PROGRESS AND PREGNANCY II

31 weeks along and feeling pretty exhausted, its like I’m in hibernation

mode. I can’t wait to meet him! The nursery is still a work in progress but

I know its going to look great when its finished. Planning the baby shower

is my fun task of the moment, I am doing a Peter Rabbit themed cocktail BBQ

with my closest friends and I have so many ideas so far, including a jelly

(this is what we Brits call jello) rabbit as my mum is sending over the mold

she used to make us jelly rabbit as kids. I had the chest with the full set

of Beatrix Potter books so this theme is very nostalgic for me.

The gingham maternity dress is nearly complete! Was a little hairy for a

second accommodating my ever growing bumps but I think its going to work out in the end.

I’m undecided on which way to go with the straps as it seems it might work

out as a strapless dress too which I don’t have in my wardrobe. Hopefully I

can wear it next spring/summer too if I make some minor adjustments. Will post

the finished dress very soon! As for my sewing list by season, I’m still not

sure what to sew for baby boy….

MISSION CURTAINS ACCOMPLISHED!

I finished all the curtains a couple weeks ago and have to say I love the fabric for the kitchen ones, so french and fun- exactly what I had in mind. I found it on my first trip to Joann's in the apparel section, although quite pricey for Joann's at 9/yd, me and husband agreed it would let the light in while giving privacy quite nicely. Since one of the windows has an AC unit I folded up and baste hemmed the curtain above it for the summer months. The living room and nursery curtains came out well too but the curtain wired I got from Ikea bow in the middle which doesn't do them justice. I loved the straight forward measurements of sewing curtains, compared to fitting clothes especially for maternity which i find stressful, but I did learn some things along the way:

1. A clear ruler is indispensable when measuring and pinning the hem.

2. You can't rely on the fabric having been cut in a straight line off the roll

3. Sewing large panels like curtains is physically exerting- maybe not an olympic worthy sport but still a challenge in my pregnant state!

On a recent day trip upstate to Poughkeepsie, NY for a babiesrus visit and olive garden gaff we frequented Walmart as usual so Husband could check out the sporting goods section and I could look at the craft and sewing supplies, where I found these two dress patterns A6123 and A6020:

I'm excited to use a real patterns rather than printing the downloadable ones or drafting my own from existing garments as I think it will be a smoother run. The ruffle dress seems like a good holiday dress to do in a sheeny fabric to wear with stockings and the picnic dress for the summer in a bold floral print a la Betty Draper. I've been having trouble finishing projects in time for suitable weather and feel a sewing project list by season might facilitate the process of buying fabric and executing the garment in time to wear it. Plus it should be easier to sew when I'm not at work even though looking after baby boy will be a full time job!