With a goal in mind of sewing items of clothing that will fit during my pregnancy, and also after my pregnancy, I couldn’t go past sewing up a cosy Elliot Sweater.

I have a few versions of this pattern already (see here and here), but I wanted to try it out in a fabric that had a bit more body.

I had some 100% organic cotton fleece-backed jersey leftover from my White Russian Jumper a few years ago. There really wasn’t much of it left, but I had to believe that I could make it work.

I was going to have to piece together the tops of the sleeves, and I had to settle on a rather short collar.

I had just enough fabric! The collar turned out a bit like a funnel-neck, which I really enjoy! To make the patch job on the sleeves stand out, I added some gold holographic thread in a diamond pattern. It looks beautiful in real life but is absolutely impossible to capture on my iPhone.

I’m just over 20 weeks pregnant at the moment, and this jumper fits like a dream. It’s oversized enough to fit my growing belly without looking like a sack.

This is such a versatile pattern, I’m certain that it will get a lot of wear now, and also after the baby comes.

GARMENT DETAILS

• Pattern brand/name/number: Elliot Sweater by Helen’s Closet
• Style/size: View A, size large
• Fabric: 100% organic cotton fleece-backed jersey from my stash, originally from The Remnant Warehouse
• Notions: Gütermann thread 310 (navy), Gütermann Sulky CA 02776 (gold holographic)
• Modifications/alterations:
  • Pieced the fabric together so I had enough to cut the sleeves
  • Used a much shorter collar than written, due to the lack of fabric

As much as I love the detailing on the shoulders, I managed to snap three of the gold threads when I was taking it off. There is no give with that thread, and to save the overall look being a bit scruffy, I may have to remove all the stitching.

Do you have any pattern suggestions for maternity wear? Let me know in a comment!

Mitty x

Tessuti recently released a free apron pattern, and I instantly knew that it would make a great Mother’s Day present for two very special Mums in my life.

I made this apron for my Mum. I managed to use the very last bits of fabric I had leftover from my Yanta overalls and the floor pouf.

I love the way the apron crosses over in the back. It’s very simple to get on and off, once you’ve done it a few times.

This “HEAR ME ROAR” label from Kylie & The Machine was the perfect addition to the roomy front pocket.

And here’s my Mum, wearing her new apron! She loved it so much, she said she didn’t want to get it dirty!

The second apron I made was for my Mother In Law. Red is very much her colour, and I knew this would really suit her.

About 2 years ago, I hemmed one of her dresses, and I kept the lace scrap that was cut off. It was the perfect shade of red for the apron, so I hand stitched it to the front.

There was a decent amount of patching needed for this apron. I didn’t have enough fabric to cut it all at once, so I had to join bits together as I went. As you can see, I didn’t have enough for the straps, so I ended up using a red checked fabric that actually came from the shirt my now-husband was wearing when we first met!

Patched pocket and “DREAM BIG” label from KATM.

My Mother In Law loves her new apron, she didn’t take it off all day and insisted she would only wear it when cooking for special dinner parties!

GARMENT DETAILS

• Pattern brand/name/number: Tessuti Apron Pattern by Tessuti Fabrics
• Style/size: One size
• Fabric: Blue and white striped cotton which was once a pair of curtains, purchased from my local op-shop. Red drill-like fabric that has been in my stash for years, lace from my Mother In Law’s dress, and red check cotton fabric cut from my husbands’ old shirt
• Notions: Labels from Kylie & The Machine, matching thread
• Modifications/alterations: 
  • None, other than patching together the red fabric

Now I think it’s time to make one of these aprons for myself!

Mitty x