This is probably my last maternity sewing project for this time around…I have my next project planned but it's not a maternity dress, it just works for one while needed. I had a few more patterns I wanted to make, but with only 5 weeks left I probably won't put the effort into it. 

(Notice how well my new shoes go with it! 🙂

Many clothes that have fit me for a while I am starting to outgrow now that I'm almost 8 months along, so I did want one more dress that should see me through in case I really get huge during the last few weeks. And skirt bands are getting more and more uncomfortable.

I liked the details of this dress, but not the wrap back. I decided that would be easy to change, and used instead the back piece from my 4th of July maternity dress.

That worked but created an issue with the neckline being too tight to fit over my head. Initially I had been going to do view C with the collar, but using a different back meant I had to rethink things. I ended up facing a small slash at the bottom of the V to make the neckline larger, and instead of a collar, I used contrasting bias trim to bind the neckline, tapering it to a point at the bottom similar to what I did with this dress. (Oooh, how I look forward to having a waist again!)

I rarely mix prints but this time the cute yellow polka dot fabric seemed to work, bringing out the yellow in the blue print a bit more. The bow I made into a brooch instead of just tacking it down.

The fabric is some of the first I got years ago when I took an interest in vintage sewing and JoAnn was having a sale. I bought 5 yards of this, not knowing that 3 or 4 is usually sufficient for most vintage patterns. As a result, I have plenty left over – maybe a summer 1930s blouse down the road. It wrinkles when washed, which is a pain, but still fun to finally see it come to life after years in a drawer.

Instead of doing a long belt and wrapping it around my waist, I did short ties. And didn't get them placed quite high enough. Not sure if I'll take the time to move them up, but it wouldn't take long so I should…

The only other changes I made were to the sleeves. Because of using a different back piece the arm holes were likely to be a different size, so instead of fussing with altering the pleats, I just gathered the top – quite period correct as well as easier. I also gathered the lower edge instead of doing the tucks, into cuff bands of the contrast. I actually really like the look and will keep it in mind for future projects!

This was a quick project, so I probably cut a few corners I shouldn't have and may regret it later…but as I've said before, I'm not as particular with my everyday, wardrobe-needed dresses. It may depend on my mood. Sometimes I enjoy taking more time and doing hand work or spending time on special details.

I was surprised when I tried it on how snug it already was, even with the loose back panels. I think the front must have less width than the 4th of July dress. Or maybe I'm just bigger than I thought!

Even still, there is room to let out the ties in the back some more so it should fit for the rest of the time (or maybe most of the rest of the time) and is one more maternity pattern I managed to knock out during these past months!