handmade beginnings :: 24 sewing projects to welcome baby & giveaway
May 24, 2010
Anna Maria did it. She wrote a sewing book that is both beautiful and practical, and one that makes you want to have more babies. It's the first of its kind. I predict a baby boom among the sewist crowd after Handmade Beginnings
Handmade Beginnings: 24 Sewing Projects to Welcome Baby
So, I found myself trusting Anna like one of those mama-friends. Anna wrote, in the introduction to the Mariposa Dress and Tunic project, "The transformation that you and your body will experience during and after pregnancy is nothing short of a gorgeous wonder. Ignore any thought that has you feeling otherwise." Yes! It has been an adjustment to come to view my life-creating and life-giving body, with it's extra belly skin and hard-earned stretch marks, as the "gorgeous wonder" that Anna Maria talks about. But you know what? It is. And the Mariposa Tunic, which you can make in either a maternity version or a post-baby, nursing version, really flatters the mama body.
I made mine in a lightweight cotton lawn, using the vertical lines of the fabric to create a lengthening effect along the torso. I love the styling - the gathering at the shoulders and the lower bodice works well for fuller-busted, nursing mamas, and it's very comfortable to boot. My sleeveless version started out as a dress, but like many of my would-be dress projects, it morphed into a tunic.
The pattern itself is extremely well written, with very clear diagrams. It was fun to sew, and I worked it up in about five hours or so. A few pattern notes - because I made the sleeveless version, I ended up bringing in the side seams underneath the arms. I don't have a very broad back, but I suppose that, had I made the version with sleeves, I wouldn't have had to make this adjustment, as sleeves do require some extra space for arm maneuverability. The only bummer about this pattern (and the other maternity/nursing patterns in the book) is that the sizes are limited to Small, Medium, and Large. I wear a Small/Medium in the tunic, so I can imagine that the sizing is a limiting factor to many women. It's the nature of patterns-in-a-book, though - you can only fit so much on those little paper inserts.
The brilliant modesty panel makes for super-easy nursing access. I tried it out for lunch on the town, and sure enough, nursing discreetly was a cinch. Finn approves.
It's also versatile! Quickly tie it in the front after nursing for a sweet look.
I'm not done yet! I'm off to find some fabric to whip up the Four Corners Blouse, and I've already cut the fabric to make Finn a pair of Quick Change Trousers with a modification for his large, cloth diapered bum.
And how can I resist the Baby in the Hood Jacket? The fabric is all lined up for this one, too. To see more of the book, check out this preview.
The nice folks at Wiley Publishing have sent me not one, but four books to give away to Sew Liberated readers! Here's how the giveaways will work: each day this week (Monday through Thursday) leave a comment. I'll draw a winner for each day and announce the winners on Friday, when I might be hosting Anna Maria for a little Q & A. (I say might because I've procrastinated in getting my questions to her, and she's a busy lady! Cross your fingers, though!)
Check out the other book tour stops when you get the chance!
May 3~ Craft
May
4~ Indie Fixx
May
5~ Sew
Mama Sew
May 6~ Pink Chalk Studio
May 10~
Wise
Craft
May 14~ House on Hill Road
May 16~ Purl Bee
May
18~ All Buttoned Up
May 19~ Alabama
Chanin Journal
May 20~ Homemade by Jill
May
21~ True Up
May
22~ Oh,
Fransson!
May 23~ Prudent Baby
May 24~ Sew
Liberated
May 25~ Handmade by Alissa
May
26~ Hazelnuts
May 27~ Petite
Purls