Nursing dress # 3 in chocolate brown (you can see number one here and number two here).
It looks better on. I’ve yet to figure out a good way of padding out the bust of my dress form. Because of course it wasn’t made in the shape of a postpartum nursing mama, but in the shape of someone who’d last given birth four years prior. There is a difference, it’s not a small one, and if you have kids you probably know this already. Anyhow, that’s the reason that it doesn’t lay quite right. 
For a pattern I used a little bit of the Empire Dress pattern that I talked about here, parts of this tutorial and a whole lot of ingenuity. My first attempt did not turn out as I had hoped. I adapted the skirt from the dress pattern and used the Twist Top tutorial pretty much as written for the bodice. It was rather baggy and awkward looking, not at all fitted, which I suppose makes sense, you can see from her photos that her version has a fairly loose fit. But my inspiration was actually this form flattering dress, which I knew had in turn been inspired by that tutorial. Many alterations later and I got a lot closer to what I was looking for. Due to all of the taking in/taking apart/re-doing the whole thing did not come together as cleanly as I would have liked. I do have all of the alterations marked out on my own personalized pattern now, so fingers crossed that the next attempt should go smoothly!
And for the babe… Picky Pants, a Pilot Cap and Ruby Slippers all in Knit Picks Wool of the Andes “Brown Sugar”.
The color puts me in mind of sugaring off, a weird nearly spring type of association for me. The tiny booties are my favorite.
And just for a change of pace…
a little green. Another pilot cap, toddler sized this time, in Valley Yarns Northampton “Apple Green”.
I have been woefully negligent in sharing my various knitting and sewing escapades lately. While we wait for this little one to decide to arrive I’m going to try to play a bit of catch up.
That’s a pretty dress! Love the hems, the twist, the neckline and the color! I’ve never worked with a dress form before, but I wonder if you could put a bra on it and stuff it with wool batting or something to fill out the chest area when needed. After reading another post of yours where you mentioned craftsy.com, I visited the site for the first time and got so excited about the class/patterns you posted about here. That brings me to my first question – where do you get your knit fabrics (and/or other fabrics)? The craftsy website doesn’t seem to have any knit fabrics in their store, and I have health issues which prevent me from visiting places like “JoAnn” or “Hobby Lobby” for fabrics or supplies. I called the local fabric store but they only stock quilting fabrics (I have the same problems in their store anyhow but thought I might be able to run in and out or ask my husband to pick something up). I would love to find an online source for ordering fabrics in general, but I have to be extra careful about fumes/odors and packing materials. Which brings me to my second question – how do you like the knitpicks yarns and do they have strong odors when they arrive? I have a gift certificate there that is now over 3 years old and really need to use it! Can you make any recommendations for ordering from them? Those wee knits you’ve posted are so beautiful and “chocolate” is a great color choice. Best wishes to you and your family as you await the arrival of your miracle babe!
p.s. I voted for your blog on apartment therapy – hope it helps you get some well-deserved recognition/benefit.
Swooning over those sweet mary janes. Oh too cute!
Wow, great colors! I would have loved a dress like that after my baby was born.
Your dress is really cute. I bet it looks wonderful on you. I love the baby knitting!!!!
Fabric- I don’t have one set source. Sometimes I can find things locally. Other times I use a variety of on-line sources. I used to be involved in a number of on-line fabric co-ops and still have a fair bit of fabric left over from those days (the stuff I used for this dress for example). I recently started buying here occasionally: http://www.naturesfabrics.com/ They have a large selection of stretch fabrics, including some organics. They had reasonable prices and good service, my only complaint is that the fabric I ordered was supposed to be 100% cotton and it gets a bit static-y which leads me to believe that it has a bit of poly in it too.
If you are looking for the purest of the pure, NearSea Naturals is the way to go: http://www.nearseanaturals.com/ Back when we were still very reactive to things I bought from them almost exclusively.
As far as packing material goes, you never know what you are going to get. We always had a system where my husband would open things any maybe hold it up from across the room, then toss it right in the washer!
Knit Picks- I have to preface this by saying that I am not nearly as sensitive as I once was. Just because something doesn’t cause any problems for me doesn’t mean that it won’t cause problems for you. But I’m sure you already knew that! I do fine with their yarns. Usually they ship in cardboard boxes (though this may have more to do with the size of the orders I generally place!), which I do far better with then plastic mailer bags. I don’t know what you are looking for or what you enjoy knitting, so it would be hard to make suggestions on exactly which yarns might be best for you.
I hope this helps a little! Let me know if you need anything else!
Thanks for the thoughtful reply! I was happily surprised to see some affordable fabrics (at least when compared to the local shop prices around here). I can totally relate to the procedure for opening packages from a distance! My husband helps too, and things often have to spend a few nights outside or in the storage building before coming in. It’s wonderful to hear that you are less sensitive these days – gives me hope! Sometimes it seems like a series of ups and downs for us. I thought I would try ordering the Knitpicks yarns that you have posted about. I knit lots of boy stuff, playthings, costume accessories and the occasional item for myself. I’m going to go for it since I have a gift certificate and noticed that they accept returns.
Have a lovely day!