Michelle, ma belle... tres bien ensemble
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Michelle ma belle, sont des mots qui vont très bien ensemble,

Tres bien ensemble

CAN NORMAL SEWING PATTERNS WORK FOR MATERNITY WEAR?

7/7/2014

6 Comments

 
*Only Nat is pregnant! :-) I am sewing the regular pattern version and she is adapting the pattern to accommodate her bump. :-) 

This question was never intended to be what these posts were about. The original idea was to sew 'together' (that is virtually as we are on different continents) - and learn from each other. We have similar height and shape - and therefore similar issues with patterns (bum, hips mainly). Fast forward three months from the original idea, a little adapting had to be done - to accommodate a (fast) growing bump. 

So the aim is still to sew the SAME normal pattern, but the choice is probably more limited as we have to be able to adapt for maternity wear. In between the posts, we email each other of course talking about the process, what we learn, how we get on, modifications we are considering but also potential new patterns we should try. We will probably post one post together with our final garment, and another one explaining the modifications made to adapt them to our current shapes. 

Our first pattern is the TOVA from Wiksten. The patterns has already been adapted by pregnant sewers a few times, so we knew it was possible - a safe bet. 


And as expected it works for both of us, with a minimum of modifications to be honest, and without changing the look/shape of it. It is an easy to wear top/dress, full of beautiful finishing touches. There are a couple of tricky sewing points (attaching the front and the collar mainly). 


Made In Home
Picture



It is of course a shape that works very well for our shape - a A-line top with good proportions, a nice neckline, and it is really super comfortable to wear.It is a simple tunic, a gathered yoke and gathered 3/4 length sleeve - that can be easily adapted to any style.

This is both our first time sewing Jenny’s patterns. We already talked about finishing details but the attention to them is amazing: the way she finishes hems & cuffs for instance. Her design feels refined and it felt like we were making high quality garment as we worked through her instructions.

Picture


Made In Home
We would rate this an intermediate pattern - there are few tricky bits and a lot of finishing to do, especially if you go for French seams as we did. However it is quite a quick sewing project to get a top that will always be a classic shape in the end. We can definitely see more Tovas in our future! 

Have you made a Tova? What was your experience? For our own modifications, check out our blogs in the course of the week! We have chosen our next pattern, now comes the choice of fabrics - always an exciting part!
6 Comments
Teresa link
7/6/2014 10:41:33 pm

Ooh...these both look great! I am probably the only sewing blogger who hasn't sewn a tova, and I think I need to :)

Reply
Michelle link
7/8/2014 01:27:00 am

I hope you do! It's a very well done pattern, and the resulting dress is wonderfully easy to wear!

Reply
Jenny link
7/7/2014 12:49:09 am

These are fantastic! I actually just used the Colette Moneta pattern to make a maternity dress for my friend - it worked out really well. I raised the waistline a little to be above her bump, and then made the skirt into a maxi! Worth a go, especially as it's a one-evening project :)

http://cashmerette.blogspot.com/2014/06/Moneta-maternity-maxi.html

Reply
Michelle link
7/8/2014 01:27:55 am

GREAT IDEA! I'll have to be sure Nat knows about the Moneta, if she hasn't already read your comment. :-D

Reply
crab&bee link
7/7/2014 06:16:20 am

You're so lucky - I've always wanted a fit buddy! How did you find each other? Nice job on your Tovas :)

Reply
Michelle link
7/8/2014 01:31:00 am

It is nice to have somebody with the same fit issues to bounce ideas-off! We started talking through our blogs a couple years ago. Over time, we realized that we're similar height/shape/size. The internet in its full glory. :-D

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