 |
| Me Made May, days 1, 2, 4-6: black chiffon top, Come to Feather dress, A New Hope dress (for May the Fourth!), Ariadne tunic, and casual Gatsby dress. |
It's been interesting seeing how pregnancy has been affecting my body, and therefore my sewing and wearing of me-made clothing. I think those of us who sew are probably more aware of our bodies than the average shopper; after all, we're trying to make garments that perfectly fit our bodies. This is good, because we end up with items that are tailored to our specific measurements, but the flip side is that when those measurements change, those perfectly fitted items really don't fit!
This was exactly the case with basically half my closet -- all those very fitted top, flared skirt dresses? Unwearable, and almost immediately*! While I pretty much expected that to be the case, what surprised me was the reason why they didn't fit. I thought my expanding waistline would be the problem, but instead, it was my expanding bust. Somehow, I missed the memo about growing almost two cup sizes while pregnant. It's been really weird for me; I always thought I'd be thrilled to have a larger bust, but now that it's happened, I feel almost as if I don't know myself anymore. Okay, maybe that's a little melodramatic, but stay with me here: all my life I've identified as a small-busted lady, and I've made the best of that by making a lot of dartless bodices that really only work if one is fairly small. Throw in society's messed-up evaluation of a woman based on her chest size, and even if I don't subscribe to it, it still gets in your head, you know? And now that I suddenly have cleavage, I'm all mixed up about my style because my signature items don't fit anymore. I was going to wear my beaded Gatsby dress (the quintessential gamine, flat-chested look!) to a fancy dinner two months ago and I couldn't get the slip on! Can I have a fashion-based nervous breakdown without sounding totally shallow?
*My Star Wars dress was the last fitted dress I was able to wear, and only because it had originally been quite loose. Even then, it was a tight squeeze. I'm pretty sure May 4th was literally the last day I could have zipped it up and still been able to sit down and breathe!
My fabulous Ursula bustier that I spent so long working on? A week after I took the photos, it didn't fit anymore...at the bust. I could still fasten the waist stay, but it wouldn't zip all the way up. I wanted to cry because it just seemed so unfair. Of course, once I hit month four, my waist did start slowly growing, so the bustier really didn't fit at all. I had to pack it away inside my costume trunk and hope that one day I'll be able to wear it again. Man, it's a good thing I have so many elastic-waisted, knit garments in my closet. The SHB is now the size of a pomegranate, so you can definitely tell from the side now. From the front, things still look fairly normal, or so I tell myself. My waist has always been my favorite feature, so I find myself alternating between denial and mourning as it slowly disappears...
All this to say, MMM14 has been a bit of an adventure, and I've had a couple of weekends of emergency sewing (I know, exactly what we're not supposed to do!) as I try to make more maternity-suitable clothing. I don't think I'm mentally adjusted to my changing body yet, though, so most of those makes have just been loose, swingy tops that aren't actual maternity tops. More on those to come!
Other sewing moms, how did you make the mental and emotional adjustment to your changing pregnant body? I'd appreciate any tips you have to share!
*My Star Wars dress was the last fitted dress I was able to wear, and only because it had originally been quite loose. Even then, it was a tight squeeze. I'm pretty sure May 4th was literally the last day I could have zipped it up and still been able to sit down and breathe!
 |
| Days 7, 8, 10, and 11: Golden Oatmeal dress, It's Hip to Be a Square maxi dress, unblogged tee refashion, and Japanese dress. Notice how these are all knit garments. |
My fabulous Ursula bustier that I spent so long working on? A week after I took the photos, it didn't fit anymore...at the bust. I could still fasten the waist stay, but it wouldn't zip all the way up. I wanted to cry because it just seemed so unfair. Of course, once I hit month four, my waist did start slowly growing, so the bustier really didn't fit at all. I had to pack it away inside my costume trunk and hope that one day I'll be able to wear it again. Man, it's a good thing I have so many elastic-waisted, knit garments in my closet. The SHB is now the size of a pomegranate, so you can definitely tell from the side now. From the front, things still look fairly normal, or so I tell myself. My waist has always been my favorite feature, so I find myself alternating between denial and mourning as it slowly disappears...
 |
| Days 12-14: Travel to Work dress, granny dress to maxi skirt refashion, Dulcie dress. Hurrah for elastic waists and belts! |
All this to say, MMM14 has been a bit of an adventure, and I've had a couple of weekends of emergency sewing (I know, exactly what we're not supposed to do!) as I try to make more maternity-suitable clothing. I don't think I'm mentally adjusted to my changing body yet, though, so most of those makes have just been loose, swingy tops that aren't actual maternity tops. More on those to come!
Other sewing moms, how did you make the mental and emotional adjustment to your changing pregnant body? I'd appreciate any tips you have to share!
hehehe, i was actually really surprised that the underbust expanded in size (the area right below boobs), because that area didnt seem to put on that much fat/baby and i can still feel my rib cages right away. But I learnt that your rib cages actually expand out to accommodate for the baby during pregnancy! and here I was thinking bones dont move. i was quite surprised, and some baby-doll pre-pregnancy stuff doesnt work.
ReplyDeleteHuh, that actually explains a lot! I knew to expect feet expansion, but had never heard about the rib cage thing!
DeleteOh man, I've been there. (And even blogged about it.) Things change FAST! I remember crying over a (gorgeous, to this day unworn and unblogged) purple silk dress I was finishing when I found out I was pregnant. All that careful fitting...and my boobs were never that size again, even post breastfeeding.
ReplyDeleteI wrote a thing about maternity clothes strategies that might be helpful. It was also published on Offbeat Families, so it's geared less to those who can sew. Sewing-wise I made four or five tent-style dresses and then belted them differently as my shape changed. Stretchy belts are great!
I went back and read all of your maternity posts and they were really helpful! It's always just nice to know that you're not the only one having issues. I am totally going to be on the lookout for stretchy belts when thrifting now!
DeleteI'm currently pregnant with my fourth, and was a small chested girl prior to having kids. Not only can they grow during pregnancy, but if you breastfeed they will seem like they could explode (not to make you scared , lol). I've actually sewn up a lot of my maternity clothes from vintage patterns, many of which were designed to be worn during and after pregnancy. Knits are great, but many vintage designs are made to accommodate a growing chest, too.
ReplyDeleteMy chest size has never fully went back to where it was before I had kids no matter how much weight I lost, but you have to learn to deal with that. My oldest is six and I still sometimes miss having a little chest.
I'm currently blogging many of my me made maternity clothes at www.betsysbaby.blogspot.com
Childbirth truly changes your body forever, but not necessarily in a bad way. You can learn to grow and shrink, grow and shrink, and not be depressed about it. It helps to have maternity clothes and post-partum/in between sizes clothing for afterwards. Look at it as an opportunity to sew up new patterns and styles that will better flatter the shape you are at the moment, and most of all enjoy every second of it. We all deal with body issues while pregnant and afterwards, but you'll get the hang of it.
Sarah
Yeah, I'm looking through some of my late 60s and early 70s patterns and finding that many of them could easily be adapted for pregnancy and postpartum wear! I checked out your blog and it's really helpful to see how other people dress during this time; thanks for the link!
DeleteI've been in a cave. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!
ReplyDeleteSo exciting!
Haha, I've been in a cave too...a nausea- and tiredness-induced one! Thank you, though!
DeleteCongratulations!!!! Motherhood is so much fun. I'm so excited for you. I was just fine with the body changes during pregnancy. I thought it was all fun. You know, not having to suck in. It's the after baby body stuff that I have found difficult. Didn't bounce back quite the way I'd hoped. But I think that is par for the course. Just remember that your body is doing something absolutely amazing right now. Don't waste too much energy on worrying about anything else!
ReplyDeleteIt is a little bit of a relief to just let it go after so many years of concealing ;)
DeleteCongratulations! I am excited to see how your sewing evolves to include your new family member. Think of all the stash busting opportunities that little one will introduce!
ReplyDeleteOooh, I didn't even think about that...all those little scraps and remnants might finally come in handy!
DeleteI am 35 weeks pregnant with our second baby and it has been really difficult this go around especially after working so hard to lose weight after my first baby. Admittedly, I have cried a lot...but for me at least, emotional ups and downs are just part of the process. Also, I have an awesome husband who is very reassuring and tells me I am pretty even though I don't feel like I am. I do feel better about my body, pregnant or not pregnant, when I can wear clothes I have sewn myself. I've made a lot of t-shirts and cami's based on this tutorial: http://sozowhatdoyouknow.blogspot.com/2012/07/maternity-tops.html Good luck with your pregnancy!
ReplyDeleteMy husband has been great too, and yes, sewing one's own clothes really helps! I tried to go shopping for maternity clothes and it was so depressing I just went back home to my sewing machine instead. I'm definitely going to have to look at all of So Zo's tutorials and maternity clothes posts...thanks for the link!
DeleteWhen I was trying to get pregnant I made a little shirtwaist dress with a fit and flare waist that was on a little drawstring inside--I figured I could let it out once my middle expanded. It was really cute! I'm sorry I don't still have it, but as I never needed it (both my babies were adopted) I probably handed it down at some point. Kids are just the greatest, and I had so much fun sewing for them when they were little--the Poohbear costume, the Anakin Skywalker robe with the fake clip in braid, the sumo-wrestler jumpsuit made of fleece because #2 came along in the dead of WINTER!!! Any my fave, the Glinda The Good costume
ReplyDeleteI have to say, I'm pretty stoked about the idea of getting to sew all sorts of geeky costumes for this SHB!
DeleteI lived in a stretch dress while working and at home mostly wore stretch tops and stretch jeans that were low rise and sat below the bump. Basically, while pregnant stretch is your friend. I didn't change much in the bust, but then I was a D to start with, my ribcage expanded though, so changed from a 12D to a 14D which I still am 9 years after my last child.
ReplyDeleteI am definitely loving my low-rise jeans and knit tops right now! And my ribcage is expanding too, so that's another thing to deal with.
DeleteCongratulations !! I wasn't prepared for the expanding bust either - I went up 5!!! sizes. Try Megan Nielsen's maternity patterns. I found styles that I never thought I'd wear but loved then.
ReplyDeleteTime to check it out, then! I've not generally been wowed by her patterns, but I may need to give them another try now!
DeleteCongratulations!
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel. Just when i started feeling ok about my body, i got pregnant. My daughter is 15 months now and i'm still searching for my new body and style. All those pencil skirts i made.... They simple don't fit my live style any more.
So right now, my body is quite ok again, but now i started thinking: how long will i wear the stuff i make now? Because a second pregnancy is our wish..... So a changing body and style, i now all about it, and it doesn't stop after 9 months 😊
Yeah, it's all the unknowns, both now and postpartum, that have me hesitant about sewing too much. I just don't know where I'm going to land!
DeleteThinking about all those pencil skirts makes me sad :(
Huge huge congratulations!!
ReplyDeleteI do feel your pain! I had exactly the same issue with my bust and now that my baby's 5 weeks old and I was hoping to get back in my clothes, my bust has increased another 2 cup sizes because I'm breastfeeding.....! All of a sudden I need tops that are low cut or have buttons (which keep popping open!!) and I was the queen of high necklines and fitted waists! D'oh!
What I found most frustrating throughout pregnancy was that what suited me in each trimester was totally different too, so I totally lost the will to sew because as soon as I made something, I needed something different! The dresses I wore in the last couple of weeks and flattered a huge bump had looked awful when I was about 4/5 months pregnant!
I came to the conclusion in the end that it was best to buy/make things that I could wear after the baby was born as well (jersey tunics and the like), which generally fitted me up until the last couple of months, at which point I bought a couple of cheap maternity dresses from ASOS that I practically alternated daily!
Good luck! It is truly an amazing time!
I can see how the constant changes during pregnancy can be frustrating, especially if one is relying on RTW -- that stuff adds up! Good point, to think about what would work well postpartum too...I'm definitely trying to consider that as I figure out my sewing plans.
DeleteCongratulations! Such exciting news. If you think your bust is large now, wait til the baby is born! I distinctly remember bursting into tears shortly after bringing my new born baby son home. I was hanging out the washing and looked down at my milk stained shirt, and thought "Where did those come from?"
ReplyDeleteSomeone else mentioned something about your rib cage getting bigger. I can't fit into anything that I wore pre-chidren that was remotely fitted. I have a few tops that were tight to start with, now I can't do them up. Surprisingly, 5 years after my last child, my waist and hips seem to be going down again though. I can zip up a skirt I made for my honeymoon 10 years ago, even if it is so tight that it wouldn't be decent to be seen wearing outside the house.
All the best with the pregnancy, can't wait to share more of the journey with you.
Thanks for sharing your experience...I actually find it really helpful to know that other people were also distressed by the changes (not that I'm enjoying hearing about other people bursting into tears, but you know what I mean).
DeleteCongratulations!! I remember being in denial for almost all of it - a small busted lass, suddenly I had cleavage - yes, I put on 6kg immediately (22kg in total - that's HUGE) & then those early breastfeeding boobs are simply unbelievable... It all does go away again, and Sarah nailed it as you learn to accept the changes as you grow and shrink, you're growing a SHB - it's pretty amazing ;)
ReplyDeleteSwapping sewing to hipster pants & lots of long knit tops, or long singlets/tanks under pretty chiffon things helped. I've only been pulling my old favourites out of storage now (my 2nd is 3), & my lower ribcage is still bony but a different shape ;( Congratulations again ;)
Long knit tops are my favorite thing right now! And I think the changes have been a little bit easier now that I'm officially "out" and not just say, trying to hide a large lunch!
DeleteWoohoo that's so exciting. I found maternity easier to dress than I do now. Stretch is great and I was more comfortable in tight fitting than I am after two children.
ReplyDeleteThat's an interesting perspective! Thanks for offering another way to look at it!
DeleteWhoa, I totally missed your Mother Gothel post! WOW and congratulations!!!! Hurrah! I feel like I became pretty expert at maternity sewing four years ago and it was definitely the bust that was an issue first (and continued to be for a few years while I was nursing)—I ended up doing the most bizarre FBAs sometimes (like adding 6 inches total at the bust instead of 1 or 2 like I usually do). My main strategy was just lots of knit tops, knit skirts, knit dresses, looser woven dresses with belts... shirred elastic... etc. the knit and skirred skirts I was even able to wear for a while after having my daughter.
ReplyDeleteYours was actually one of the first blogs whose archives I pored over once I found out that I was pregnant!
DeleteI missed the big announcement! I'm so excited for you, and I had suspected something like this might be brewing since your blog had been so quiet lately. I never sewed anything maternity-wise for myself except a birthing skirt (the test version of which I wore a lot during pregnancy--very comfy!). What I wasn't expecting with having kids is that the body changes continue after you give birth. Even after I returned to my pre-pregnancy weight, my shape has changed permanently (I guess). Some things widened but flattened, and your boobs will constantly change if you breastfeed, and then breastfeeding itself requires a whole different set of wardrobe accommodations. The SHB are totally worth it though ;-) Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteHaha, I did exactly what I accused other sewing bloggers of doing...disappearing for months and then suddenly popping back in to announce an SHB! Thanks for the encouragement...this SHB has felt more worth it now that I can feel the flutterings inside.
DeleteAnd I forgot to answer your question. I actually really loved being pregnant because I used to feel so self-conscious about my belly (stupid, I know) and I felt totally free to just not care about it anymore, and even emphasize and love the belly so I could get a seat on the subway. I did miss my waist, and I was jealous of all the fitted styles that wouldn't work without a ridiculous amount of modifications, but I learned to look for sexy wrap dresses and other styles that would make me feel good ... I struggled more (and still do) post-baby since I definitely still looked pregnant for a month or so after I had my daughter... and my size just seems to go up and down and never stay still long enough to warrant a fitted woven pencil skirt project.
ReplyDeleteI really loved what you wrote recently about women's bellies...it's been really helpful to think about as I try to rearrange my mental self-image.
DeleteI missed your grand announcement too so congratulations!! I am also expecting my first (but haven't said anything on the blog so mum's the word 😉) so I know what you're going through. It's very very weird but I'm sure it'll all be worth it. I haven't had the energy or the inclination to sew myself any maternity clothes so my mmm14 is scanty to say the least....well done to you for doing so well!
ReplyDeleteAww, congratulations! So exciting to have a buddy in this!
DeleteSince my youngest is 23, I can't help you in the sewing department. However, I know that my rib cage has expanded, never to go back to the original size, due to the fact that I have had 3 kids. Eh, small price to pay. Being in the small bust department, a larger bust did not make me happy. And I know exactly how you are feeling about precise measurements being thrown right out the window due to an expanding body. My doctor just put me on a higher dose of a med. It made me gain 8 pounds. I had a complete meltdown and told him to get me off the higher dose RIGHT NOW! He couldn't understand my overemotional reaction. Because my blood, sweat and tears go into making clothes to precisely fit me, Buddy. He lowered the dose :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you were able to work that out with your doctor...that does not sound fun! Thanks for sharing your experience!
DeleteOh yeah, I hear ya. That's what I found the hardest too - going from a AA cup to a C cup. I always thought I wanted bigger boobs, and then I got them, and I didn't feel like 'me' anymore. Very strange! (Thankfully, they've mostly gone back again now. Only to start expanding again soon, I suspect....)
ReplyDeleteI ended up making a bunch of 1970's dresses for the mid-pregnancy stage - those pull-on ones with sash belts. Great for when you're not pregnant, as you can cinch them in with the sash, and also wearable when pregnant as you just have the sash higher.
One thing with making maternity clothes - be aware that if you're planning to breastfeed afterwards, you're gonna need quick access to certain parts of your anatomy. Things that button or zip up the front (or cross over, like the Tiramisu dress from Cake - just add some elastic to the neck binding to help it's recovery as it gets one heck of a work-out) are great.
I'm planning a little series of indie-patterns-that-are-wearable-during-pregnancy over the next couple of months on my blog, been hunting up ones that look like they could work so I don't feel like I'm putting heaps of effort into garments I'll only wear for about three months and then never again!
Time to go read all of your archives about maternity clothing! And thank you for the tip about easy access...I'm afraid I hadn't thought that far ahead yet, but it's an excellent point!
DeleteI know exactly what you mean about feeling like you don't know yourself any more. You get to know what flatters you, and then that all goes out the window. For myself, I always thought I'd love to be a cup size or two bigger, and then when I happened, it was like, "Huh, I look ... matronly."
ReplyDeleteIn my case, I go back down to my pre-pregnancy size after a few months, even while breastfeeding (as far as I can tell when my size changes by the hour, anyway). My waist gained a few inches, but (how do I put this?) they're inches that move around easily, so I still seem to be able to fit into my fitted pre-pregnancy dresses without much of a problem. It always takes me at least a few months to get there, though, so don't toss anything if you're not back into it right away!
Isn't it funny how things turn out when we get what we thought we wanted? Thanks for sharing your tip...I'm not throwing anything out yet!
DeleteI found I didn't have time/energy to make a wardrobe from scratch - I bought pants second hand that I added large stretch waistbands to, and refurbished men's shirts (pleats, darts, and/or elastic shirring). I barely kept ahead of the bump, and sadly didn't blog them either.
ReplyDeleteI'm heading into summer vacation, so I hope *fingers crossed* to have time to sew maternity clothes! That first trimester was pretty killer though, in terms of lack of energy. I should look into refashioning again...I haven't done that in a few years!
DeleteAfter my first, my boobs were huge! Everyone kept telling me that they'd go back down after I quit breastfeeding, but they never did. So you may or may not keep them after your SHB gets here. Your body will change in all sorts of unexpected ways, and it's going to be impossible to know until it's over, and then it'll change all over again with the next one. :-)
ReplyDeleteAs for sewing while pregnant this last time, I opted not to. I put away my stuff and aside from sewing things for the baby I decided that it was too short of a time period. Of course, I also spent a lot of time sleeping, feeling sick, worshipping the porcelain throne, taking care of a very energetic 7.5 year old, and doing doctor visits, so my sewing time was extremely limited anyway. Hopefully, you aren't suffering from the same issues that I did, and since it's your first it's a whole lot easier to do other things because you don't have an older one to care for.
Yeah, I hear that a lot from more experienced moms. Mr. Cation was traveling a lot during my first, really tiring trimester, and at times taking care of Walnut was all I could handle. Those of you who deal with older kids while being pregnant definitely have my admiration!
DeleteI have the same issue but for completely different reasons. I lost quite some weight in the last month and me made clothes don't fit me anymore (even the Cambie Dress I started a month and a half ago).
ReplyDeleteI always wondered how I would react to my changing body during pregnancy and I can see myself in you. It's strange when your body doesn't feel the old same, isn't it? I hope you start finding yourself in your new curves and that all goes well.
Thanks for understanding! Even when it's a theoretically happy change, it's still complicated navigating that new relationship with one's body.
DeleteOh, this post scares me. I already think I'm too busty (at a B cup)... You look beautiful, of course, but the thought of suddenly not having the body you've come to know and accept is a bit crazy!
ReplyDeleteWhen I first had to go out and buy B cup bras, I had a tiny freak out...and exercising suddenly became a whole new experience, so I feel you!
ReplyDeleteI hope the outpouring of comments convinces you that you aren't shallow being obsessed with your body changes. It's hard. Twenty five years since my last child, I still remember feeling the losses: the concave tummy and perky bust. You are young, fit and motivated, so your body WILL return, maybe not exactly, but close enough! Find a couple of styles you enjoy, and just sew up a new wardrobe for each phase; you deserve it. I think you look fabulous in all your MMM14 photos.
ReplyDeleteI lived in a couple of me made knit jumpsuits that zipped up the front, like a giant romper. I added a wide stretchy self band belt that I scrunched under my belly for shape. It was pretty cute ;) I chose colors that made me happy. Is it a sewers curse to remember what we wore 25 years ago????
Congratulations, and of course, it's all more worth it than words can describe.
Kathleen
First off - congratulations! What a big change. And then - thank you for being honest about your feelings around your changing body. Something tons of us think about, I'm sure, and don't feel comfortable admitting. That's a lot of change to get used to - and I imagine that just as something starts to feel "normal," your body will go and change again! I feel like I've seen a number of mother bloggers whose bodies do return to their pre-pregnancy shape (or close), and a friend of mine with a 9 month old daughter seems to be in that general ballpark. Never fear! I think the bigger question is whether or not you've got large enough scraps to make Matchy Matchy outfits!! (Am I the only one who is slightly amused at the thought of how horridly I could ham up the Matchingness, should I ever have children?) OK but in all seriousness, congratulations, I hope you are able to find the time and space to process the many, many changes going on!
ReplyDeleteI'd say: don't try to adjust, as it will be over very soon :)
ReplyDelete