Life moves quickly and things are always changing. One thing I can always count on though is the consistency of my bitching. 95% of my blog posts start by me complaining that I need more work clothes. It's true. I do need work clothes, but sewing dresses is just so much more fun! However, time waits for no (wo)man and this baby bump sure isn't waiting, either. Little lemon keeps growing like crazy! 23 Weeks the date we took these pics! (9/5) We actually SAW her kick last night for the first time! How exciting. :)

All this leads me to this exciting news. I finished 6 new pieces for my maternity capsule! I still have 2 more tops planned, but SIX whole pieces of work appropriate, maternity appropriate, nursing appropriate clothing! You don't even have to congratulate me, I am already high-fiving myself.

This mini capsule includes:

2 Cardigans

3 Tops

3 Skirts

with at least 2 more tops planned.

I did use a lot of pink, but the fabrics I have planned for the extra tops are navy and wine colored which I think will look great with the floral skirt!

Let's jump right in! I didn't photograph every piece with every other piece but they all go together pretty seamlessly.

(Also, can we all forget about the sun drags on these pics and just be happy that our husband took these photos for us when we all know he'd rather be in the garage playing pool? Stop being an ungrateful turd.) (That was strictly a note to myself. LOL)

First up and my favorite combo of all!

Top: New Horizons Designs Cascade Tee. Sleeveless. Size 4. 

Fabric: Peach Modal from Surge Fabric.

Skirt: Megan Nielsen Erin Maternity Skirt. Version 3. Size S at waist blended to XS for hips. 

Fabric: Black Ponte from Surge Fabric.

Heads up to the other pregnant ladies, MODAL IS THE SHIZ. Two reasons. Reason one: It keeps you cool like rayon spandex but without stretching, wrinkling, shrinking, and pilling that can can come with rayon spandex. Two: It is soft and dreamy not isn't see-through! The main reason I love it is it doesn't pill on me like rayon does. Give it a shot. Surge Fabric carries a wide verity of colors in Modal.  Hot Tip: Don't iron modal fabric with a hot, hot iron, it will leave imprints and give the garment a subtle pressed look all the time. Please don't be me (lazy) and forget a pressing cloth. It is your friend.

Next up is this cute cardigan add in. The skirt is the same skirt as above!

Top: Halla Madeleine Cowl Neck Top. I blogged about this top here.

Fabric: Melody Floral on Coral Ity from Surge Fabric.

Cardigan: Helen's Closet Blackwood Cardigan. Size S at bust and waist blended to M at hips. I also shortened the arms by three whole inches. I never knew how short my arms were. (Shrug)

Fabric: Onyx Brushed Sweater Knit from Surge Fabric.

I really love this cardigan. The pockets are perfect for my phone and there are no buttons which makes it quick and super maternity friendly because it doesn't look like it *Should* be buttoned. It's just loose and lets your belly grow. :) The Onyx brushed sweater knit from Surge is unlike any fabric I've tried before. It really is *brushed* on one side and doesn't feel sweatery on the inside. Somehow it's still cozy af though. It will be really nice when I'm wearing a long sleeve because the smooth interior won't move the undershirt and stick to it.

Last outfit with this awesome skirt!

Top: Itch to Stitch Brasov Wrap Top. Blogged here.

Side note: Surge Ponte is the BEST way to feel professional but also feel comfortable. This is the closest I can get to "jammies at work." and I'm loving it.



This has to be my second favorite outfit. I've gotten so many compliments on this wearing it out! It just look really fun and flirty to me but still passing as professional. Gah. My maternity clothes are cuter than my normal wardrobe. (It's good though, I need an extra confidence boost as I grow in strange places and feel uncomfortable almost 98.99% of the time.)

Skirt: Megan Nielsen Erin Maternity Skirt. Version 1. Size S at waist blended to XS for hips.
Fabric: Coral and Navy Floral Scuba from Surge Fabric.

 Yes, I am aware the pic on the left is a little weird. Let's not talk about it. I included it because I love the contrasting stripes on the cardigan and that was the best view I had of it! This again is the Blackwood Cardigan by Helen's Closet. This was my first rendition and as you can see the sleeves are far too long. I shorted the black version by 3" in the arms. That is why I love sewing! This fabric was purchased black Friday of last year from a different shop. I'll blog about it eventually. Any sweater knit is great for this pattern. :) Also, no real need to blend sizes in this pattern like I did, straight small would have been fine because there are no closures.

 Side note for Scuba: The MN Erin skirt pattern says scuba is a fine choice but recommends 4 way stretch. This fabric only has two way but it is just too pretty to pass on so I made it work! It is actually still pretty comfy, if you decide to use a fabric with 2 way, I would recommend adding a back vent, though. The ponte is definitely easier to move it. I have worn it to work and will continue to do so though!

My final piece!

Skirt: Sinclair Amaya. Size 4.

Fabric: Charcoal Ponte from Surge Fabric.

I made a size 4 for this pattern and I had to take a TON in on the sides. I guess better too much than not enough, but it was a lot. I will size down for the next one. The Amaya Skirt works surprisingly well for maternity for not being a maternity piece! I don't think I'll be able to wear it into my 3rd trimester, but I didn't plan it as a maternity specific piece to begin with, so I'm perfectly fine with that. :)

Phew! I don't know if I spent more time typing or sewing. I hope this gives some of you mom's-to-be some inspiration for your maternity wardrobe. This, for me, is just a starting point that I'm going to continue to add to. I have been working really hard on sewing things that I can wear during and after pregnancy and so far all these pieces except the two Megan Nielsen skirts are not intended for maternity but are working great! Most of the tops that I have sewn and have planned are good for nursing as well. I love, love how they all work together. It takes a lot of the "planning" out of what to wear in the morning. Capsules FTW.

Thanks for reading to the end! I hope you'll check out these awesome designers as well as Surge Fabric Shop and join their Facebook group for all the updates on sales and new stockings!

No affiliate links are used in this blog post. I do, however, receive a discount for helping to promote Surge Fabric Shop.

This post contains affiliate links to support my Taco Tuesday addiction.

I keep talking about how I need more work clothes. I work all the time. yet here I am sewing up a gorgeous lace back tank. *Sigh* When will I learn?

I purchased the Marbella Tank during a sale on New Horizons patterns sometime this past spring and it has sat printed on my sewing floor for weeks and weeks. When I made my most recent purchase from Surge fabric shop I realized that Kayla still had some Marbella kits in stock so I snagged one. The match is perfection. I love all the laces that Surge Fabric Shop carries. 

The pattern is quick and easy and I love that there is no binding or facing or anything fancy. Just turn under the edges and coverstitch or hem! The top fits great and I love the back to show off that gorgeous lace! The only thing I wonder is HOW do people get away with not showing their bra straps? I'll be honest, I'm not one to try to hide my straps all the time, really only for photos, but I don't know how others do it. Strapless bras do not work for my body. Regardless, this pic below is in true form and it's how I really wear my tank. Maybe I'll be more sophisticated as I age. :P

The cream fabric is my favorite fabric, Modal in the cream color. It is slightly see through so I just tossed a tiny cami underneath to hide the FRONT of my bra. (See, I do have *Some* class).

The Marbella Kits are no longer in stock on the Surge Fabric Shop site, but all the individual materials are and I've linked them above!

If you haven't made the Marbella from New Horizons Designs I encourage you to do so! It's quick, easy, and looks very off the rack. Check out Surge Fabric Shop for awesome laces to dress up this tank, too. I need a handful for this summer.... but maybe I'll try to get some work clothes in first. 

Details:

Pattern: Marbella from New Horizons Designs

Fabric: Surge Fabric Shop Modal

Lace: Surge Fabric Shop Seafoam and Cream Lace

There's something awesome about being cozy on your days off. All of my sleepwear was purchased about 9 years ago. Yes, nine. So I thought it was time to discard the old and make something cute to lounge in. Let me introduce the pattern that needs absolutely no introduction because it's already wildly popular ... The Portlander Pants by New Horizons Designs!

This is actually my second pair but these ones fit PERFECTLY. I shorted the length by 1" and now they skim the ground ever so slightly when I walk but cover my heels completely when I sit with my knees tucked to my chest. (A typical seated "looking at my phone" position haha!)

I got this lovely, drapy, snuggly double brushed poly from Simply By Ti Fabrics. It's completely pajama approved, comfy approved, husband approved, stylish and cozy approved! The colors are so vibrant and these are probably my favorite pants ever. 

Ti has a special birthday sale going on all month and this week is 25% off of double brushed poly and cotton lycra! She has a ton of awesome prints that you can grab at a great discount. To get the code, make sure to join her Facebook Group here.

Makers note: Don't skip the pockets on these pants! They come together so quickly even with the pockets and it's SO nice to have pockets on pajamas. They fit my bulky phone and everything.

Side note: I use the term "night pants" which my husband thinks is crazy. He says "night pants" aren't a thing but that's what I've called pajamas ever since I can remember. Night shirt, night pants, etc. Am I crazy?! I had to keep remembering to type pajamas. He thinks night pants is like some term for pants you use to sneak around in the night. Hahaha

Details:

Pattern: New Horizons Designs Portlander Pants

Fabric: DBP from Simply By Ti Fabrics

Size: XS and removed 1" from the length

There are no affiliate links in this post, but I did receive my fabric at a discounted price for my ambassadorship with Simply By Ti Fabrics. All opinions are my own, and you should certainly check out the killer sale she has going on all month. A new fabric type will be discounted each week. The best way to follow along is to join the Simply By Ti Facebook Group!