My beleifs and who I am.

For those who are recently reading my Blog(or are new facebook friends)You should be warned now.
I know what I beleive and have strong opinions. Before I get to that though I want to let you know what I believe and why.

First I am christian. This is important as it shapes a lot of my beliefs. I beleive that we were created and the earth and all the animals by God.
As such I beleive that god made us perfect, then after the fall of man in genesis we became sinful. As such We are a sinful people.
I do not place one sin above another. As God says they are all equal. Due to this I have strong views on things deemed "sinful" by the Bible.
This includes but isn't limited to: Stealing, adultry, murder, lying, and homosexuality to name a few.
I also beleive that it is possible to care about a person and disagree with something in their lifestyle or personal decisions they've made. How many of us have family we love but that has done something we disagree with? Weather it's something as simple as who they date, where they choose to live, how they raise their kids, or as big as living a homosexual lifestyle it doesn't mean we can't love that family member.
As a Christian I'm instructed to love ALL humans. And as such it's the same thing for me.

I also believe women where created to birth babies naturally. And that we were also created to be able to feed them naturally with the breasts we were born with.
There is only a very tiny percentage of women who CAN'T nurse. Of course we all know many who "weren't able to" and sadly many of them were "booby trapped" either through their environment, a well meaning pediatrician/family member, lack of emotional or physical support,  or many other things.
I don't judge these women. It was not their fault. They did what they could. I don't judge those who use formula either. Because I am also a firm believer that women and families should have the right to choose how to raise their children, and that starts with where they give birth, how they give birth, who they choose to see(if at all) for their families care, and how they feed thier children.
This also extends into their right to choose to vaccinate or not, and homeschool, or unschool, or whatever.
As a parent I think those choices and everything in between belong to the parents and should stay that way.
However I am also pro life, and pro adoption. I beleive that it is NOT our right to choose to terminate life. to me it is murder. As such I will post pro life posts to my page.
While I am all for women's right to choose many things, What about baby's right to life? Anywho I won't argue the details of this here that's another post for another day.

You will see boobs on my facebook page, becasue I beleive in normalizing breastfeeding.
You will see posts about homosexuality on my page, as well as natural childbirth, vaccinations(I'm personally anti vaccinations but that's just me),  carseat safety facts, potty training info, baby led weaning, babywearing, CIO, Anti CIO, Positive discipline, Natural consequences, and so much more.

I have lots of links and research to back up my beliefs. I have scripture to back up my spiritual beliefs. If you don't agree that's fine with me. But my page is for my thoughts. As yours is for yours. Civil disagreements are fine, discussion is encouraged, but outright rudeness won't be tolerated. And I will delete comments as I see fit.

This goes for my blog too. ;)

Maternity Musings Part 2

So now that Ive blasted all the bad, non cute, maternity patterns I thought Id share some of the ones that are cute with you all. Now  these aren't perfect. So I've also included some non maternity patterns that could easily work for maternity clothing with very little tweaking.


http://www.etsy.com/listing/65438163/simplicity-6415-vintage-70s-misses?ref=sr_list_37&ga_includes[0]=tags&ga_search_query=maternity+sewing+patterns

This sundress is pretty cute. Plenty high enough to make the bump look cute. and the bust looks fitted enough to be comfy. Maybe with the right bra pads in it you could even go without a bra. Several lengths good for anyone's taste.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/70145279/simplicity3645-maternity-sewing-pattern

Now this one is a scrub top but in the right fabric this could be cute. I love the mock wrap front, and pockets! Score! If you are a mom to be who needs a bunch of scrub tops for work this is your answer!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/69927707/simplicity-4704-maternity-dress-top

I love this pattern since it has so many options. The strapless dress in the example is fairly plain but it's something to work with. Add some cute trim, or details or in a really pretty fabric and this could make a mom-to-be her whole wardrobe!


http://www.etsy.com/listing/52654411/1970-smock-blouse-hippiesque-blouse

I am a sucker for hippie styled blouses. I think this top could work even in the summer if done with a nice breathable cotton or woven fabric. I particularly love the one on the african amaerican woman. The neckline is so pretty! This isn't technically as far as I can see a maternity top but it could easily get you though that awkward in between phase where regular clothing doesn't fit, but the maternity clothes are too big.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/50986552/vintage-60s-simplicity-4506-maternity

Even though I hate adding them I love a simple ruffle. I love the neckline on this one, and the ruffled sleeve option is sort of charming. Though for summer I'd probably make the sleeveless dress with the ruffle on the bottom.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/56713343/vintage-1978-maternity-top-pattern

 

Now you must ignore the little evil bow on view 1 and instead focus on how cute the middle option is. Cute yoke top, with pockets and looks like it would breathe well in the summer. I'm not super fond of the sleeves but change them out with the sleeves from a different pattern and I'd call this one a hit. 

Last I want to give you some current patterns! First Megan Nielson has some super cute modern maternity clothing. And I've herd great things about her patterns! 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/megannielsen

http://www.etsy.com/listing/67374584/sis-boom-dana-top-with-scientific

 

 This top  has 2 options and is super cute. I believe option 2 is a dress. love that they have their own fabric too!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/62413964/fabulous-wing-blouse-pdf-patterns-and

I think the thing I love about this blouse is the sleeves. They are so pretty! And I love how I can picture it before during and after pregnancy.

I'm going to have to stop for now! I have many more to show you but my hubby is in bed and I should be too! It's getting late and I'm growing a person inside me after all. :)


Once again I hope the owners of these etsy shops are ok with me posting my musings on their items! I have provided a direct link to the items (with the exception of Megan's who I have linked to her etsy shop itself) so you can purchase them without a problem if your heart desires! Enjoy!

Maternity Musings

So I've now been pregnant for 17 weeks and have started looking and purchasing maternity clothing. For someone who has been reconing clothing I've been cringing at the concept of purchasing new. So I've built most of my wardrobe so far from thrift-ed or clearance items. I've not paid more than 12.00 so far for any tops. But I really think it would be fun to make some of my own. I'm sort of picky on how wide the straps on my tops are (must hide the bra straps.) and I want them long. I like my shirts to cover the top of my pants pockets already.
So making my own clothing is looking more and more appealing. Add to that all the pans for maternity don't tend to have pockets. For example I have several knit pants but the 2 with pockets look like p.j. bottoms. So I need pockets!
So I started the hunt first for free patterns. Well those I think I found 6 tops, 6 pants, and 6 misc things like belly bands and such. I am going to be wearing a lot of skirts probably since I'll be preggers till august and it is very humid here in summer. So skirts I must have and can make no problem. But tops I need some more of!
So I started searching etsy.

First thing I notice about vintage patterns. They are a-line tents that flare from directly under the arms down. Button down the front and have sleeves case in point:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/43256813/mccalls-maternity-pattern-size-ex-large
how is this flattering? What woman's body pregnant or otherwise is shaped like an A? Would you buy a piece of clothing shaped like that off the rack? If not why make it?

Next we have the horrendous Extra plus sized clothing:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/13660156/mccalls-4698-misses-maternity-top-vest
http://www.etsy.com/listing/42405914/mccalls-3604-maternity-dress-top
These are the things that where basically made BIGGER rather than made to actually fit. Typically up-sized originally from a juniors cut or such. I do not know many plus sized woman shaped right to pull of something like that so why a pregnant one?
On top of that women have curves. We like to show off our best ones. Why wear a box?

The next offender is the bow:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/6364608/mccalls-7417-misses-maternity-dress-top
A bow in the right place might be a cute femine touch. This is not one. Arguably this is not the worst offender. But still not good. How does it stay closed over the belly if there are only 3 buttons at the top? And if that is a seam down the front and not a flap why? Who wants a seam down the front of their dress/shirt? The only redeaming quality in this pattern is the cute puffy sleeves.

Now I want to know what woman who is all ready pregnant and has a huge belly wants to make her hips look huge as well? Would you wear view C while pregnant:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/64370137/vintage-mccalls-maternity-set-pattern
Not to mention the horrid matchy matchy pants? Sure I'd like to look like a summer squash in the summer!

Now we have the worst offender before I get to the halfway decent ones. I give you "maternity underear":
http://www.etsy.com/listing/51213371/1970-uncut-sew-lovely-lingerie-pattern
Now first, it may be a simply poor diagram but do those not look like ruffles across the front? What woman who is already pregnant and twice her size would want to put on ruffle front panties, under the tend dress, and become 4 times her size? What woman who is not pregnant would want her belly to stick out more than her rear?
I say no one. But hey what do I know?

Now these aren't so bad:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/68927848/vintage-maternity-dress-and-jacket
At least there are darts on the front of this dress so it will flow nicely over the belly rather than tent out.

This one isn't terrible but once again nothing really special about it:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/39271102/vintage-maternity-dress-tops-pants
They still are slightly tent like but the sleeve shape is interesting.

Last I give you the worst nursing top of all time:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/53051871/mccalls-maternity-nursing-tops-pattern
Why oh why would you want to appear like you've layered a crop top on a t shirt? Or chopped the top of a perfectly good shirt off and sewn it on top of a regular shirt? I'd say the only one here that would fool someone is the vest option since that's at least sort of inconspicuous.

I will say there are some gems out there and once I've compiled more than 3 I will make a post with them as well. :) I hope the etsy shops these are listed in do not take offense as I've linked them in case someone stumbling on my post decides they simply must have the pattern and wants to purchase it. And please know I am not critisizing any shop owner for having these patterns but the designer of the patterns for not thinking outside the box in their designing.

Us preggo's want to look cute too! And we like things like ruffles, and layers, and flowers, cute prints, sheers, ties, and buttons. Just not used in these ways!

Maternity Musings

So I've now been pregnant for 17 weeks and have started looking and purchasing maternity clothing. For someone who has been reconing clothing I've been cringing at the concept of purchasing new. So I've built most of my wardrobe so far from thrift-ed or clearance items. I've not paid more than 12.00 so far for any tops. But I really think it would be fun to make some of my own. I'm sort of picky on how wide the straps on my tops are (must hide the bra straps.) and I want them long. I like my shirts to cover the top of my pants pockets already.
So making my own clothing is looking more and more appealing. Add to that all the pans for maternity don't tend to have pockets. For example I have several knit pants but the 2 with pockets look like p.j. bottoms. So I need pockets!
So I started the hunt first for free patterns. Well those I think I found 6 tops, 6 pants, and 6 misc things like belly bands and such. I am going to be wearing a lot of skirts probably since I'll be preggers till august and it is very humid here in summer. So skirts I must have and can make no problem. But tops I need some more of!
So I started searching etsy.

First thing I notice about vintage patterns. They are a-line tents that flare from directly under the arms down. Button down the front and have sleeves case in point:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/43256813/mccalls-maternity-pattern-size-ex-large
how is this flattering? What woman's body pregnant or otherwise is shaped like an A? Would you buy a piece of clothing shaped like that off the rack? If not why make it?

Next we have the horrendous Extra plus sized clothing:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/13660156/mccalls-4698-misses-maternity-top-vest
http://www.etsy.com/listing/42405914/mccalls-3604-maternity-dress-top
These are the things that where basically made BIGGER rather than made to actually fit. Typically up-sized originally from a juniors cut or such. I do not know many plus sized woman shaped right to pull of something like that so why a pregnant one?
On top of that women have curves. We like to show off our best ones. Why wear a box?

The next offender is the bow:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/6364608/mccalls-7417-misses-maternity-dress-top
A bow in the right place might be a cute femine touch. This is not one. Arguably this is not the worst offender. But still not good. How does it stay closed over the belly if there are only 3 buttons at the top? And if that is a seam down the front and not a flap why? Who wants a seam down the front of their dress/shirt? The only redeaming quality in this pattern is the cute puffy sleeves.

Now I want to know what woman who is all ready pregnant and has a huge belly wants to make her hips look huge as well? Would you wear view C while pregnant:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/64370137/vintage-mccalls-maternity-set-pattern
Not to mention the horrid matchy matchy pants? Sure I'd like to look like a summer squash in the summer!

Now we have the worst offender before I get to the halfway decent ones. I give you "maternity underear":
http://www.etsy.com/listing/51213371/1970-uncut-sew-lovely-lingerie-pattern
Now first, it may be a simply poor diagram but do those not look like ruffles across the front? What woman who is already pregnant and twice her size would want to put on ruffle front panties, under the tend dress, and become 4 times her size? What woman who is not pregnant would want her belly to stick out more than her rear?
I say no one. But hey what do I know?

Now these aren't so bad:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/68927848/vintage-maternity-dress-and-jacket
At least there are darts on the front of this dress so it will flow nicely over the belly rather than tent out.

This one isn't terrible but once again nothing really special about it:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/39271102/vintage-maternity-dress-tops-pants
They still are slightly tent like but the sleeve shape is interesting.

Last I give you the worst nursing top of all time:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/53051871/mccalls-maternity-nursing-tops-pattern
Why oh why would you want to appear like you've layered a crop top on a t shirt? Or chopped the top of a perfectly good shirt off and sewn it on top of a regular shirt? I'd say the only one here that would fool someone is the vest option since that's at least sort of inconspicuous.

I will say there are some gems out there and once I've compiled more than 3 I will make a post with them as well. :) I hope the etsy shops these are listed in do not take offense as I've linked them in case someone stumbling on my post decides they simply must have the pattern and wants to purchase it. And please know I am not critisizing any shop owner for having these patterns but the designer of the patterns for not thinking outside the box in their designing.

Us preggo's want to look cute too! And we like things like ruffles, and layers, and flowers, cute prints, sheers, ties, and buttons. Just not used in these ways!