GUEST POST | Sew Caroline featuring a Tutorial from The Chic Girl's Guide

Hello, mah dears! SEVERAL months ago, I contacted Caroline, author of the Sew Caroline blog to see if she wanted to feature a fashion project using a tutorial idea from my book, The Chic Girl's Guide to a One-of-a-Kind Wardrobe. Caroline features sewing tutorials and pattern design and I thought she'd be the perfect fit to demonstrate how to take a sewing tutorial idea and revamp it to fit her personal style and ideas. She chose the Sleeve Addition tutorial on page 73. You can see the full post on her blog, Sew Caroline.

    

I didn't have a sleeveless top in mind to transform, so I took some of my black faux leather fabric I snagged at Girl Charlee and make another April Rhodes Riding Peplum + added sleeves to this! I'll be honest, I love the IDEA behind my project (Lace + Leather) but the darts didn't turn out as wonderfully as I had hoped (and I am sure it is because the weight/hand of the fabric I used). I think before I wear it out in the eye of the public I'll make some adjustments. See this post to look at how the darts are supposed to lay.

 

For the sleeves, I used the outer layer of an old lace tunic from Target I had in my closet that had grown a wee bit too small (oops ;)). I grabbed a sleeve block from another pattern I had lying around my studio and went to town.

   

The back of this top features a fun exposed zipper. I've been loving exposed zips lately (ahem...) and want to try to incorporate one into a Sew Caroline pattern in the future!

SO! There ya go, my Kristina J-inspired Riding Peplum! Be sure to grab a copy of Kristina's book HERE* if you want to be inspired by her lovely creations as well! *affiliate link

 

Guest Post: Anthromollogies

Good afternoon, dahlings! This week I'm busy with professional responsibilities, so I was really excited when the ever lovely Molly at Anthromollogies agreed to help me out over here with an informative guest post on dressing to the nines while sporting a baby bump ('cuz haven't we all struggled with this when our turn came??)

And of course, Molly doesn't disappoint! Hope you enjoy reading this post as much as I did.

Molly

I'm so happy to be guest blogging for the uber talented and always fashionable Kristina J today!! Thanks so much for the invite, woman!! Kristina asked if I wouldn't mind sharing my thoughts on maternity fashion since, well, I'm kind of 26 weeks pregnant with my fourth....a little man, making our brood even on both sides. Apparently my husband and I are extremely fair :). So if you all don't mind I'll share my own personal do's and don'ts of maternity wear and tell you the all good, bad and the NO WAY SHOULD YOU EVER WEAR THAT WHEN YOU'RE PREGNANT info you need to know. Deal?

First thing to know about being pregnant is that EVERYONE AND THEIR MOTHER has advice for you, from birth plans to nursing bras, to feeding schedules and labor induction methods. The advice you get on maternity wear should come from a trusted source, or believe me....you'll look back at pics from your pregnancy wondering who put your pants on a Holstein?!

So what is "the good" when you're pregnant?

1. Dresses. I thank my lucky pregnant stars that Maxis/Flowy dresses are as in as they are this season. Let me qualify here by saying that the best Maxis for a pregnant woman have a princess seam or drawstring to cinch over the bump. Otherwise, you get this uni-boob-bump action happening and it's not so cute. If you can't find a maxi with some sort of cinching above the bump, than do your own cinching with a belt. As the bump gets bigger and bigger and breathing real estate harder and harder to find, go for a skinny belt.

Wearing: Dress-Anthropologie Harrington Sound, Cardi-Target, Belt-J.Crew Skinny, Shoes-Anthropologie Peacock Plumed Sandals, Necklace-Vintage, Bag-Anthropologie Slate Saddlebag

2. Skirts with elastic waistbands. Wear 'em low for a few month, than wear them high up and nipped in towards the end. I've found a few of them this season that are actually non-maternity "dresses" (instead of the jersey band hugging the boobs, it hugs the belly.)

3. Banded hems on the bottom of your tops will allow you to wear regular non-maternity skirts up high, while showcasing the bump as it nips/tucks in below. This is a good thing.

Wearing: Skirt-Anthropologie Falling Freesia, Top-ATL Banded Ruffle Top, Necklace-Anthropologie Verveine, Shoes-Anthropologie Precious Metal Wedges

4. Own at least one bump-hugging dress. And remember, jersey is your maternity friend.

Wearing: Dress-Anthropologie Layered column Dress, Shoes-Dolce Vita, Cardi-J.Crew Ethereal Ruffle, Necklace-Anthropologie Raffia Bauble, Earrings-Anthropologie Occluded Hoops

5. Layering looks good all the time. Yes, even when you're pregnant. Adds visual interest and color, covers back-"pudge", and creates shape around the bump.

And now for the bad.

1. Wearing things too big....like a dress that covers everything without creating any shape just makes you look....well, big, instead of pregnant.

2. Forgetting your own personal style. You're still you, just enhanced....don't completely change your style because you've got a bump. Sure, there are more hurdles to get over with weather and comfort to consider, but you can still stay true to your style while pregnant. I haven't bought one maternity specific item this pregnancy; my current "maternity" wardrobe is from my regular go-to stores. What I'm saying is....you have so many choices these days ...don't pigeon-hole yourself into buying really expensive maternity tops and dresses that aren't really your style when you could find items from your usual sources that will work.

3. One more bad....not spending any money on yourself while your pregnant. I do have friends that literally HATE their maternity wardrobe but refuse to buy anything new because they're frugal, or they don't see the point. However, they don't feel good about themselves, and it shows. That's a mistake. If you look good, you feel good. And your baby needs you to feel good. Plus, if you buy clothing to wear while pregnant that's your style....you'll still wear it after the double occupancy is over, during postpartum, when feeling good about your body for some women is even harder than when you're pregnant. So think about it this way....you're investing in a healthy pregnancy and a healthy postpartum experience. And that's smart.

And on that note, I will bid you all adieu. If you haven't already done so, pop on over to visit me and my bump here. I'd love to see you there! Thanks once again for having me, Kristina!

xoxo Molly