Don't look too close at this dress

A couple weeks ago I kind of panicked when I realized I had done just about NOTHING to get ready for our baby (expected any day now, for those just joining). This resulted in a frenzy of painting, furniture moving (don't worry, it wasn't me), suitcase packing, birthing-book reading and inevitable new-baby-item purchasing.

That has slowed considerably over the last week or so and I finally feel ready. Problem is, now I'm waiting, not a great situation for someone who's used to always having a bajillion things to do. So with all this newfound baby-waiting time, I've become a machine, I tell you, a machine. I've been pumping out sewing projects left and right; changing pad covers, curtains for the nursery, baby outfits, baby hats, a shirt for Elliot...and yesterday, I got really gutsy. I sewed something for my post-baby body:

This stretch jersey dress is a lengthened variation of Simplicity 3893 (which I think only comes in plus-sizes...luckily the smallest size (10) works fine for me) which is probably one of my favorite knit patterns. It's quick and simple (if you ignore stuff like the trimming and the center back seam...durr?).

I used knit fabric obtained at Fields in Holland, Michigan but recently Alexis posted an online spot for knits (Hart's) that I'd never seen that looks worth checking out. Sewzanne's is a good knit spot too, but I always link to them so I'd love to hear other good apparel knit sources.

Now there's a reason you aren't getting a closeup of this dress. I'm starting to realize that most of my serger/knit projects don't look so great when the lens is zoomed in. They look very...homemade. The stitching isn't even, the edges ripple unevenly when I try to roll-hem, and so on.

I originally wanted to do some oh-so-trendy shirring on the sleeves and neckline, but after trying some tutorials out with both a Bernina and a Singer, I got so frustrated I almost went into labor (hmmm, should have kept trying???). I spent a whole afternoon trying to master this and I've finally just had it. Am I seriously going to just have to wait until the shirring trend disappears? I just know all of you Problem Solvers out there are going to try and help me out with this, and I SO appreciate the links and tutorials, but right now I just really want to wallow. But go ahead if you must...

One final thing: I wanted to post about how much I love my dress form. It's called Uniquely You, and it's made out of foam (really scary and Mae-West-like when it arrives in the box) that you put a cover over that you've tailored to your own dimensions. Now the tailoring is pretty tricky (it took me two evenings and Mr Rae's assistance), but once you have the cover to your size, you zip it on over the foam and you have this great form that you can pin into. Just wanted to put that out there for those of you searching for a good dress form...I love mine, but do be a sport and read some reviews before you purchase; it's definitely a project and I don't want anyone getting frustrated. An added plus: on days I feel too preggers and whale-like, I can just go in the sewing room and take a look at Mia, and remember that yes, someday, my body will be somewhat normal looking again (and if not, you can re-tailor the cover).