you realize you absolutely want to be back at work, then you would feel like a chump who gave up a much loved, paying job based only on a remote fear. It's guaranteed that things will be different six months from now and you may have an inkling of how it will play out but you can't make a life decision based on a guess. You have to answer based on how you feel today. This was the same advice my immediate supervisor gave me and she was an employment attorney who should have taken the company line, but she told me to plan on coming back and take any leave I was due and only make my decision when the leave was up. I know it sounds callus but the alternative is selling yourself short.

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  10. I've loved your blog for years. You're clever, talented, funny and have taught me many useful sewing tips. (Thanks!) And now...congratulations! Being pregnant is so exciting. Overwhelming. Anxiety-riddled. And finite. You're uber blessed to be an accomplished seamstress - I squeaked by on borrowed items, a few purchased outfits and hand-me-downs. It was the mid-80s and it wasn't pretty.

    Your wardrobe is a very cool part of your identity. Soon your identity will expand (in non-baby-bump ways); with your talents and interests I imagine it only being richer, more creative, but not diminished should it morph in ways you didn't expect/intend. What an exciting time for you! I look forward sharing it. You'll be a great mom. : )

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    1. Thanks for your kind words! I do feel encouraged by the reminders that I do have the skills to make a new wardrobe for myself if necessary. Oddly enough, I don't feel particularly compelled to make decidedly maternity items...maybe it's the thought of spending all that time making something that will only be worn for a few months!

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  11. Standard 3 months maternity leave! That's a shame. Here in Canada it was moved from 6 months to 50 weeks over a decade ago.

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    1. 6 months already sounds like a lot, and 50 weeks is just unbelievable! Actually now that I think about it, 3 months isn't even standard throughout all of the US...

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  13. I can identify with your feelings! I had my first six years ago, and went through the same inner conflict. I had a stellar teaching career, settled and well on my way (I was 31 when I had #1). I cried on and off through pregnancy, fearful of all the "changes."
    I can say this: it's a shift. But you won't melt into nothing but a milk factory, you will still be you, now with an amazing little thing to sew for, too.
    I did lose my rock star hobby. I used to play drums in a rock band. At some point in 2nd trimester, and it's now been six years (2 kids), and I'm just now starting to think about it again.
    As far as teaching goes-- could you take a leave of absence (or partial leave/job share) for the first year?
    I only went back half-time (0.6 FTE) for the first year. It worked out well, then I went back full time after that.
    Your post today made me feel bittersweet, it just reminded me so much of myself! Take good care, it will all work out beautifully. xx

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    1. I'm about the age that you had #1, so it's really comforting to hear about your experience. I am actually talk to my admin about coming back part-time instead of full-time, but we'll see...

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  14. Great top- id wear it and I'm not pregnant! It was very hard for me as well to accept my growing baby body (I happened to have twins so my "growth" was exponential) but as it turned out, I was back below my pre baby weight within 4-5 weeks and now I really wish I could have stressed less and enjoyed it more! As for clothing, I despised the maternity offerings, and so I applaud you for sewing your own!

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    1. Thanks for the wise words of advice! I am trying to let go and enjoy it more...some days are more successful than others!

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  15. Your post made me smile. I remember thinking much of the same thoughts. I had my husband take a picture of me standing next to a photo of Antarctica, just a few weeks later than you likely are right now, because my belly felt that big at the time. Haha! Little did I realize just how much bigger it could get! Things have definitely changed post-baby, and I'm not yet back to my pre-baby weight (though I blame the bewbs for that one since my pants all fit again), but it really is wonderful having a little one around. I think you'd be fine with a three-month leave, but I do wish we were on board with Canada and offered 50 weeks! I think I mentioned this to you earlier, but I took up tutoring to keep myself busy, bring in a bit of income, and keep my chemistry skills sharp.

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    1. Oh, that Antarctica thing made me laugh...oddly enough I feel a little bit better now that I'm more obviously pregnant and not just bloated, but I'm pretty sure as things change more my feelings will too! It was really helpful reading all about your maternity makes, actually, during that first weird trimester when we overlapped a tiny tiny bit.

      I like the idea of tutoring to keep me from stagnating entirely!

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  16. My son is 7 months old now, and pretty much by the time I wanted to wear actual clothes again (and not just pajamas because of nursing and sleep deprivation those first few weeks), I could fit into almost everything I was able to wear pre-baby, minus a few dresses and pairs of pants that were tight to begin with. This is not typical, but it might give you hope that it's possible. Then again, my breasts hardly grew at all during pregnancy or after childbirth (though I'm still able to produce plenty of milk--size has nothing to do with that), and I gained only the bare minimum 25-30 pounds that they say is healthy. Pretty much the moment I had the baby, all of that disappeared. I think it's mostly genetic. If you're worried about it, ask your mom, aunts, and grandmas about their post-baby body and how long it took them to get back to their regular clothes. If nothing else, it'll give you a great excuse to sew lots more clothing! (In all your spare time with a newborn, haha).

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    1. Thanks for giving me hope! I'm hoping not to gain more than the minimum weight, but we'll see how that goes. My mom and aunt look pretty amazing for having birthed multiple kids; let's hope I take after them!

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  17. Great top! I'm definitely going to be following how you handle all of the physical and figure changes of this stage-- I'm not currently trying to get pregnant, but I'm sure I will be at some point, and how to deal with the handmade wardrobe is definitely one of my concerns! I'm pretty similar to you in that I like fitted waists and all, so I'll be interested to see how you handle this. I hope the geeky dresses and costumes are still wearable when this is over!

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    1. Heh, I'm glad that you can learn from my journey? That makes me feel better that other people are concerned about similar things...makes me feel less shallow!

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  18. I love love love this top! I must go make my own version now!!

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  19. Hey Cindy - I'm here in London with the #NYLon gals and they told me to go read your reveal post because I'm way behind on blog reading and didn't know your big news! Congratulations! And I'm going to second Gillian's comment above: "what? 3 months?!?!" I wasn't ready to go back to work until ~10 months for my first and ~6 months for my second kid. At 3 months you're still up many, many times in the night, still feeding every 3 hours or so, and not really thinking straight. I can't imaging teaching in that frame of mind. Do you have to decide now, or can you defer the decision until your maternity leave is nearing the 3 month mark?

    DM me if you want to talk about mothering / academia / etc! ;)

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    1. I went back at 2.5 months BUT I was still majorly sleep deprived and doing a lot of nursing during the night until my kid was over 2 years old. I don't think I was quite ready for going back to work until at least 6 months or 10 months, but it was what it was.

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    2. Vicki, I am totally going to hit you up for advice :)

      Mikhaela, thanks for letting me know you survived despite wanting maternity leave to be longer!

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  20. Lovely top! Don't write off your lovely fitted dresses just yet—you just don't know until after you have your baby how your body is going to choose to react. For me, I was back to my pre-pregnancy size (maybe even a bit smaller) about 3 or 4 months after giving birth and that was with no actual attempt at exercise in any way—it was just all the breastfeeding. My bust stayed two cup sizes bigger for a while, but gradually returned to the exact same size it was prepregnancy, and I wished then I hadn't tossed out all my pretty bras thinking I'd never be able to wear them again. Everything fit perfectly... until I weaned my daughter at age almost-3 and immediately gained an inch or two everywhere that has refused to go away (not that I've really TRIED to lose weight but I am grumpy that so many pre-preggo clothes stopped fitting after I was done nursing).

    Also, as to whether you need the real "maternity-looking" maternity stuff, it really varies. I looked WAY pregnant very early on and found myself needing those serious maternity-looking styles, and by a certain point couldn't just wear loose-fitting or drapier things ... though I still made use of non-maternity knit dresses and skirts up to the end.

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    1. That's fascinating...I really wonder what my body will do; everyone's experience is so different! I'm definitely planning on BFing, so we'll see how that works with post-pregnancy body changes!

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  21. Around the time I drafted my Ariadne tunic pattern, I remember being very grumpy that tops like that weren't in style when I was pregnant---it would've been so easy! I loved shirred-back sundresses with empire waists when I was pregnant... But I've always loved empire waists... Hmm. You'll figure it out. Worst case scenario, you get to make all new quirky geeky dresses! ;)

    Consider it a quest---an epic adventure into strange and perilous lands. LOTR got nothin on this. :)

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    1. You are the queen of empire waists! I'm actually in the middle of making myself another Ariadne this week, since I've been wearing my original one (which I never resized to be smaller, thank goodness) all the time! You're right, it's perfect for pregnancy.

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  22. Firstly many congratulations! I didn't take up sewing until after my third child was walking, and I spent most of my pregnancies in H&M Skinny maternity jeans (low rise with the jersey belly section). That way I got to make the most of the bits of me that looked slim, plus a range of t-shirts. Of course, even now that I sew I still accidentally live in jeans and t-shirts all the time...

    I did wonder if you ever read Zoe's blog at SoZo... She documented her whole changing body/clothing dilemma and processes - at the very least it might give you some clues as to what might fit when! http://sozowhatdoyouknow.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/maternity

    Have fun!

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    1. I realise that possibly sounds a bit dim, coming off the back of Me-Made-May, but I meant specifically her recent maternity adventures...

      Writing coherent sentences while fending off cries to have lunch/watch Peter Rabbit/do Junk Modelling v.difficult. :-)

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    2. Somebody else linked me to her blog, so I definitely went back and re-read her pregnancy/maternity clothes journey! It was really helpful indeed, and I'm hoping to utilize some of her tutorials about sewing for a belly. I'm still loving my skinny jeans, so it's good to know H&M has some...I had no idea!

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  23. How did I miss the big news? That is fantastic, congratulations! I say, embrace the changes now, you'll have all the time to mourn the "loss of your figure" after the baby comes, and possibly for years afterwards (ask me how I know...) I am really looking forward to seeing all the garments you'll make for yourself and the baby. And BTW, you look great, and I hope you feel just as well.

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    1. Thank you! I'm feeling pretty great now that I'm solidly in second trimester and not nauseous all the time anymore!

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  24. I really like this top. It looks great! Keep hanging in there and the right answers will come to you in time.

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    1. Thanks Em! I hope those answers come quickly, though, as I have to let my school know next week if I'm coming back next year or not :)

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  25. I have no advice on changing body image or returning to work after maternity leave, but I find "go with your gut" good advice in most aspects of life.

    Why not troll through Goodwill or Sally Army and find some tops to refashion? There are sales at Sally Army where clothes are half off and you could find some rayon or cotton tops to make smaller or cut into simple raglan tops. I know you fell huge now, but you are still a tiny girl compared to most of the world. May I refer to you Miss P's blog. She's a pro refashioner if you're low on inspiration.
    http://portialawrie.blogspot.com/

    Best!

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  26. What a great top! Based on your size now and your mothers figure, I'm sure you will snap right back to your pre-pregnancy size (minus the boobs which will be ridiculous for a while in the early months of nursing).

    If you have to give a work decision next week, then tell them you are coming back. If you can get part time that really would be perfect, I've been mostly working 90%, 4 nine hour days a week, in an engineering career for a decade and I love it. But if part time isn't an option then go back full time. You can always reassess next summer, but it can be very hard to get back into a career after taking and extended parenting leave.

    Most of all, Congratulations! I'm not sure if I've commented here before, but you are going to be a fantastic and fun mom. Watching my girls grow has been the most fascinating and wonderful experience.. Even if you've never been a 'kid person" before, you will find that YOUR child is the most amazing thing in the world. Enjoy!

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  27. I have a one year old girl now and after months of body changes, I think my body is stable now. It has the same weight as before pregnancy but something changed around my hips, my tummy will not go away anymore and my bust point lowered (do you say it like this?) after breastfeeding. Very frustrating because my dresses are not fitting anymore. But, this hole journey was very interesting: I didn't wear much of my clothes for about a year and after that I could clean out my wardrobe. Now I haven't much clothes left and I have a fresh start for sewing and building a well balances wardrobe. And that's ok too!

    After maternity leave (5 months) I started working fulltime but I was still too tired. now I'm working 4/5 and that's better. Everything about the kid is wonderfull but I keep on missing my own uninterrupted time.
    Well, all this is my personal expierience and listening to my friends, it is different for everybody! but we agree on one thing; it's a major change :-)

    I wish you worryless time, were you can enjoy the changes! lots of love

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  28. Congratulations!!! When I was at the pre-maternity stage of clothing I did not know that these would be the post pregnancy clothes I wore until my body let go of the pregnancy weight. These are important garments...have no fear you'll probably grow out of them at some point, but you'll very likely be back into them for a period of time once you give birth. About the topic of how fitted your wardrobe is...I was a AA cup pre-pregnancy. Now (my youngest is 13) I'm past the DD range. They just never left. Good luck in that area!

    About going back to work...truly, one cannot imagine how different your thinking is once you have a baby human that's grown inside your womb and then comes out finally to snuggle up w you. It defys explanation. I can't imagine having gone back to work -- though it was absolutely the very last day of my leave before I could come to terms with it. As I look back, I have such amazing children and I truly believe it was because I ended up leaving my amazing corporate job and began a new one that has been fulfilling in far more ways than I ever imagined.

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    1. New job being mom to three incredible daughters...

      Things will be different when your baby's born. I also have every confidence that you will make the right decision for you...whatever that ends up looking like!

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  29. Huge congratulations on your pregnancy. That top looks excellent, lots of room for bump to grow. I looked like I'd swallowed a beach ball with each pregnancy, but I am (more or less) back to normal after three babies.

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