I keep meeting and hearing about women who continue to do amazing things while they are pregnant. Those who keep jogging through month 8, those who continue to dance, jog, do yoga, stand on their heads.
Me not so much.
I finished the blue jersey dress but haven’t gotten around to taking a picture of it yet. And I sketched out the drawing for my next New York painting last weekend, but I’ve been too tired in the evenings to break into the paints yet.
Mostly I come home, stretch out on the couch, and spend the evenings fiddling around on the computer:
Yes, there are some summer/maternity things I’d still like to make. But mostly I’ve been thinking about fall/post-maternity sewing. I’ve been eagerly following Mary Nanna’s non-planned SWAP, and Amanda’s post-maternity sewing. I’ll admit I’m jealous that she knows exactly how long it will take for her body to return to normal. Personally, I’m not even sure what “normal” is anymore. And it feels like too much of a risk to make things to fit my old shape. Do I really want to find in October or November that the skirt I made is never going to fit and I’ve wasted a perfectly good piece of fabric? Not really.
The pattern review wardrobe contest calls for 4 tops, 4 bottoms, 1 free choice, and 1 “topper” that can be worn with all the others. I think, though, that a better wardrobe for me is 2-3 tops, 2-3 bottoms, and 2-3 cardigans. I wear a zip- or open-front sweater pretty much every day, summer or winter, for the temperature control and the extra pockets, and I am always looking for more. It has to be stretchy (not a woven jacket) to give me enough arm mobility for experiments. Hip-length seems to be the most versatile. Oh yeah and I might have washed and shrank my black cafe cardigan from last year so I am down one hip-length open-front black top.
This layout was mostly about playing with colors. I’m not really sure about the patterns. Probably I will end up making 3 of the same mid-length A-line skirt, since that is my favorite shape to wear, and 3 more cafe cardigans. (The teal one is going to be a cafe cardigan with a hood, and I might go ahead and make that this summer since it is open in the front and can be worn just fine with a large protruding belly.) Also the tops may all turn out to be drapey tunic-length cowlnecks. But I thought I’d make an effort to branch out into some more different shapes, at least in my hypothetical sewing. The poofy-lapel jacket for the orange wool in the top right is the biggest departure. It’s from this year’s February Burdamag and probably too dramatic for me, but I keep turning back to it so maybe.
Mary Nanna | 17-Jun-10 at 11:46 am | Permalink
ah yes what a conundrum – it took me 2 years to get back nearly to my pre-baby weight. I am pretty much the same weight but it’s all in different places. Not too different though – half an inch bigger here, a quarter there.
You’ll probably be one of those annoying people who is back in their skinny jeans 3 months later.
Lucy | 17-Jun-10 at 12:09 pm | Permalink
Ooo, if that purple skirt is the one I think it is (02-2010-104 ?), that’s an excellent choice. Fantastic pattern! Can I be nosy and ask what the pattern is for the raglan sleaved sweater in the top left-hand corner?
And, erm, hello!
Karin van D. | 17-Jun-10 at 12:34 pm | Permalink
I was back into my old size pretty soon, I think, well, within a couple of months, but I have to say: Things changed. I may have had about the same size in ready to wear, but my shape just was different than before, curvier in some places, maybe thinner in others. Just.. different. So I think if I had sewn for after my pregnancies, it would have felt just.. off if I tried it on. I am sure that could have been really frustrating and puzzling
Your choices look wonderful. I love the skirts you picked!
Lisette | 18-Jun-10 at 4:24 am | Permalink
I like your design board! My body reacted differently with each of my two pregnancies, so I can understand waiting to sew.
Mikhaela Reid | 18-Jun-10 at 7:15 am | Permalink
I had the same thought when reading Amanda’s blog–how lucky that she knows exactly what her body does post-pregnancy.
My body is such a mystery to me… I’ve gained about 42 pounds (and a gazillion stretch marks!), mostly in bust and belly but also a tiny bit all over. I’m technically due today, and I really have NO idea what my shape will be like afterwards. I’m hoping my uncut sewing patterns aren’t all the wrong size now–I know I won’t be able to do the 12s anymore but I’m hoping the 14s and 16s will still be doable or adjustable.
As for your lack of sewing energy, pregnancy is weird like that. I had a huge burst of energy in my second trimester and went sewing-crazy (though mostly stretchy things that I felt confident would work post-preggo as well) but when I hit the third trimester… TOTAL EXHAUSTION. NO SEWING.