So I mentioned I’ve been sewing more for me, right? Well I have. And this was actually the first recent project I sewed for myself that was a success – the trusted Washi Dress by Made by Rae. Before this dress, I tried 2 other projects that I ended up scrapping. Trust me, I have sewing fails too! So after that, I decided to turn back to the trusted Washi because I knew that I couldn’t go wrong. It’s nice to have a pattern like this that you know will boost your confidence and restore your faith.
I made my first Washi dress as a tester last August and I called it Washi in Blue. Well it just so happens that this dress is blue too, so I call it Washi in Blue TWO. Creative huh!? I also realized that I’m wearing the same necklace and same cardigan in both photo shoots. Hah! I need some new accessories.
*smolder*
Anyways, I rave all about the pattern in my previous Washi post and my feelings haven’t changed a bit. This is an AWESOME pattern, especially if you’re new to sewing for women but want to give it a try. It’s quick and easy and oh-so-cute. I love the style, it’s so flattering, in fact, I haven’t seen a version of the Washi that hasn’t looked great!
The fabric is called Squiggles from the Dear Stella Maasai Mara line. I actually bought this back in September or October with a Washi in mind and it took me only, oh, 8 months to actually make. 😛 One of the great things about this fabric is that I actually packed this dress up in a suitcase, took it out all wrinkly, hung it up overnight and when I took it out the next day to iron it, it was wrinkle-free!!
This dress is not a maternity dress, but I realized pretty quickly that the style is pretty accommodating for growing bellies as well. The dress I made last August still fits me! I love how fitted it is in the bodice and how much room there is in the skirt to either gloss over a belly you’re trying to hide (trust me, I had a belly before I was preggo), or make room for one you’re proud of 🙂 And I know that I’ll be able to wear this dress way after I’m pregnant too!
Because my bust size had changed since I got pregnant, I decided to go a size up (to an XL). But after I sewed it up, the bodice ended up being way too big and it would gape open with the slightest lean forward. That was no good, so I ended up taking in the bodice 1.5 inches on each side. Now it probably resembles a large in the bodice, but an XL in the skirt, so it’s got extra room for tummy. I also kept the length longer than I normally would so that when my belly got bigger, the dress would still be long enough to wear without leggings or pants. If I were to make another dress for my maternity months, I’d probably cut the front bodice and back pieces in the large size and the front skirt piece in an XL and maybe deepen the pleats to make it fit the width of the bodice.
Since I haven’t figured out the best way to shirr on my machine, I decided to make a casing for elastic. It looks different from shirring of course, but it was easy and allows for that snug yet comfortable fit.
As for the neckline, I decided to raise it a little to keep myself well covered, but widened it a bit. Kind of like Kristin’s famous scoop neckline, but a little less wide?
At almost 27 weeks, these pictures were taken just a few days after these photos, but I look smaller. Funny how different outfits do that.
Anyways, I have a few more things to share that I’ve sewn for myself and a few more on my to do list. You guys are going to get so sick of pictures of me! And trust me, I don’t like taking these pictures. But I figure at the very least, I’ll have some photos of my growing belly!
Have you been sewing for yourself lately? Have any maternity patterns you recommend? What are other flattering maternity looks you love?
you and mie 
it’s adorable! I love that you added the casing in the back instead of the shirring- I actually like the look of that a lot better and I’ll definitely do that on my next washi. 🙂 Did you end up lining the bodice? As for maternity tops… my sister made a cute one using Rae’s spring ruffle top tutorial- pretty quick sew too.
I didn’t line the bodice, just did the facings like the original pattern. I will probably do a partial lining for the bodice next time though. And I’ll have to check out the spring ruffle top you mentioned. Thanks!!
Yes Cherie, I’ve been making clothes for myself recently, just sewed a dress (picture on cover of Machiko Kayaki’s book: “Dress Making at Home”) and now I’m doing project from Stylish Dress Book by Yoshiko Tsukiori. Do you have Stylish Dress book? Most projects from that book are loose fit, you maybe can transform it to maternity tunic or dress :). Btw, your washi dresses are gorgeous! If I have washi pattern, I’ll raise the neckline area too to cover my collarbone 🙂
Cool! I don’t think Japanese patterns will accomodate my size (if I’m a Large by American standards). I’ve also heard they tend to favor the more petite/thin figures – which is probably perfect for you! You should try the Washi! It’s really easy and fun to make 🙂
it’s so gorgeous! that fabric is so perfect for the dress, match made in heaven. You look amazing!
You look beautiful, Cherie! The Washi dress is AWESOME. The fit and design, I swear Rae made the pattern for me! 😉 I made two so far and I’m working on my third. The only change I made is making a bigger scoop neckline. I finally got pics so I’ll be posting within the next few days. Yup… this pattern is a keeper.
Ooh, can’t wait to see yours! And yes, the pattern is so perfect for pretty much everyone – I love it!
Reblogged this on Amanda's Words / starfire8me and commented:
THAT IS A VERY PRETTY DRESS. THE EDGES I CAN SEE, ARE VERY CLEAN. IT FORMS YOUR BODY NICELY. WAY TO GO!!!
I love this Washi Dress! It’s so cute and the fabric is perfect! Thanks for sharing!
Wow! It looks fantastic on you! And such a great fabric choice!
Very cute! It looks fantastic on you! I’ve recently discovered how perfect Washi is for maternity also — both of mine still fit, though I wish I had a slight FBA so there was a little more room for my exploding chest!
(And BTW, you look adorable. I think we’re due on the same day, and I can only wish that I looked as small and cute as you do. I look like an elephant in comparison!)
I love it! My fav pattern to date. You look beautiful!
I love it. I would love to sew it. It is so hard to find maternity cloth for my in japan 😦
It’s lovely. Everyone knows about the Wiksten top but I would have thought that would make a comfy maternity top and its so simple to run up. Love your blog and good luck with the new baby 🙂
This is gorgeous! Your fabric choice is perfect, I love that blue. The washi is on my ‘next-to-buy’ list, it flatters every body I’ve ever seen it on. It’s like the sister-hood-of-the-traveling-washi. Last week, I saw it as a maternity dress too, like 8 months pregnant! I wish I could remember what site that was, but it makes a beautiful late-stage maternity dress, too! I’m not much of a shir-er, and the shirred store-bought items I own break after a couple of years, so thi was an ‘ah-ha’ moment, seeing that you could just do an elastic casing. I just sewed my first, I will wear this in real life, dress! It’s a simple sundress that I bet you could definitely turn maternity style! (http://www.adirondackinspired.com/sewing-for-me-the-summer-sundress/)
You look beautiful in your blue dress!
I haven’t tried any of these patterns myself, but the Megan Nielsen maternity collection looks wonderful. Reminds me of the stuff sold at Isabella Oliver.
you look beautiful!
LOVE this on you! Perfect print. You look great! I’m kinda wondering if it will last you almost your whole pregnancy? Seems like you’ve got plenty of room to grow!
So cute! I need to make one! …and I love the *smolder*. Adorable. : )
looks great on you. Ive got 3 washi patterns cut out and ready to be sewn!
Congrats btw!!
That’s such a gorgeous print and is perfect with the Washi! It really is such a versatile and flattering dress – it’s on my to-sew list!
I’ve never been pregnant myself but I’ve done some maternity sewing for a friend and my two sisters in law. I made the perfect nursing top and the ruched maternity top from Megan Nielsen patterns. They are really great patterns! Easy to put together and look great.
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