Back from the brink…

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Bonjour peeps!

My apologies for being so quiet round these parts recently. I have a very good reason though. For the last week I’ve been laid low by a bout of fibroid pain. For those not in the know, a fibroid is a benign growth in the womb that usually is quite happy and chilled out until something sets it off. Something like this, for example….

Look at that – it isn’t even a cat!

Hehe – yep. I’m pregnant! I’ve been meaning to mention it for a while now, not least because the more eagle-eyed amongst you will notice the ever-increasing bump and ever-decreasing lack of side-on shots I’d be posting. But things kind of got in the way, like agonising fibroid pain! I’m now almost 18 weeks gone and all seems to be well.

Don’t worry – this won’t become a baby blog. But it may well become a quieter blog as i feel my way though this experience. But I do have a fabulous new maxi dress to show you and as soon as madame sunshine makes a rare appearance dans the jardin I’ll be whipping up some pics and sharing it here.

In the meantime I’ve been wistfully looking at some of my dresses and wondering if I’ll ever fit in them again! Anyone recommend any good non-maternity patterns (i.e. not parachute-style smocks) that might suit a growing bump?

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110 thoughts on “Back from the brink…”

  4. Congratulations! I can’t recommend any specific patterns sorry, I imagine you may want to get familiar with sewing jersey though x

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  7. Congratulations! How exciting!! I would highly recommend New Look 6802-I’ve never been pregnant but have made it twice, and it has a very flattering line around the belly region which I think would really work for maternity wear. It’s also jersey so super comfortable AND if you make the twist version the twisty part is actually an overlay – I have seen a version on a blog in which the part underneath the overlay was adapted so that the dress could be worn for breastfeeding (if that’s your preference). For my 2 versions I drafted a straight 3/4 sleeve rather than use the pattern versions. I blogged it yonks ago. Sorry for long comment but I adore this pattern :)

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  8. Ooh! And! Polka Dot Overload made tons of nice clothes when she was pregnant and I seem to recall she showed some ways to convert patterns for the growing belly. Sort of a Full Baby Adjustment :)

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  9. Oh, what lovely news! I’m so happy for you. Hope you’re feeling well enough to mostly enjoy these strange months.

    My OH assures me helpfully that the Burda 7378 I’ve made 3 times makes me look pregnant. There’s a lot of fabric in those empire line pleats and I reckon you could get away with it till month 5 (or six).

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  10. WOOOOHOOO!! Congratulations – you’re in for the ride of your life!

    You will also get sick of wearing jersey :-) . You’re welcome to borrow my maternity things when you get a bit more bumpy!

    Xx

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  11. Awwww JOANNE!!!!!!! That’s just the BEST news, congratulations! Hope the pain is under control now? I’m so thrilled and excited for you. Lots of love. xxxxx

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  13. WOW! Congrats!!!!!!!!!! I really hope you feel better soon– doesn’t sound like much fun! What about New Look 6022? It could work for a while, at least, and is very cute and loose!

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  14. Wonderful news, congratulations! I made a few things when I was pregnant with regular patterns; I looked for elasticated or empire waists, lots of built-in ease or stretchy fabrics. I know Megan Nielsen has quite a few maternity patterns. Burda Style usually has one issue a year that has a mini wardrobe which is rather nice. It might be worth looking through the archives.

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  15. Congratulations! The pattern lady who did the Darling Ranges dress has some nice maternity patterns that look like regular clothes, besides that I’d say go for the tunics that are made from jersey, they should see you through!

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  20. Congratulations! Any dress or shirt that has an empire waistline is a good bet for a non-maternity pattern because the material below the waistline is usually a little wider to begin with. I’ve been able to buy them in stores at my pre-pregnancy size and they fit great.

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  22. Aw, Joanne! That’s so lovely to hear. Do you know what, I had an inkling this was on the cards, I don’t know why. I guess because you are so fabulous and fabulous things deserve to happen to you. Can’t wait to hear about the journey! In my opinion, there is never a more lovely sight than a pregnant lady. Bring it on!

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  25. Congratulations! And fear not I’m as thin as I was Pre-babies – and I had two whoppers despite my small frame!
    I wore lots of normal clothes for most of my pregnancies. Look for patterns with empire line bodices or bodices with crossover details and a gathered skirt. This look pretty & casual non-pregnant & provide ‘growing room. I also loved low-slung pants and sheer billowy tops with a singlet underneath. Good luck!

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  26. Congratulations! I actually just finished my second version of New Look 6557. I made the waistband narrower, and I ditched the skirt and made my skirt out of a big rectangle that I gathered in the center front and center back. I’m not pregnant, but this is the one dress I own that I’ll actually still be able to wear when I am!

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  32. Wonderful news about the babe! And the 2nd trimester is the best! Hope the fibroids settle down, that’s not fun. During my 2 pregnancies I wore mostly jersey for comfort, that’s IMPORTANT. Take a look at the Jalie patterns, some of them are bump-friendly and won’t make you look like you’re wearing a tent! Enjoy this time, it’ll be quietest for some time to come!! ;D

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  36. Wow you guys… at some point I will get through and respond individually but just wanted to say thank you so much for all your lovely kind words! xxx

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  37. I always read your blog but haven’t commented before, I just wanted to say Congratulations, lovely news. I’m sure you’ll get back into your clothes, I found I got my waist back quickly enough but was breast feeding so tops were the thing I needed to think about, that’s where your separates will come in so handy!

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  38. Congratulations! :-)

    Maybe have a look at the Danielle dress on BurdaStyle.com – I’ve been thinking that would make a good adaptation for a maternity dress since it’s an empire waist one. (And it’s free, which is also handy)

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  43. Wow, congratulations!!! I sincerely hope you are feeling better and I certainly don’t mind some baby blogging! In terms of maternity wear, you can get by in regular dresses without defined waists (especially if you add a bit of length.) Did you see Zoe’s recent post with a maternity jersey top?

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    • YES I did Sigrid but was afraid to put my vote in for getting further information as I hadn’t announced it yet. But now I will go back and pester her for instructions! Thanks for the reminder and the lovely comment :)

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  44. EEEEEEEE!!! A BABY!!! Congrautlations you two! I certainly don’t mind baby blogging – Its always a bit magical. I’m so weirdly jealous of the maternity pattern sewing you’ll be doing! Good luck digging up patterns – I would suggest jersey (Megan Nielsen’s wrap top always looked cute to me)

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  47. Wow! Congrats! I too had a feeling that an announcement was on the cards. Dibs is the lady to ask about sewing when preggers, but also second the suggestion re the cotton & curls blog.

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    • Can you believe I might actually have imbibed those cocktails when pregnant at our meet up Tamsin? Whoops! Will defo check out your suggestions, thanks so much :)

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  49. Congrats! I’ve been reading for months but I don’t know if I’ve commented before. either way, baby news is a great reason to say hello and warm wishes!

    I’ll have to agree with the previous commenters who suggest checking out Megan Nielsen’s line. And second the separates recommendation as well. If you’re nursing, dresses can be rather challenging, and even if you’re not- things may be a bit uneven size-wise for a while. As if fitting wasn’t complicated enough!

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    • Thanks Tiffany! I actually have one of Megan Nielsen’s maternity patterns already – the Rie dress (which of course can also be a top). I think it’ll be a great addition :)

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  50. Congratulations!!!! That is very exciting news. It seems like all of blog world is pregnant at the moment. I am 27 weeks today due on October 7th.

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  55. Congratulations! Fab news. I am pregnant too, 14 weeks. My first sewing project is going to be the Sewaholic Crescent skirt made with a jersey waistband to accommodate the bump x Tabatha

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  56. OH MY GOOOOOOOD JUST SEEN THIS CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!! What fantastically amazing news!! So so happy for you Joanne, and welcome to the beginning of the most amazing phase of your life so far! Massive love you three xxx

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  58. Pingback: Groovy, baby! | Pincushion Treats

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