PEOPLE. Don’t get too excited, now! Yes, I sewed one of Megan Nielsen‘s delightful maternity patterns, the Rie dress, but it’s NOT FOR ME. No mini-Gingers on the way! It’s for my younger sister, who’s due in January.
Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way…
I made this a few months back but haven’t had a chance to blog about it yet. This is the fastest garment that I’ve completed to date– I sewed it up in just a few hours! I’ve never done anything so quickly before! The dress was so easy to assemble, and it’s a very cute style. I would actually almost wear this myself, belted for a little waist definition. I used a super-cute medium-weight cotton jersey from Girl Charlee (Andrea also used this fabric for a sweet dress)!
I highly recommend this pattern! It requires very little fitting, so it would make a great gift for a friend who’s expecting, and it’s a nice wardrobe basic that can be dressed up or down. Like all of Megan’s patterns, it’s really, really easy to put together, and there are several variations suggested in the pattern booklet so you can make multiple unique garments with one pattern.
Here’s a little snapshot my dad took of my sister wearing the dress.
Notice anything funny about the dress in the full-length shot? I used the blue stripe to line up the pieces so my stripes would match, BUT… I cut one piece, then must have flipped the other piece upside-down on the fabric before cutting, so the stripes run in reverse order on one side and only the blue stripes match up! Whoops! What a dumb mistake!
What are your favorite gifts for expectant mothers? For those of you who are pregnant or have been, what were your favorite things to wear during that time?
Ginger Makes... 
Cute! And congrats to your sister!
My friends (and me for that matter) are still a little young to be reproducing, so I’ll leave the gift suggestions for others to comment on. 😉
LikeLike
Haha, wait a few years and you’ll find you can’t knit tiny sweaters fast enough to keep up with your friends! 🙂
LikeLike
This is super adorable and your sister looks stoked with her lovely frock! I would never have noticed the stripe colour order unless you pointed it out- call it a design feature, I say 😀
LikeLike
Haha, yes, a design feature…
LikeLike
CUTE!
LikeLike
Thanks, girl!
LikeLike
Your sister is adorable in her dress!!
LikeLike
Isn’t she too cute?
LikeLike
So cute! I LOVE wearing knit dresses and skirts! I find them the most comfy and flattering.
LikeLike
Glad to hear that– I was guessing that knits would be nice to wear. 🙂
LikeLike
So cute! I’ve yet to try a Megan Nielsen pattern, but I do think she does a great job designing stylish pieces. Also, your blue line matching had me chuckling. Better than my first attempts – nothing even came close to matching despite my actually trying!
LikeLike
Megan’s designs are very wearable and young– for some reason lots of RTW maternity clothing looks very old lady to me! That crazy blue stripe… sigh…
LikeLike
Empire-waisted and knit fabric dresses are brilliant when you’re pregnant. 🙂 I love this one – and I actually really like how the stripes kind of alternate!
LikeLike
Your maternity and post-baby outfits have been really inspirational– for example, the zipper-front dress the other day… I never would’ve guessed how convenient that would be!
LikeLike
I love this fabric! How satisfying that it only took you a few hours!
LikeLike
Right? It’s so nice to do something quick now and again! I mean, it’s fun to do lined dresses with miles of hand-stitching… but it’s also fun to NOT make them! 🙂
LikeLike
Aren’t you lovely! I love the stripe matching story :o) Something I’d do!
LikeLike
I couldn’t believe it when I started trying to match them up! I thought I was so smart lining up the pieces… live and learn, I suppose!
LikeLike
How cute is this! I would have never noticed the stripe issue until you mentioned it.
LikeLike
Heeheehee… at least they’re lined up, even if they aren’t the same color all the way around!
LikeLike
It’s so cute and looks super comfy!!
LikeLike
I hope it’s comfy! I was hoping it would be comfortable, but not unflattering. Hopefully she likes it!
LikeLike
Awwww! You’re such a sweet sister! Congrats to all of you – you get to be an auntie!
LikeLike
It’s my first time (and I have four siblings!)! I’m looking forward to spoiling my nephew. 🙂
LikeLike
Oooh, it’s so cute.Love the stripes. I had eyed the Rie pattern when I was pregnant but never bought it! My favourute thing I made when pregnant was my Mariposa dress by Anna Maria Horner made in cotton jersey knit and also some maternity shorts which were a simplicity pattern. The dress is designed for breastfeeding so I wore it before and after having the baby. My gift recommendation would be a cute changing bag with travel mat or some pretty yet comfy pjs that can be worn in the first few weeks of motherhood. xx
LikeLike
The Mariposa dress looks like a great design! The whole “Handmade Beginnings” book looks really cute, and I love the idea of a changing bag and pajamas! Thanks for the recommendations– they’re perfect! I’m glad to get some tips from pros! 🙂
LikeLike
Aw! Congratulations to your sister! This is such a sweet materninty gift!
LikeLike
Thanks, Sallie! 🙂
LikeLike
that is a very cute dress! i just ordered from girl charlee and i’m really happy with the quality of the fabrics. i will definitely be ordering from them again. i have totally done that same stripe mess-up before. it’s probably not all that noticeable with so many colors.
LikeLike
I love Girl Charlee, too! The fabrics really are nice, and the prices are reasonable, too!
LikeLike
super cute and congrats to your sister!
LikeLike
Thanks, Maddie! 🙂
LikeLike
You’re such a good sister! Congrats on becoming an aunt (again?) 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks, lady! This is my first time as an aunt, so it’s really exciting.
LikeLike
This is such a sweet gift – your sister looks magnificent! Well done with such a cute dress!
LikeLike
Thanks, Meg!!
LikeLike
So nice of you to make a gift for your sister, and an adorable one at that!
LikeLike
I looked around a bit to see what kind of maternity clothes are available to buy, but they’re pretty expensive and kind of drab! I’m glad I was able to make something pretty cute on the cheap!
LikeLike
How adorable! Was your sister surprised or did she know you were making it?
LikeLike
I told her I was making something, but the details were a surprise. I’m hoping she’s able to wear it for a while!
LikeLike
What a cute dress! Since the blue stripes match, I think you can go ahead and call the ‘inverted stripe pattern” a design feature.
Being an aunt is WONDERFUL! Take it from one who knows. 😉 Moms in my life get a diaper bag – no fitting required!
LikeLike
A diaper bag is a great idea! And you can really have fun with fabric choices!
LikeLike
Congratulations to your sister and to you as a future auntie! What a sweet gift for your sister! Maternity clothes is so expensive these days 😦
LikeLike
Thanks, Inna! It really seems like a shame to spend lots of money on clothes that you can only wear for a short time. I’m glad I was able to mak something cute but inexpensive!
LikeLike
It’s not a mistake it’s a design element that adds ‘interest and texture’. When I was pregnant I loved kaftan style tops (I wore my ‘normal’ pants until I was 6 months pregnant with my first!) and dresses!
LikeLike
Ooh, I love the idea of kaftans! Kinda bohemian and not too “preggo”-specific. Thanks for the suggestion!!
LikeLike
This is adorable. I don’t know why, but I love making or thinking about clothes for pregnant women. Congratulations sister and auntie-to-be!
LikeLike
I think it’s so fun to be a part of their special event, even if it’s in a small way. Thanks for the congrats!
LikeLike
Oh you are the sweetest sister!! So nice of you to make her a maternity dress! I’m so glad you enjoyed the pattern – it’s definitley the one i wore the most when pregnant. And seriously, i giggled so much at your blue line matching – i made that EXACT mistake with stripes in one of my last collections, i was SO mad at myself! hehehe
LikeLike
Hahaha, I’m so glad I’m not the only one who’s made that mistake. The pattern really was a pleasure to work with! Thank you!
LikeLike
A cute dress for a cute sister I say! How nice of you to take time out to make this for her, it’s adorable! I love that fabric choice so much!
LikeLike
I love this fabric, too! It’s just so fun!
LikeLike
aww, it’s really sweet of you to make a dress for your sister. i think expecting moms get a lot of gifts for the baby but you were thoughtful and made something for her! she looks cute in the dress! it looks like it was a quick but rewarding project. great job! (and i never would have noticed the stripes, either)
LikeLike
this is super cute! and she must love wearing it, since you made it and all!
LikeLike
Thanks, Stephanie! 🙂
LikeLike
Aligning striped fabric makes me crazy! You did an excellent job though. The dress is adorable. Congrats to your sis!
LikeLike
Thanks, Maycie!
LikeLike
Lucky sister to have u…
LikeLike