Saturday 25 May 2013

The Tova Top Disappointment


So here's the thing. I made this top perhaps only three weeks after using the same pattern to make my grey Tova dress. What I didn't bank on was the rapid and unpredictable growth spurt my boobs were about to embark on. Damn. And whilst the grey dress inexplicably manages to just about fit several weeks after that (and still just about fits ok), this cotton top was too tight from the very first try-on. 


I'm pretty gutted because I really took time and care over making this top. I used some lovely cotton ikat fabric that had been lurking in my stash for the best part of a year, pre-washing it to avoid heart-breaking shrinkages. I figured out the (not automatic) button hole function of my new-to-me sewing machine and made a functioning button stand on this version when I felt after the last one that it would have been a beneficial addition. There was a small sleeve-based trauma when it turned out I didn't have sufficient fabric to accommodate my initial plans, resulting in a disappointing mid-way version and then lots of unpicking and re-working of the sleeves into what you see now. In short, I poured a whole heap of love into this make.  


Anyways, enough moaning. It's not warm enough to wear such a light weight garment here in the UK anyway (at least not for a chilly-boned person like me). I misjudged my changing pregnant body and learnt a lesson: jersey or some element of stretch from now on! Plus who is not to say that one day my boobs will return to something approaching their original dimensions and I'll be able to get some use from it. If not, expect another giveaway round these parts!

32 comments:

Suzy said...

Oh, how disappointing! It's a gorgeous top. But it might fit sooner than you think, for a lot of women their bust is biggest when they're pregnant (even more than when feeding), and that button front might make it a very feeding-friendly thing to wear when the time comes.

Hazel_Myope said...

I hope it does end up fitting. It's such a pretty top and you put so much work into it.

johanna@projects by me said...

Don't worry, that lovely blouse will fit you after you're done brest-feeding (if you're planning to). So just keep it on your closet until then. :)

badmomgoodmom said...

What a disappointment. It's a lovely fabric. It will fit someday, and the buttons up the front will make it breastfeeding-friendly.

Sew little time said...

Oh no! I went from b cup pre preg to c while preg and d while feeding. Somwhat disappointingly I was back to a b after! So you may get use out of it later

Jacinta said...

Don't worry! You'll enjoy the effort after bubs is born. Im with my fourth pregnancy at the moment and have been sewing a few things to wear post baby cause you're always sick of maternity by then. So don't give anything away while pregnant as your body is only changing to accommodate baby & generally won't stay like that. :)

Philippa said...

It's a lovely top with a very clean finish so I can see why you're disappointed! I have three children and what happened after each one was a slow reduction in weight after the birth (I don't do diets!). I am sure at some stage this top will fit you and you can still enjoy it. X

Tamsin said...

What a shame! I'm with the others though. It will fit, just not now. Put it away and it will be a nice surprise in a few months time. It is a beautiful top - I love the diagonals on the front.

Cucicucicoo said...

Oh, I can imagine how disappointed you feel! But it is just gorgeous. Just hold on to it and in another year or two you will probably be able to wear it with pride! :) Lisa

Kirsty said...

What a gorgeous top! I'm with Suzy, there will be plenty of time post baby when this top will be perfect. Post baby was when I really needed the lose tops over my stomach!!

MrsAlex said...

Such a shame not to wear such a gorgeous top straight away, but it will fit at some point. I went up to an H cup while breastfeeding, so it's pretty unpredictable what your boobs will do during/post pregnancy. Just keep in in the wardrobe for now. And, yes, jersey is fantastic!

Amanda said...

Oh noes!
I concur that you will be able to rock this fiercely post bubba arrival! Awesomeness :D

niddetissus said...

It is beautiful - you should definitely keep it for next year! Be proud of the workmanship in any case ;)

Margo said...

Hang on to it! Delayed gratification is what we'll call it. You'll fit into it in no time at all it will be so pleasurable to pull something new and soooo lovely out of your closet! When you are so busy with your new little peanut you will appreciate all the love you put into this top for youself.

Jenna said...

That is exactly the kind of top I wore while breastfeeding with a vest underneath (top pulled up, vest pulled down = no exposure!) for about a year after I had my baby. It is so lovely I am sure you will wear it a lot.

Lucy Legget said...

This is totally gorgoeus, I love the fabric and the style. Yes I second everyone else, you will get your old figure back and when you do and can get into your old clothes its so exciting, like getting a whole new wardrobe.

LisaRae said...

Definately hold on to this top. My chest returned to its almost former size after 2 kids, hopefully this top will be worn by you, it's so pretty.

Mie Brindle said...

ABSOLUTELY STUNNING! It is very clear that you have taken your time with it...beautiful! Definitely hang on to it.....after pregnancy you are dying for new clothes and this top will be perfect....it might even work for breast feeding if you are planning on that?

Minnado said...

Oh no - the top looks so lovely. But I am sure it will fit one day...xx

EmSewCrazy said...

It's beautiful! You should definitely keep it for when you can wear it again!

Sam said...

It's a gorgeous top, I do hope it fits you at some stage.

Kelly said...

Oh, I'm sorry it doesn't fit - it's just beautiful. At least it will fit again soon!

Lovenicky said...

Sorry to hear that! But you will get to wear it later for sure. The pregnant body will keep changing even more rapidly form now on. That's why when I made my maternity clothing I used mostly stretch knits just so that I could get more wear out of them longer.

Julia Bobbin said...

What a shame, it's so gorgeous! Well I hate to say it, but your boobs are going to get even bigger yet. Just wait till your milk comes in! I looked like Dolly Parton when I first started breastfeeding!

You will eventually be able to wear it though, and it's gorgeous as a non maternity top any way. :)

Jen said...

Lovely top. Keep it, as it may be your dream top during those first post-partum weeks. Remember - the baby may have arrived but the bump will be there for a little bit and roominess can be welcome.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that you probably didn't notice the increase in the bust if you've been wearing jersey tops. Jersey is the pregnant woman's friend, imho. Of all my maternity clothing, I own exactly 2 shirts that aren't jersey. Guess which ones don't get a whole lot of wear in my wardrobe rotation? I'm planning on a few more maternity me-mades (probably 1-2 dresses and 1-2 skirts) and they'll all be jersey of some kind.

Katie said...

I feel your pain! My boobs underwent the preggo growth spurt a couple of weeks ago so now it's jersey only for me in maternity and breastfeeding sewing. But don't worry, your boobs will shrink and deflate significantly once you're done breastfeeding and then you'll have a lovely new top to wear!

liza jane said...

I'm in the middle of breastfeeding angst right now so I totally understand. My boobs are out of control! Save that top for after. It's too pretty to give away.

seeds seams and upcycling said...

That is so disappointing, It's horrible when you put so much effort into making a garment and it does not work out the way you thought. Keep the top but maybe out of sight until baby comes, it is so nice.

Unknown said...

Zoe, that's beautiful! Such a gorgeous fabric. (They WILL go back to normal eventually hun!)
It will end up fitting you eventually :)
Px

Anonymous said...

I think you'll be able to wear it again so it's not a project down the drain. You did a great job!

Anonymous said...

Hi Zoe,
lovely fabric choice :-). Just hang on to it. I have a rather small a/b-Cup. It expanded a bit while pregnant and when the I started nursing it Kind of Explorer into a rather big c-Cup. I was enjoying it while it lasted ;-). I was breast feeding around 20 months and when my daughter decided to wean herself it took what felt like seconds for my boobs to return to its smallish size (only i noticed it hangs a little lower ;-(). In reality it took like maybe a few days after stopping to breast feed. So after about 27months (including pregnancy) i was able to Fit into all my dress shirts (and even into some pants i wasn't fitting into before baby because nursing this long heller me shed of some pre-pregnancy Wright at no extra effort).
so it might take a while - depending on how long you will be breast feeding - but you will fit into this tova.
Greets, Susanne

Tilly said...

Hold onto it, Zoe. I know you're not usually a woven shirt-smock person but it's sooooo gorgeous, you'll wear it after baba is born and you've deflated a bit, non? It's so beautiful! x

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...