Sew Over It Kimono - Maternity Style

As many of you can probably relate, finding maternity clothes can be a hard task! I don't want to spend a lot of money on them but I also need to be comfortable. And as my baby bump grows, my regular clothes are getting tighter and tighter. 

Thankfully as a sewist, I have the ability to sew maternity clothes that will fit and I will like. I have already remade the tops of a few over-the-belly pants and took older pairs of regular shorts and added an over-the-belly band. That's been helpful for sure! (I think the over-the-belly pants are so uncomfortable. I make my belly bands a little bigger while still holding my pants on me.)

Being the frugal person that I am, I REALLY don't want to make a lot of garments that will only be used in pregnancy (and for a time in post pregnancy.) I want things that I can adjust later to fit my new "regular" body. Therefore I have sewn a lot of tunics and dresses that have plenty of room to grow but will still be stylish afterward. 

As I looked through maternity clothing sites, I saw some kimono-style jackets and I fell in love. They looked so comfortable but stylish at the same time. And being that a kimono stays open, I can wear them no matter what my size!! 

Enter the Sew Over It Kimono Jacket....

I'm not even sure how I came across the pattern. I heard of Sew Over It, but had never made anything from their line before. The only thing I didn't like was that it was only available in PDF. Yuck. But I went with it. I'm not sure if it was the pattern or my printer, but there was a section of the PDF that was slightly off. The tester square measured correctly and most of the pieces matched up really well, but a small section was off about 1/4-1/2". Thankfully it was easy to draw out and fix what it should be. 

I used a fun retro floral print rayon crepe that I picked up from our pre-cut piece fabric deal earlier in the year. I love the color combination! I always think about rayon (challis especially) as being cool. This isn't. Yes, it could be my pregnancy hormones making me warmer but I thought this would have been a pretty cool fabric. Oh well, I still love it! 

Construction was pretty straight forward. The directions are easy to follow although I didn't pay attention to them too much. Definitely easy for a beginner to follow along. 

The only construction detail I did differently was that I squared off the front band at the hemline. The pattern calls for you to sew the front band to the kimono, then hem all the way around. I decided to fold the band right sides together at the hemline and sew till I met the printed fabric. Then clipped the corner and turned it right side out making a nice point. Then I sewed the hemline around the rest of the kimono. I did this because I thought it would drape nicely at the band and not have the chance of winging out. 

I loved the kimono so much that I'm making another! This time in a 4-ply silk from a NY designer. It's not available anymore, but if you were lucky enough to get a piece of it, you may want to try it for this too! I cut this one longer and used the self fabric for the band. While the silk kimono won't be as practical when I'm a mom, I can still wear it to work or out with hubby on a date night. Then quickly take off the jacket as soon as baby is with me! 

Speaking of baby -- he's growing every day and a very active little fellow! One more week till the 3rd trimester!

Have you sewn maternity clothes? Have any pattern suggestions for me?

Happy Sewing, 

Julie 

Made By A Fabricista: Seersucker for Summer

Hi Fashionistas!

I was so excited to sew with a beautiful yellow seersucker I found at Fabric Mart recently.  Here is the top I made:

You see, I have been the slowest to catch on to the cold shoulder trend. I know, its been around for a while and is continuing into fall fashions.  I was meeting my hubby for pizza one night and had some time to kill. So I decided to do some window shopping when I saw and tried on this RTW top.. and loved it. 

So.. I made a pattern... and found the perfect fabric.

And made my own version! I really do love the tent shape of this top. It is very different than the usual type of garments I make and wear, which typically tend to be more fitted.

The sleeves are so lovely.. here are some more pictures of the sleeve: 

I drafted a facing and modified the sleeves a bit by removing the band at the bottom and hemming them instead. 

I also made the straps a fixed length as opposed to adjustable.

Overall I am pretty happy with the way the top turned out.  I topstitched all around the neckline to ensure the facing was sitting down. 

I actually started making another version in a white cotton, but that one is still a work in progress. I may or may not get to wear that one this year!

I hope you enjoyed this make!  I am going to work on some maxi dresses next! Fall is coming!! Hope you are enjoying the cooler weather. I sure am!

See you soon

XOXO

-Vatsla from Fashion Behind The Seams

Made by a Fabricista: A Little Fall Sewing

Are you a current-season sewer?  Or like me, do you also like to create some garments for the upcoming season?  I like to do both!  For this month, I wanted to make a few transitional garments and when I found this gorgeous boucle, I knew exactly what I wanted to make! 

 Unfortunately the fabric I used is sold out, but here are some other options for you: Boucle Fabric

 

One of the things that make boucle fabrics so wonderful to work with is the natural fiber content(s). I am a huge fan of using natural fibers when I can and this one is a wool and cotton blend. (Although you can find some beautiful boucle fabrics with synthetic blends too.)

Here are links to the two patterns I used:

Lorie Jacket by StyleArc

Fringe Skirt by Angela Wolf

Both called for the use of Boucle so it was a win-win!

For the jacket, I interlined the entire body of the garment using fusible mediumweight Pellon interfacing. I chose against interlining the sleeves and am happy with that decision.  

                         

I did make some pattern adjustments for fit:

1.  Sloping shoulder adjustment

2.  Sleeve cap adjustment--this pattern has an unbelievably large sleeve cap and despite my best efforts, it was too much so I shaved some off to get this to look right

3.  Swayback adjustment   

   

   

  

To give this a more professional look, I added some interlinings:

1.  Used multiple layers of woven interfacing cut on the bias in the sleeve cap area to keep it from collapsing.  In addition to the 2 layers of interfacing, I also cut one layer of hair canvas.  This also supported the sleeve head and gave it what it needed so the sleeve didn't collapse.  

2.  Cut the self-bias tape 1/4" wider to give a bit more turn-under room.  

Styling changes: 

1.  I've made this jacket before and even though I love it, I don't think I need two jackets with self fringe on them. I eliminated the fringe, but added a bias-cut center front section. 

2. Since the skirt has self-fringe, I decided not to over do the fringe on the jacket. Too much is simply too much! 

3.  I used complimentary denim fabric for the trim on the jacket.  

Did you see my lining?  It is by Maggy London, also purchased from FM.  I truly wish I'd purchased about 10 yards of this!  I love the colors and cute linings make me happy!  

I can't tell you how pleased with how well this turned out!  I feel like it is a modern 'suit' that will be perfect worn together or as separates.  

Thanks for reading!  

Sue from Ilove2sew