Thanks for the encouragement over the baby outfit — it was nice to know I’m not the only one who couldn’t hack the pattern (though now I’m living in constant fear that the great AB herself will stumble across the post and read it and have her feelings hurt…mortifying). I’m going to try and mess with the waistband and neckline a little to see if I can get it to fit as a 6-12 month or 12-18 month sized top. The bloomers I fear are a loss, but I’m sure someone I know will procreate again soon and odds are decent (49%, I believe) that effort will produce a girl.
A few weeks ago, bolstered by having Mr Rae home and the fact that my belly was no longer ginormous (although a bit woobly and second trimester-esque), I pulled together this unicorn top with some of the Far Far Away from my stash. It’s McCall’s 5388, a fave here at Made By Rae and this version (View D) was even easier as I decided not to add the sleeves, bringing the number of pieces I had to cut down to a wee four. Also, this may seem a bit counterintuitive, but fall is coming, and sleeveless looks better under cardigans. I used bias tape (that bright orange they carry at JoAnn happens to match this colorway perfectly) and lace to finish the armholes, and I took out the usual 1 inch from the center of the yoke, as it is notoriously wide.
I decided to pintuck and pleat rather than gather the front, so I alternated pintucks with pleats from the center. Each pintuck was 1/8″ and each pleat was 1/2.” This was a little tricky with the double gauze fabric, but it turned out pretty well.
I love the idea of making a smocked sundress like this one out of this fabric too (yes I sortof stole the name for this post from that pic)…oh, woe is me, if only I could figure out how to smock properly! One of these days I will beat my machine into submission and then it will be victorious smocking! smocking! smocking! all the way I tell you.
: : closeup of neckline and pleat details : :
: : someone may have gotten a wee bit crabby during this photoshoot…good thing her pants matched : :
37 Responses to Real Women wear Unicorns
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For you to sew!
about Rae
Hi! I'm Rae, Head Boss Lady of Made By Rae Enterprises. I love to sew. This blog is a showcase for my crafty stuff.
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I love that top!!! I love designs like that – forgiving to us mommies without feeling frumpy (after two kids I don't think my tummy will every look right again
And what a fun pattern!!! LOVE IT!! (oh and you look amazing!!!)
I love it! You look great and that baby is…so…tiny! Adorable.
Very cute top, and the color looks great on you.
It's beautiful! Way to go, mommy!
the first pair of pants i ever made for my little boy were from that same amy butler fabric your little c is wearing. how funny! crazy pants all around!
I am so loving that top! I have 2 months left in my pregnancy and I am envious of your postpartum body! I feel like such a cow right now.
such a cute top!! you look great BTW! jealous.
Cute top. I'm glad you posted your experience with that top because I have that same pattern. I haven't tried it yet, but I'll be referring back to this post when I do. It looks great on you!
http://www.simplymodernmom.com
Two things – that top is awesome on you…
and also, elastic thread is amazing. I made the teeny version of that smocked sundress for my Grace Monster and it was SO EASY. I have the pattern for the adult version of the dress…now I just have to print it and make it…=)
Very nice top and orange is my favorite color!
That top is so cute! Looks like a fun pattern too! I've got 2 shirts I want to make. I've got the patterns and fabric but I've never made a top before and I feel chicken and don't want to mess up the beautiful fabric.
I need to get some courage and dive in.
That color is very flattering on you! I like the adjustments you made on the top.
1) Real women do, indeed, wear unicorns! Apparently.
2) The top is adorable, and PERFECT for the post-baby bubble.
3) You have a face! And it's a lovely face, too….
4)…but it can NOT compare to the yumminess that is that wee little bundle on your shoulder. *swoon*
very cute. And you look fabulous.
Oh I love it and how I want to pull out me sewing machine, but I have so many knitting patterns to work on desgining and finishing, and petitepurls.com to launch this month. NEVER enough time, I SO want to sew (not that I have a clue how to sew clothing, just quilts). I actually have a secret dream of being a seamstress.
Adorable! Oh and the baby is cute too
The top really fits you perfectly; you did a great job! I'm amazed at our sewing skills this early after delivery. Mine were 19 months apart and I still have days when I don't know if I'm coming or going… You look beautiful in your new top!
I love elastic thread smocking. It is my new favorite thing. I used a pattern from this lady http://makeitandloveit.blogspot.com/ and made myself a bunch of skirts…and then skirts for my daughter…and then I used the elastic smocking routine and cinched a waist in a pillow case dress for her and it turned out so cute. Anyway, I may elastic smock all my clothes for such a forgiving waistline that it makes. Cute baby too.
love the fabric and top. too cute. and the babe's pants are adorable!
Miss your frequent blogs! The top is awesome, but I can't imagine it's great for breastfeeding Mamma's…Thoughts on that? As I am in Phx, could wear that sleeveless style all year long!
Rae!
So happy to see you on here and get a glimpse of the little miss. You look WONDERFUL and I love the top. Go you!
Happy Weekend!!
Love the unicorns! Not just for kids…
That is so cute! I'm so glad to see you made something for yourself at a time when I know you are giving so much to your family. A great color on you!
I love the McCall's pattern–really, really cute!
I love your new top!
You are so gifted at sewing so I'm sure you'll find smocking/shirring a piece of cake!! I just posted about my first shirring experience (a dress): it takes some time, but it's so easy and satisfying. Here's my post:
http://tinyurl.com/n7crp9
I can't wait to see what you make next!
Super cute top and you look great so soon after giving birth. Good for you! So impressed you've already whipped up a top…keep up the incredible craftiness.
Oh, and you'll master smocking! If I can do it (and even triumph to blog about it!) so can you.
That McCall's is in my top 5 Super Favorites. Although, with shoulders that belong on a football field and not in daintly sleeveless numbers, I'm afraid that I can't spare that inch in the yoke.
The double gauze must make for a horribly comfy and soft shirt. I'd never take it off.
That top is great and looks wonderful on you! And that little one… adorable.
ahhhh… that last picture is so sweet. i miss when they're THAT small!
i fear the same thing about someone reading my comments about their stuff because they happened to google themselves/book and they'll see my critical post… like heather ross. i really hesitated my "who needs another project explanation on sewing napkins" (which i still stand by… btw).
cute top!
I love it, I need something to hide my 2nd trimester-esque tummy right now too. I should try taking out that inch in the yoke. On every pattern I ever buy. Who makes those patterns anyway?
wow, rae! you look amazing! and so does your sweet girl
love her pants and love your top, super cute! i think the pleats and tucks are also much more flattering than the gathers. it's a wonderful fall blouse!
I love that, I'm going to go buy that pattern, I had a baby a few month ago and I think a shirt like that is just what I need
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p.s. I love you backpacks, I entered the giveaway at Grosgrain.
If I had that top, I'd definitely have to agree with your post title! What a sweet little one you are holding!
I really like that top! Do you think the pattern would be ok for a beginner? So far the only clothing I have made is a wrap skirt (!), but I would love to make a top like that for myself.
oh my god i love it! I kinda have a thing for unicorns. I also love the bag with the pompoms. it's perfect.
Looove the way it looks under a cardigan! So cute!!
–Jess @ FloralShowers.com
[...] next question: is it OK for a grown woman to wear Snow White? You may want to bear in mind that I wear the unicorns when answering that question). And let’s just say what many of you are thinking, which is [...]