My good friend Kate (see kate sew) came out with her first women’s pattern the Penelope Peplum and asked if I wanted to make it I said YES! Then slightly more reluctantly realized I would have to take pictures of myself wearing said garment. (gulp) You all are about to experience why I don’t blog about the things I make myself. It’s not because I over criticize my body, because let’s be honest all women pick themselves apart. You know what I don’t care if my hips are wide, my butt is saggy, and my tummy looks like a war zone. (hip fashion blogger was never my true calling) Child bearing is not kind to me, I gain A LOT of weight (like 70 pounds or more) so instead of picking myself apart I realize “hey I lost 60 pounds last year” I have three kids I love a lot more than my 20 year old body.
The reason I don’t blog things is because I get in front of the camera and freeze. Like a deer in the headlights. (kind of wishing that car would just hit me and get it over with) I tried to channel my selfie heroes like my Shwin counter part, and Jess, and Kate, and Delia. (they are all so natural) I put on heels because let’s face it my butt and legs need as much help as they can get these days, I practiced in the mirror, then I went for it. Out came the queen of awkward poses, and faces, and what in the world is my arm doing? I got a total of 3 count them 3 acceptable pictures. (taken by Abbey) So it’s a work in progress. (well hopefully it will progress anyway) So on to the pattern details…
Kate really nailed it with this pattern. I made 3 all with the circle skirt add on because I adore the fit and drape of a circle skirt. The top is so comfortable and has a great fit. With this one I cut the front bodice in two pieces both of the bias so I had a chevron going down the front. Then I cut the back regular. I also love that there are dress options as well and I know I will make a dozen more. She also has a little girls version which I am dying to make for Abbey and Penny.
Kristie
I can totally relate about the childbearing not being kind to me. I gain in the 60 to 70 pound range. And it seems to take forever to get rid of it all!<br />Your shirt is adorable, you are awesome for taking pictures! Way to kick the awkward/freezing in the butt! You did awesome!
Shauna@shwinandshwin
Ugh Childbearing… it's a rough one, but it yields such cute and lovable results that is makes up for the not so cute and lovable things 🙂 I am glad you think I kicked the awkwardness in the butt, it can only get better right?
Samantha
I love your shirt! Might be my favorite one I have seen so far. Childbearing has not been very kind to me either, the older I get the harder it is to lose the weight. Pictures look great!
Shauna@shwinandshwin
Thanks! It's a great pattern, I have made 3 but this one was my favorite 🙂
Dagny
Regardless of how uncomfortable you may have felt, you look great! You are half the reason that you have such beautiful children. And hey, three good pictures is better than none. I love seeing how patterns look on real women so I have a better idea of how it might look on me. Thanks for sharing. I'd love to see more of what you sew for yourself.
Shauna@shwinandshwin
Thanks! I totally agree, real women unite! My goal is sewing for myself a lot more this year so hopefully I can share a lot more 🙂
makingtheflame
You and the top both look fabulous! But yikes — I feel so badly for you that you have this self image. I've never had kids, and so cannot attribute the 80+ pounds excess I currently carry to anyone cute or lovable, but you can bet your bippy I tell myself I look fabulous, anyway. Love yourself! It's the best garment you can wear.
Shauna@shwinandshwin
Thanks! Totally love myself, I am proud of the gains, and losses, and the battle wounds left behind, not super proud of the modeling, but it gives me something to work on. I agree though women are always their own worst critic, I am hoping to help people embrace all the changes life throws at them and work with what they have 🙂
makingtheflame
Also, ahhhhhh! I have never heard of Girl Charlee before, but I'll definitely be shopping there now. Cuteness! Sassiness!
Shauna@shwinandshwin
Yes Girl Charlee is great! half my knits come there 🙂
trinh
You look great! I do love the circle skirt option. I have noticed that so many women apologize for the way they look, even the thin and beautiful ones! We should all celebrate ourselves and each other, no matter what size we are
Shauna@shwinandshwin
So true! Women are their own worst enemy!
Renee // nearest the pin
You and this top look great Shauna!! I'm quite new to sewing blogging, but I figured that if I ask the kids to pose for photos then I should do it too. I would love to see more of your womens sewing 🙂
Shauna@shwinandshwin
Thanks! I know my kids model all the time, it's probably time for me to get in the action 🙂 Perhaps I should be having them give me tips ha!
Paisley Roots
It's so fun to see more YOU pictures! I love the shirt!
Shauna@shwinandshwin
Thanks!
Rachel Booth
Awww I love it!! You look fab in your top!!! 🙂 Totally suits you!! 🙂
Shauna@shwinandshwin
Thanks!
Kalleen at Second Street
Every time I need of a picture of me in something I sew I have to have a child take it. It's just to awkward with my husband or any other adult for that matter. You and the shirt look great. I can't wait to see what you sew for yourself next.
Shauna@shwinandshwin
Yes! I have had my husband take pictures for me before and it's always even worse, which is weird because it should be more natural and then they are also usually terribly out of focus at least for the kids I set the focus and put it on a tripod all they have to do is push a button 🙂
Falafel and the Bee
Oh my goodness THANK YOU for posting this. Firstly, you look awesome.<br />Secondly, I totally get it. I feel the same way. AND I will add that combined with my awkward poses and faces, my husband (who usually has to take the photos) catches just the worst sides of me.<br />PS- the shirt is beautiful…and looks stunning on you:)
Shauna@shwinandshwin
I know my husband gets credit for taking the absolute best photo of me ever and the worst ha! It's all about the angles I guess.
A Lemon Squeezy Home
So super cute shauna!! You look great and I love how you made it:).
Shauna@shwinandshwin
Thanks! I loved your stripes version too!
autumn
I think you look fantastic! This is my favorite version of the shirt yet – I'm loving the way you cut the pieces – too clever!
Shauna@shwinandshwin
Thanks!
Jhon Frank
Ravishing <br />http://desertleather.com/Celebrity-Wears/Bane-Costumes/Bane-Jacket-Movie-The-Dark-Knight-Rises
Tara
Your top came out beautiful. I totally feel you on the mom body and the posing. Three kids haven't exactly helped my midsection at all. And the one shirt I made myself so far has yet to be blogged because I don't even know what to do about taking my picture.
Trine (groovybaby)
Shauna – you look gorgeous! Great take on the top
Lindsay Wilkes
Looks great, Shauna!!! Ha…….my stomach looks like a war zone too. But hey, I figure I won the prize……three beautiful, healthy kiddos. Totally worth it. But honestly and truly, you look fabulous!! That top is very flattering on you and I love the fabric you chose!
Jess@craftiness is not optional
I am the SAME. EXACT. WAY. with pictures. I freeze and or make dumb faces in the hopes of loosening up. I am straight up awful. It's really nice to know I'm not the only one who feels awkward in front of the camera 🙂 And for what it's worth I think you look great 🙂
Cheryl Kuczek
Girl……you have nothing to worry about…you are looking good!! Have fun, and enjoy….you did awesome work with this top!!
Ken Michale
i like this style. Thank you for share.<br /><a href="http://www.friv2game.org" title="Friv" rel="nofollow">Friv</a> | <a href="http://kizi-1.kizi2.com" title="Kizi 1" rel="nofollow">Kizi 1</a> | <a href="http://www.yepi250.com" title="Yepi" rel="nofollow">Yepi</a>