Archive for the ‘Tips & tutorials’ Category

Gosh it’s taken me so long to get this pattern ready for you guys (literally a few months), but I really wanted it to be perfect because I’m trying something a little new for some of my tutorials. A lot of people ask me for much more complicated tutorials than I can really explain without actually providing a pattern, so I’m trialing offering you guys some full size patterns to download. What do you think? Great huh?

So anyway, it’s in PDF form, with instructions and diagrams and a full size pattern graded to sizes S, M and L, that you can print off and tape together. It’s actually in the exact same format as my PDF tutorials, and the patterns for my nursing top and nursing PJ’s, so if you’ve bought those sewing patterns from me in the past you’ll be familiar with the way they work :)

The top is a wrap around maternity top made with 4 way stretch, Jersey fabric. I originally made two of these tops for one of my fabulous friends when she was pregnant, and though I’d like to claim that the design is mine, it really isn’t. It’s a knockoff of a gorgeous Isabella Oliver maternity top, that my friend really liked… but let’s just admit it straight off that that top is way way too expensive! So anyway, after spending some time drafting the pattern and making hers, I realised what an unbelievably easy top it was to make, and really wanted to share it with you guys!

Of course, digitizing a full size pattern takes a lot of time and effort, which is why I’ve been reluctant to do it in the past, and why it’s taken me so long to get this post up, but if you guys like it, then it was totally worth it! So let me know what you think ok?

The top’s concept is simple, it just has two really long sashes that you wrap around you until you get the look you want. Of course the really cool thing is that you get a perfectly fitted look no matter how pregnant you are. Genius.

So if you want to make one of your own, download the FREE pattern and getting sewing!! And hey if you have any preggers friends, let them know too :)

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This is a crazy quick refashion – no joke. 10 minutes max, and that was with Bunny “assisting” me (read: pulling all my sewing gear off the table) along the way! I got this idea when the hunt for the perfect cowl scarf and leg warmers had me coming up blank… I have a terrible habit of deciding I want an ultra specific item of clothing, and once you do that, you’re pretty much guaranteed of being dissapointed with pretty much everything you come across! I guess that’s why I’m better suited to design :)

Anyway, want to try this super quick winter accessory refashion? Just follow my 3 easy steps below…

I know… easy peasy right? ps. you might remember seeing these leg warmers before here. Endless possibilities! p.p.s. I’m not glaring at you… it’s just the sun!! hehe

Cardigan: Made by me (get the tutorial here)
Top: Cue
Skirt: Motherhood Maternity
Lace up booties: Relativity via Von Maur
Cowl scarf & Leg warmers: Made by me (get the tutorial here)

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I don’t normally take the time to get an outfit photo on a Sunday (everythings a little hectic in my house before church!! probably due to my inability to get dressed in a timely manner…), but somehow I made an effort this weekend, because I promised I’d show you some of my “maternity wear” plus it was so misty and gorgeous outside that I couldn’t resist taking a photo or two. I’m just so happy they came out… the fog was actually pretty dense so I was concerned nothing would come out… no-one can tell me Iowa isn’t gorgeous…

Meanwhile, I discovered another blog that I now love called Idee Geniale. French Canadian style dynamo? YES!  I love Mel’s sense of style and I’m really struck by all the amazing headpieces she wears. So of course, bit of style chain about to happen… I decided to try wearing one too, but don’t own any, so I quickly “made” this one in the 5mins before we left home. I say “made” because honestly there was very little actual making here… I literally pinned a broach that I love to an elastic headband, and voila, headpiece! I really had to laugh about the number of people who asked me where I got it!!

Headband: Made by me
Cardigan: Witchery
Dress: Motherhood Maternity
Tights: Hue via Younkers
Boots: Steve Madden via Von Maur

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I love it when a DIY project is fast and easy! I got an email from a lovely gal the other day asking how she could make her own leggings, and it gave me the idea for this refashion. It’s fast, it’s easy and its perfect if you’re a beginner or have limited time to sew (which if you have a toddler like me, then you do!!).

See I wouldn’t lie to you would I?? That was super easy right?

Plus since these leggings were made from old trackies, they are super soft and comfy. I’m totally living in these this week!

Tunic Top – Gap Body
Leggings – refashioned from old track pants
Flats – Old Navy

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Wearing: Megan Nielsen wrap cardigan, Sass and Bide corduroys (refashioned to be maternity jeans), Jessica Simpson boots, Mimco headband

I know a lot of you have been asking for examples of more ways to wear my wrap cardigan, so I thought I’d share another little one I came up with. This seriously is the best cardi in the world…  I simply took the two bottom corners and tied them behind my back, then tucked the knot under, and voila – some kind of awesome cross over top!! After looking at these photos I’ve realised that I could also have tucked in that dangling bit of fabric in the front for a slightly different look… but I still like it this way. If you haven’t already downloaded the tutorial you can get it here.

Even better I feel like it goes really nicely with my refashioned maternity pants. In case you’ve forgotten, I took a pair of really comfy corduroys and transformed them into maternity pants. Click here to get the tutorial if you’d like to try it yourself. Funnily enough, looking back at the photos in that tutorial I can see that I was still quite morning sick… shudder… so glad to be over all of that now!!

Unfortunately after taking these photos we went out for a coffee and I fell over whilst holding Bunny, and pulled pretty much every muscle in my already stretched and strained body. sigh. I guess desperately trying to protect her and the baby was more than I could physically handle. Lots of crying. About 2 seconds after I’d stopped crying my hubby turned to me and said “Ok so no more high heels till the baby comes ok?”. big sigh. Then more crying as I realised the reality of being banned from wearing heels (I’m pregnant I cry for pretty much everything). Then I remembered I fell over at the exact same time in my last pregnancy… and was banned from heels after that point too. even bigger sigh. So I guess I’m learning a lesson the hard way… after 7 mths my centre of gravity is just too crazy for high heels. The real tragedy is that I’m actually totally awesome at walking in high heels, and these spills are ruining my reputation! I know that sounds like an odd thing to say, but I’ve been wearing heels since I was really young and I’ve never ever had an issue with them. Walking or running, through rain, over cobble stones, going uphill, downhill, stairs, standing all day, over long distance, I’ll take them any height… whatever, I can do it.  Except apparently when I’m pregnant. It’s totally rocking my world… Pathetic aren’t I?!

But don’t worry, I really feel fine now and I’ve been to the doctor and everything is totally ok, little boy is pretty well protected in there!!

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