Maternity re-fitting?

Thanks Miriam! I'll see if I can't pick up a copy of Sew News when I go out this weekend!

And thanks, we are starting to get excited too!

Dannielle

Ok, I picked up the copy of Sew News, read through the article enough to know that I could do this and trekked off to TSWLTH. No buttonhole elastic to be found and a rather unhelpful worker at the cutting counter (she's quite old and only works one day a week - so I was informed) but she was really nice. Instead, I bought knit no-roll elastic in the width specified and figured I could turn it into buttonhole elastic....please tell me I can!?!?!?!?!

I also bought some nice knit fabric (dear sweet old lady had a heck of a time helping me with that one too!) and although the book says 1/2 yd, I figured I'd better get a whole yard....just in case! Now, if I can make buttonhole elastic out of the stuff I bought, and I can successfully alter my jeans, I will be returning the jeans that I bought from Penney's catalog as they gap like no tomorrow in the back and it's just a really nasty fit on me! Then I might try a pair of shorts and see if I can get those right too!

Thanks for all of the help and pointers and tips! Keep them coming! I may not respond to every post, but I am reading and taking notes!!!

Dannielle

I doubt it:

you try to work buttonholes in regular woven elastic, you likely will ruin the elastic. You might think about purchasing TWICE the amount of elastic the pattern calls for in HALF the width, and using a zig-zag stitch to butt the edges together, leaving "buttonholes" every inch or so, but that seems like way to much fuss for me. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news,

Beverly

Dannielle,

It is so frustrating to shop a fabric store with salespeople who aren't up to speed. But at least she was nice!

Elastic isn't the easiest thing to sew on. Sometimes it gives me fits, sometimes it doesn't. So I don't know if you can successfully make buttonholes in it or not...it won't hurt to try. If it doesn't work, buttonhole elastic is available online. I found it at Nancy's Notions in 3/4" width, 5 yards for $4.75. (No affiliation, but I've always been satisfied with their quality and prompt service.) This is the web page:

luck!

Doreen in Alabama

Thanks for the online info! I figured for the price, I could fudge with a little bit and if I couldn't do it, I could go search the net....I'll always find another use for the elastic....

Dannielle

Nope, I was wondering if that would be a problem. I hadn't considered doing the half width thing, but wouldn't that make an awfully weak piece? I worry about the stress on the stitching when I am crawling around on the floor with my DD!

Hmm, sounds like something I am going to have to play with to learn!

Dannielle

I didn't offer that up as a *good* solution, just as a possibility if you can't find real buttonhole elastic. Since I gave you a link to on online source, and so did Doreen, I suggest you buy the real deal, and use the present elastic for some other project.

Learning never ends! ;-)

Beverly

I hated pants during my pregnancys. They were always sliding down in the back when I sat, or something. I made a few cool jumpers, nice and loose and below the knee. I was comfy all summer and looked good too.

Wanda

I'm way too big for jumpers to begin with! They look awful on me and show all the excess rolls of warmth I carry. (I shouldn't call them that, as I really do freeze quite often...but it sounds better, I think!) I wore maternity cords during my first pregnancy and did fine, but I can't find any of those this time around....

I have been thinking through my clothes, and realize that I do have a few dresses and such that will accomodate my tummy and be cool for summer time. I'm just looking forward to having the baby and getting back to the real world of clothes - August get here quick!

Dannielle