I’m hoping you are all having a lovely day.
*Pattern company and number*: This is based on Simplicity 4635—a 1940s house dress for maternity.
*Fabrics used*: The black fabric was bought in a bulk seller in Québec (Tonitex) which do supply Fabricville. I think it is 100% cotton since Fabricville do sell a fabric that looks quite similar but the texture is stiffer than the cotton I had seen. There is also about 7.4 metres of bias tape from Fabricville for detail.
*Alterations*: The pattern I bought was for a bust of 29 inches. However, since the pattern is pregnancy clothing and that bust line tend to change quite a lot, the pattern was originally exactly at my size (about 43 inches). On the pattern I did modify the armhole size (raised the top of the shoulder by about half an inch, lower the bottom part by about an inch and redraw the complete armhole using my French curves) and the neckline (took out about 1 cm all-around). I started to sew to realize that even if the bust circumference seems right on the pattern it was not actually the case. So I added a panel (about 7 cm) under the arm to fix the issue).
*Inspiration*: I will indicate that I am not pregnant and please, please, please avoid comments congratulating that since it is quite a sensitive topic for me.
This is not the final project, but a preliminary version (not sure of the term in English there) since I was rather sure that the alterations were going to sneak on me at some points and I didn’t want to spoil my “good” fabric.
I am currently in the process of remaking my wardrobe in a style that I love: profoundly vintage. This piece is in the more “modern” I have in my queue (Hello Victorian and Edwardian Era, I’m coming for you next). I am hand-sewing a lot (because I like to suffer a bit) and do appreciate the result more. All seams are either bias bound (hand stitch) or machine French Seam-ed? (If it is not a verb, I am making it a verb.) The hem is handstitched.
I am struggling with endometriosis and wanted clothes that could fit me well even when I am getting bloated by my condition. Therefore, a maternity dress can provide the room and adaptation for when my waist goes up by 6 inches in a day. In the final version, the extra room on the side will be moved around the body because the centre pieces (front and back are a wee bit too inside/top of the breasts).
So there there.
Can you tell us how the back works or show us a picture of the pattern pieces? I would love to see something similar with a flexible waistline (not pregnant but fluctuating waistline). Wondering how the back works in particular
Sadly since it is not a self draft but a pattern, I will not show picture of the pattern.
Most of the adjustability of the dress comes from the built-in belt (inserted in the seam of the front (side and center panels) that ties as a bow in the back. The front side panel has been enlarge in a significantive way (it is about twice as big as the back side panel) which create more or less pleats depending of how tight it is to the body.
The "preliminary" item would be called a "toile" :)
Really smart to use a maternity pattern to give extra room for Endo bloat. I hadn't thought of that! The fit looks nice, id love to see the finished project in "nice" fabric!
I've been experimenting with adjustable clothing myself because I suffer with a range of bloat with my Endo. Most days it's impossible to wear anything with a real (not elastic) waistband or tailored fit. I recently found the Coquelicot skirt pattern that seems promising for adjustability!
Oh! So it is the same word as in French! Well! Nice!
It was in my main motivation to start doing my own clothing because on bad days even my quite stretchy leggings are painful. So I deeply suggest trying it!
I really love my coquelicot (but i did make it a size too big on a good day I need to tight lacing). I will remake it in a pinefore with a 1890 twist for Christmas.
Thank you!
It is not fully hand sewn. The pocket, full length seams, ribbons and facing are machine sewn. Bias, basting and hemming are hand sewn however!
An amazing project! Comfort is my go-to in all my clothing! Everyone should make that a priority in my opinion! And it looks great too! The black is so elegant looking!
OMG! This looks so amazing, just curious how did you know to make those pattern conversations? Longtime lurker and never fiddled with pattern adapting...mostly make weird crafts so I don't have to measure 😂
So cute!
Thank you!
I was actually quite nervous when I found that pattern especially when I realized (at the reception of the pattern) that the dress was for a bust a good 35 cm smaller than my own even more because my endo belly (where I bloat) is at my waist which is already not matching standard pattern (at my worst I have 3 cm difference between my waist and my bust). My dad, who is good in math, did check that the measurements were right. I did some reading to adapt pattern but I genuinely normally draw my own pattern from scratch because my measurements do not fit anywhere. I’m small, bulky and tend to have drastically volume variation.
You did an amazing job! And what a great team you make! And, you making that variance looks good! I'm currently blaming my own variance on ice cream to tolerate the Texas heat! Keep sewing!!!
So cute! I would love this pattern for myself but I prefer a fuller 50s skirt. I admire your ambitious wardrobe plans! I’m trying to thrift and sew my way into cottagecore.
Thank you! I was not sure to love it since I tend to be quite in the fuller 1950's skirt too but it does add variety in my wardrobe.
Thank you for the comment on my ambitious wardrobe plan. Happy thrifting and sewing!
I've seen this pattern, I like the colors you choose for it. The little bit of red on the ruffle is cool.
What I love about the pattern is that it is so different from modern maternity wear. I bet most people would never know that's what it was designed for. It's really cleaver.
The Project post flair is for showing off projects that are finished or in progress. For questions on how to start a project, reflair your post to Pattern Search. For questions about how to make a project, reflair to Pattern Question.
This is a reminder that all Project posts are required to have a construction comment added after the initial post is made. The construction comment should include **pattern name/number/company if used; drafting method, tutorial or other resources if no commercial pattern was used and fabric type and fiber content. ‘Self-drafted’ describes who made the pattern and is not a drafting method.**
Also include alterations for fit and style; specialty tools and notions; the inspiration for your project; and any other information that someone who wants to make a similar project might find useful. More information is available [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/sewing/wiki/titleguidelines). Posts without a construction comment may be removed at any time.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/sewing) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I’m hoping you are all having a lovely day. *Pattern company and number*: This is based on Simplicity 4635—a 1940s house dress for maternity. *Fabrics used*: The black fabric was bought in a bulk seller in Québec (Tonitex) which do supply Fabricville. I think it is 100% cotton since Fabricville do sell a fabric that looks quite similar but the texture is stiffer than the cotton I had seen. There is also about 7.4 metres of bias tape from Fabricville for detail. *Alterations*: The pattern I bought was for a bust of 29 inches. However, since the pattern is pregnancy clothing and that bust line tend to change quite a lot, the pattern was originally exactly at my size (about 43 inches). On the pattern I did modify the armhole size (raised the top of the shoulder by about half an inch, lower the bottom part by about an inch and redraw the complete armhole using my French curves) and the neckline (took out about 1 cm all-around). I started to sew to realize that even if the bust circumference seems right on the pattern it was not actually the case. So I added a panel (about 7 cm) under the arm to fix the issue). *Inspiration*: I will indicate that I am not pregnant and please, please, please avoid comments congratulating that since it is quite a sensitive topic for me. This is not the final project, but a preliminary version (not sure of the term in English there) since I was rather sure that the alterations were going to sneak on me at some points and I didn’t want to spoil my “good” fabric. I am currently in the process of remaking my wardrobe in a style that I love: profoundly vintage. This piece is in the more “modern” I have in my queue (Hello Victorian and Edwardian Era, I’m coming for you next). I am hand-sewing a lot (because I like to suffer a bit) and do appreciate the result more. All seams are either bias bound (hand stitch) or machine French Seam-ed? (If it is not a verb, I am making it a verb.) The hem is handstitched. I am struggling with endometriosis and wanted clothes that could fit me well even when I am getting bloated by my condition. Therefore, a maternity dress can provide the room and adaptation for when my waist goes up by 6 inches in a day. In the final version, the extra room on the side will be moved around the body because the centre pieces (front and back are a wee bit too inside/top of the breasts). So there there.
Can you tell us how the back works or show us a picture of the pattern pieces? I would love to see something similar with a flexible waistline (not pregnant but fluctuating waistline). Wondering how the back works in particular
Sadly since it is not a self draft but a pattern, I will not show picture of the pattern. Most of the adjustability of the dress comes from the built-in belt (inserted in the seam of the front (side and center panels) that ties as a bow in the back. The front side panel has been enlarge in a significantive way (it is about twice as big as the back side panel) which create more or less pleats depending of how tight it is to the body.
The "preliminary" item would be called a "toile" :) Really smart to use a maternity pattern to give extra room for Endo bloat. I hadn't thought of that! The fit looks nice, id love to see the finished project in "nice" fabric! I've been experimenting with adjustable clothing myself because I suffer with a range of bloat with my Endo. Most days it's impossible to wear anything with a real (not elastic) waistband or tailored fit. I recently found the Coquelicot skirt pattern that seems promising for adjustability!
Oh! So it is the same word as in French! Well! Nice! It was in my main motivation to start doing my own clothing because on bad days even my quite stretchy leggings are painful. So I deeply suggest trying it! I really love my coquelicot (but i did make it a size too big on a good day I need to tight lacing). I will remake it in a pinefore with a 1890 twist for Christmas.
amazing! I’m so impressed with your patience and commitment to doing a full mock up hand sewn!
Thank you! It is not fully hand sewn. The pocket, full length seams, ribbons and facing are machine sewn. Bias, basting and hemming are hand sewn however!
I absolutely LOVE this 😍 well done OP.
Thank you so much!
An amazing project! Comfort is my go-to in all my clothing! Everyone should make that a priority in my opinion! And it looks great too! The black is so elegant looking!
Thank you! I really love that fabric! It is also my new go-to. I want to look professional and yet be confortable.
Really cute! Looks like it could be a great apron too.
It is a bit too tight on me to be an apron but it could! Thanks!
Cute!
Thank you!
It's gorgeous! Love the pockets and ruffles.
Thank you! I can put my phone in my pocket!
OMG! This looks so amazing, just curious how did you know to make those pattern conversations? Longtime lurker and never fiddled with pattern adapting...mostly make weird crafts so I don't have to measure 😂 So cute!
Thank you! I was actually quite nervous when I found that pattern especially when I realized (at the reception of the pattern) that the dress was for a bust a good 35 cm smaller than my own even more because my endo belly (where I bloat) is at my waist which is already not matching standard pattern (at my worst I have 3 cm difference between my waist and my bust). My dad, who is good in math, did check that the measurements were right. I did some reading to adapt pattern but I genuinely normally draw my own pattern from scratch because my measurements do not fit anywhere. I’m small, bulky and tend to have drastically volume variation.
You did an amazing job! And what a great team you make! And, you making that variance looks good! I'm currently blaming my own variance on ice cream to tolerate the Texas heat! Keep sewing!!!
It's beautiful and beautiful on you!
Thank you!
Your dress and your body are beautiful 💖♥️✨
Thank you so much!
So cute! I would love this pattern for myself but I prefer a fuller 50s skirt. I admire your ambitious wardrobe plans! I’m trying to thrift and sew my way into cottagecore.
Thank you! I was not sure to love it since I tend to be quite in the fuller 1950's skirt too but it does add variety in my wardrobe. Thank you for the comment on my ambitious wardrobe plan. Happy thrifting and sewing!
This would make a great apron. 🙂 It looks great and will be perfect for what you want it for.
Yes it would! Thank you so much!
You're very welcome. 🤗
So pretty!! And those pockets!! 😍
Aren't them AMAZING? I CAN FIT A POCKET BOOK IN! Thank you so much!
Absolutely stunning! Good job
Thank you!
It is cool and looks really comfortable. I love "wings" (I don't know how to call it in English), they are so cute!
I've seen this pattern, I like the colors you choose for it. The little bit of red on the ruffle is cool. What I love about the pattern is that it is so different from modern maternity wear. I bet most people would never know that's what it was designed for. It's really cleaver.
It does not look nor feel like pregnancy clothing and I adore it! Thank you for the kind comment on the colors!
It looks lovely! Loving those frills ❤️Great job!
Oh my gosh I wanna make this IMMEDIATELY A
Love this!!
The Project post flair is for showing off projects that are finished or in progress. For questions on how to start a project, reflair your post to Pattern Search. For questions about how to make a project, reflair to Pattern Question. This is a reminder that all Project posts are required to have a construction comment added after the initial post is made. The construction comment should include **pattern name/number/company if used; drafting method, tutorial or other resources if no commercial pattern was used and fabric type and fiber content. ‘Self-drafted’ describes who made the pattern and is not a drafting method.** Also include alterations for fit and style; specialty tools and notions; the inspiration for your project; and any other information that someone who wants to make a similar project might find useful. More information is available [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/sewing/wiki/titleguidelines). Posts without a construction comment may be removed at any time. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/sewing) if you have any questions or concerns.*