Interim Thoughts - Pausing for maternity's sake

The Cradle
Berthe Morisot  

We have a lot of babies popping up around us and are so tickled to see the little ones so welcomed and loved in their families--even the new adoptions.  Life is too short to miss these sweet times.  It is an almost overwhelming responsibility and with out the strength and guidance from our Lord it would wear a woman out.  Building godly character never changes with the times.  This is where the injunction for older women who have behavior that becometh holiness are instructed to teach the younger women the precious life-calling of being a wife and mother and all that goes with it as written in Titus 2:3-5.

As for the attire that goes with this period in a lady's life, Modestly Sew has been a little puzzled as to the style of maternity clothes seen on the general  expectant population.  To err on the side of modesty would benefit many.   Hence, I have searched the pattern catalogs for something discreet and modest for the  short waiting period and found a few.  I am sure there can be many adaptations made from many  patterns.

Kwik Sew 3486

Butterick 5763 A nice top over a skirt.
(Buttoning up the neckline and raising it if necessary.)

This one would need a  high-necked camisole or some sort of covering  over the low neckline in order to be modest.

I have not seen these kind of over blouses on any.

Butterick 5763
(Buttoning up the neckline and raising it if necessary.) The sleeves could be shorted to above elbow.

This c;ould be made out of cotton and dress length with a higher neckline buttoned up.  A blouse pattern would work for ideas.

Here is a simply constructed top that would work nicely over skirts or extended to dress length.

I hope you keep your knees under cover!

I found this style on Amazon in March and was aghast
at how it really made her appear.
 She would certainly look pretty in a dress like the following pattern.

This is a pattern from the 80s that is very simple in style with a fitted lower waist, gathered skirt, puff on the sleeve cap, and a modest length for the sleeves, either short or long, and a lace accent collar that frames  the face nicely.  Notice it is not so fitted as to be tight, but have a comfortable looseness that flatters the feminine figure.  This style would work nicely for a slender small hipped young lady.  There are many other styles that would enhance figures of various types but I am hard pressed to find some nice patterns in the major pattern

 catalogues as most are draped, wrapped, clingy, short,  stark designs,  or low necked.  I like to look at the 80s patterns because there was a return to curls, pretty and soft feminine looks with pastels and florals.

 The feminine looks of a Christian deem it important to place a high value on modesty, deportment, and style that honors God.  We look at little girls' clothing and see a lot of pretty and  almost dainty and delicate  styling and ponder fondly on them and yet there are styles that just do more harm than good on those young girls which are becoming rampant in modern America.  As Christian mothers we need to train our daughters to respect the fact that they are going to be young ladies --His princesses--and they are worthy of dressing modestly in all aspects so that attention is not drawn to the prettiness of the outfits and the demeanor of the girl but to her spirit and godly character.  Clothing styles tend to give  to standards we choose:  for example;  putting on clothes that boys are expected to wear such as jeans, t-shirt, ball cap, etc., gives credence to run with the guys or boys.  Wearing very tight clothing  that either sex wears also gives rise to the feeling of wearing a second layer of skin and the exhibitionist character that goes with it.  We can all imagine what couch potatoes wear!

I really think that we have little glimpses of what parts we think looks good and are not able to see ourselves as a whole picture.  It may help to have someone take a picture of us front, back, and side  in our  favorite outfit and then we should analyze it carefully.

Again, please do not be dictated by the styles that are for sale.  You are responsible to wear God-honoring clothes and that means nice, neat, orderly, modest, yet feminine and pretty clothes that look good on you.  ( I have never heard anyone say "those are pretty pants" or the same about a t-shirt.)  If you don't know how to sew, this would be an impetus to start.  There are many pretty fabrics available.  Have someone help you choose colors that complement you.  Find clothing styles that go with your figure type.  There are beginner patterns and if you feel brave try them on your own do it with cheap cotton or an old sheet to see how it fits.  Use a fabric that is similar to what you want to make it out of.  Find a person who has sewn a lot in your church and ask her for help.  Sewing stores as well as fabric shops often have beginner classes.  Even quilt stores will guide you through beginner classes with quilts and that would be a start.  There are also tutorials on DVDs that should be a great help.

As far as knees go,  the only "cute" knees are on little children.  Once a girl is  5 years old, knees tend to get pretty worn and look better covered.  It's probably a good thing we don't have to look at elbows!  The less skin showing the more modest one is--not that I endorse burkas or anything close to that.   My recommendations are raised necklines, covered waists, loose enough garments, and  hemlines that might be about 8-12 inches from the floor so that when you move and bend nothing shows that would cause embarrassment to anyone.