WARDROBE: Maternity Style: 23 Weeks

If you've been readig my blog for a while, you know I'm a big believer that you don't need much money to have style and live a creative life! Living in the Midwest, you hear a lot about hardwork and making ends meet, but it drives me up a wall when I hear people brag about how they don't need nice things. I will be the first one to raise my hand and say, "I NEED NICE THINGS!" (Okay, so I don't neeeed them, but I wither a little without them.) And I also don't need much money. I promise you- my lack of funds is the biggest source of inspiration and creativity I have.

So, when listening to older moms reminisce with me about how they only had two or three maternity items to wear during their pregnancies, I felt a little pit growing in my stomach, and wondered how I was going to maintain my style as my belly grew. I started out by ambitiously purchasing a few vintage sewing patterns- the kind from the early '60s with lots of style variations to them. Then, of course, I had to get some fabric and learn how to sew! This dress was made from a thrifted bed sheet that I scored for $1, and the dress was a simple pattern that a novice seamstress like me could easily fit together. And how cute is it? Cute and comfy.

I also made a top from this same pattern, with a variation on the neckline and shoulders. I'll share soon, and show you what pattern I used.

O U T F I T   D E T A I L S :

dress: made by me from vintage pattern | socks: Hue
shoes: thrifted | hat: Secret Past (Cuyahoga Falls, OH)

WARDROBE | Maternity Style - 22 Weeks

Jumpers are a favorite wardrobe staple for me, due mainly to their versatility, but also for their little-girl vibe. I swear I'm more inspired by vintage children's fashion than anything. That'll make shopping for baby clothes a breeze, but maternity clothes? Yeah, not so much.

When I found this dress on clearance at ASOS, I knew I had to snatch it up right away. I bought it during my previous pregnancy, and even though that ended before I started showing, I knew this dress would be good for any season. Wear a blouse under it, a sweater or blazer over it, pair it with tights and boots, or go bare-legged with a pair of sandals. Jumpers are amazing.

O U T F I T   D E T A I L S

jumper/dress: ASOS Maternity | shirt: thrifted | socks: past of my high school uniform!
shoes: a now defunct Etsy shop | hat: Wear It Again Patty on Etsy

WARDROBE | Maternity Style - 21 Weeks

Feeling better, and feeling bigger! After spending two and a half weeks in Phil's gym clothes, and literally being too sick to look at myself, I felt a bit like a caterpillar coming out of its cocoon when I finally was able to brush my own hair, focus on my reflection in the mirror, and put on a dress again. And a pregnant caterpillar at that! That baby did a lot of growing while I wasn't looking.

I've been wearing maternity clothes a lot more often now, and sigh every morning when I look at a closet full of pretty clothes that don't fit. But this morning I found this dress that I featured in a wardrobe post back in the Summer of '09. Elastic waist, fuller skirt, and roomy bodice? All make for a good dress to wear while pregnant or not!

O U T F I T   D E T A I L S :

dress: Etsy (too long ago to know the shop) | belt: Dillards | shoes: thrifted
glasses: Etsy frames, prescription lenses

WARDROBE | Maternity Style - 16 Weeks

Wahoo! We've made it all the way to 16 week! To me, this means only four more weeks before we discover whether the little being growing inside of me is a boy or a girl. Couldn't be more excited.

In the meantime, I've been wading my way through frustrating sewing patterns (I'm much more used to reading blueprints!), attempting to alter patterns, and breathing a sigh of relief that my first creation turned out well! Welcome to my hand-made maternity style. I'm hoping there will be lots more creations to come!

I started and finished this dress last Saturday, as I was really motivated to have a fun dress to wear on Easter Sunday. Reminds me of being a little girl and the excitement that came with getting a new frock for the Spring holiday.

I found the fabric on Etsy (Which, by the way, it's pretty tough to nail down multiple yards of the same vintage fabric there! Lots of time involved!), and also purchased the maternity pattern on Etsy. My mother and I did some tweaking to the pattern using this website, and found that it worked out pretty well! I did have to take it in a bit when the bodice was done, but better too much fabric than not enough!

So exciting! I'm a seamstress now! Check out my happy dance below, if you will.