Tuesday 5 March 2013

Leopard (non)maternity dress

When my friend Miss Tallulah Porkchop recently lamented the lack of attractive maternity dresses available to her, I had to do something about it.


Something fashionable. In leopard print, of course.


The pattern is Vogue 8489.

V8489

I originally bought this because I fell in love with the cornflower blue and pink/black versions in the pattern illustrations. Alas, I discovered the hard way that gathered waists do not suit me. In fact, they make me look pregnant. How ironic.

As it turns out, this makes (I hope) a rather nice bump dress.



The inverted V is a complete pain the bum to achieve but it looks nice in the end. If you ignore the bunky stitching.

I made this with regular short sleeves instead of the puff-sleeve version. I'm fairly sure a pregnant body does not require extra puff.


One thing I don't get about this pattern is the zip. The dress is made in stretch fabric, with lots of stitching around the waist, so I understand that a zip allows the wearer to put this one without breaking all the stitching. But couldn't this have been designed without a zip? Isn't that the point of stretch fabric??

This always happens when I insert a zip into stretch fabric.


Argh. Wrong bumps.

The gathering above the waist will hopefully accomodate Miss Porkchop's bump nicely.


This fabric also reminds me of cookies 'n' cream ice cream or chocolate.


I've only just given the dress to Miss Porkchop so I'll update this post with an extra pic or two when she's got it on!

**update - it fits and she loves it!





8 comments:

  1. That looks great! I'm sure it will be a very versatile piece in her wardrobe.

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  2. That is so immensely sweet and thoughtful of you! This dress is really charming and doesn't look like stereotypical maternity wear one iota (awesome job!).

    ♥ Jessica

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  3. Lovely, lovely, lovely! I also don't get why a patter that requires stretch fabric needs a zipper??? Maybe in case they chose non stretch fabric such as 100% cotton??

    Anyway, funny that you mention cookies n cream. That's exactly what I'm indulging in at the moment!! :D

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  4. YAY! This is one of my fav dresses. Thank you sooo... much. xxx

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  5. I think you'll be inundated with orders for this divoooooooooon maternity-version frock - especially in leopard-print!!!! I wish I had this pattern when my tummy was growing. Yes it seems strange to put a zip into stretch fabric - makes you wonder what the pattern-makers were thinking eh? You did a fabulous job and I agree about the sleeves. Perfection:) xoox

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  6. you did such a great job. this dress looks so lovely on her!

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  7. What a lovely maternity gift to give to M.T.P.!

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