Fringe Dress x Chalk & Notch
I don't know why its taken me almost three months since I finished this dress to finally write a little somethin' about it, but I'm here and excited to show you my new(ish) Fringe Dress!
The Fringe is a gorgeous dress or top from Chalk & Notch that was seriously having a moment when it came out last fall. It seemed like it was on everyone's sewing table! Since we were knee deep in a cross country move I didn't get to it until December, but you better believe I had this eggplant floral rayon from my favorite Rifle Paper Co set aside for it from the moment it reached my mailbox.
I have no shortage of love for Chalk & Notch patterns and this one is no different. Cut to sew, the Fringe is a great make and comes together easily. I always love the cute hem lines on Gabriela's dresses and the pull on style is comfy and quick to assemble too. And can I get a high five for more pockets? Always awesome. I made the sleeves of view B with the bodice of view A, and love the double button detail I added to the front.
But what I probably love most of all about this dress is....
This baby bump underneath it!
Yes, folks, there is a bun in that oven and we're so excited to welcome a third little nugget to the family in a few months. With cuties like Ren and Mars, how could we not?!
So lets talk alterations. Since I made this before I even knew I was pregnant I didn't make any maternity specific changes, but the ones I did make should serve me well (at least for a couple more months) in this pregnancy.
- Gabriela designs with a looser, more relaxed fit in mind but even with the ties I wanted my bodice a little slimmer. I took out about 2 inches from the bodice which gives me enough room to still pull the dress on but gives me a little less fabric on top. Since the skirt is gathered I didn't take any width out there and just gathered up the extra like normal.
- I shortened the bodice 2 inches to sit at my waist's narrowest point, and its high enough that I should get a good amount of maternity wear out of it. Having the ties helps to cinch it above the belly.
- I also shortened the skirt 2 inches. My Fringe is still just a smidge longer than the intended fit (sans belly) but I prefer things a little longer, and that extra length will come in handy as my belly gets bigger.
Because of the gathered skirt, pull on style, tie back, and dipped hem, the Fringe really does make a great maternity option! I'm excited that I'll be able to wear this for months more and will probably make another in a couple months with some slight modifications to accommodate a larger belly. The best part is it'll be totally wearable after pregnancy too.
Well thank you for letting me share our happy news with you today! This is our third rainbow baby and we're excited that, beyond nausea and food aversions, so far things are going well. I've never sewn for myself during pregnancy so I'm very much looking forward to trying some maternity patterns and making other favorite patterns work for that baby bump. And, we make some stinkin' cute babies so stick around for him/her too ;)
