A pregnant pause & a pattern dilemma

So... that was awkward.

The last time I was here, I was signing up for Me Made May, and referring to partially finished garments, and promising to be back soon after my tropical holiday. And here I am, months later, with not so much as a single stitch to show for my absence.

You'll have to forgive me. My creative energies were otherwise occupied.

We're thrilled about this much hoped for but still unexpected turn of events. The cat seems rather less certain about this new development.

Turns out growing a human being is pretty tiring work. At least it was for me in those first few months. The very idea of trying to chase the moving target of my ever-evolving shape was too exhausting to bear. And oh boy, my shape started evolving much more quickly than the books told me it would. Or at least, my wardrobe took a hit much sooner than I might have expected. Although, in retrospect, it makes sense. As a short-torsoed gal, my waist was the first thing to go. And as a short-torsoed gal, I've tended to wear garments that are specifically constructed to nip in and define my largely non-existent waist. One of the things no one tells you about early pregnancy (probably because no one likes to talk about their gut function needlessly) is that bloating becomes some sort of Olympic sport. I mean, well before I had any kind of bump related to the baby my belly would swell by inches by the end of every day. So a pencil skirt that I'd happily fit into first thing in the morning would have me tearing it from my poor, constricted body in desperate relief by the time I got home in the evening. Right now, comfort is everything, so that nonsense had to stop. Still, sad times putting those bad boys into storage. I sure do miss them.

(Incidentally, who are these people who squeeze themselves into their normal clothes until the third trimester and WHY DO THEY SO TORMENT THEMSELVES?! I will never understand.)

Anyway. Initially, I threw money at the problem by going shopping. But after spending way too much money posting returns I've decided that, for now at least, so-called maternity clothing is just not my bag. Thankfully, I found my sewjo this week in the clearance basement at Misan Textiles, and armed with some metres of jersey gorgeousness I'm hoping to get back in the saddle of my sewing machine, so to speak.

So, this is the part where I beg for your help please! Where are the good maternity patterns? Or patterns that aren't maternity but could be adapted without too much headache? I'm already thinking the Wiksten tank and Scout tee made up in knit fabric would be ace, as my woven versions have done a stellar job of fitting me well enough so far, despite the rather stupendous blossoming of my boobs. And I'm hoping I can hack a Hemlock dress, and perhaps slightly adapt the Sloppy Josephine tee and Blair Batwing shirt patterns, which I already own. So Zo's maternity jersey top hack will do brilliantly for adapting tops later on, and DIY Maternity seems to have some useful ideas, but what else? I've seen the Megan Nielsen maternity patterns, but the selections offered by the larger pattern companies look as abysmal as the selection of maternity wear out in the shops. I'd love things with interesting design lines, like the (non-maternity but oh so suitable) dress from Cos (above top), which I totally bought and will rock the hell out of as soon as the temperature dips a bit. Maybe I just need to invent my own interesting highlights on basic designs? Like this bit of draping across the simple t-shirt dress from & Other Stories? (Also bought. I told you I threw money at the problem.) Is this sort of thing hard? I still feel like such a sewing novice that playing around with patterns in this way makes me feel very nervous.

Do help a pregnant girl out. And if you know of any sewing blogs featuring maternity wear, please do send their links my way. My poorly dressed bump thanks you in advance.