The Magic Birthday Dress

It is no surprise I claimed last year as the best year of my life. It truly was. With age I am finding more wisdom than ever before. I am learning to love me. I am learning to love this body that has housed 5 babies. I am learning to give myself time and take care of myself instead of neglecting me. My days are crazy. I probably lose my cool more than I would like to admit, but man I just LOVE where I am right now. I have finally learned the word No and it is freeing. No to things that clutter our life or tear apart our family time. I may be failing in some aspects of parenting, but I am winning in others. Right now I am really struggling with obedience and maybe giving the kids my all some days, but I am really working hard. I am loving my kids more fiercely than I may have in the past and above all falling in love with my husband more and more every day. 31 was seems a bit daunting, but I am up for the challenge. I don't think it can top 30 and enjoying a full year of twin babies and my three older kids, but I hope it proves me wrong. The days are flying by and I am really hoping to cherish them even more.

So what does all this have to do with a dress. I think I have said this several times, garment making for myself has given me freedom. Freedom to love me. Freedom to love my baby hips, and c sectioned stomach. It has been a hard journey, but I can now fit my clothes to my body instead of trying to fit my body into the industry standard of clothes. This particular dress is magic and I happened to wear it yesterday for the first time specifically for my birthday, because it is my favorite.

I may have a slight obsession with this pattern. When I order any fabric, the question is how many yards, because I may need to make a Mama Isabel . This dress is magic and above all else every breastfeeding moms perfect dress! I gave up dresses last summer and I was so sad to do it. I just could never nurse the girls and wear them. Well, this summer is filled with dresses and specifically this dress! Anthony normally doesn't say much about what I sew. To him it is just clothes, until this dress. He was really in love with it and I am not the first person to say that about their spouses. 

I had pinned several similar dresses so when I saw it I knew I needed it. It is a fabric hog as it is a true wrap dress which is so flattering for most figures, but plan for several yards! It comes with so many options including shirt, short dress, knee length dress, and maxi. 4 different sleeve lengths, and two hem options. Needless to say the combinations are many. This is my beloved Chey fabric which ranks pretty high on my favorite of all time. It is double brushed poly and oh so soft. I had truly hoarded it all winter. It is very similar to the blue fabric I unboxed for you. I may have a slight liking towards blues and pinks together. I knew it had to be the first dress. I didn't even make a trial run and cut it. Somehow I was able to get it out of 2 yards, but I used every available piece. The day I went to photograph it, my camera wouldn't focus so this is the only usable image, but look at that beautiful tulip hem.

I knew this would be my Easter dress too. Remember that pastel floral I unboxed. Well, that is what my Easter dress was. I love this dress just as much. It is so comfy, yet so beautiful. 

Excuse my facial expression in this next photo. It is not by any means flattering, BUT look at the dress. This was the best photo that represented it, so I put my pride aside and am posting it. It is why photographers don't give all images. Who really wants pictures like this of themselves?!? Not me! 

This dress may seem complicated, but seriously it is so easy! I have two sitting on the hemming table for Lilliana and will post those soon along with a funny story. It is so flattering and just magic. Have I convinced you you need it?!? The best news is it is on SALE!! Made for Mermaids is having a sale. There is a code in their Facebook group for 30% OFF all patterns on their sight. I  get nothing for telling you this. I just want you to have a dress you love and I think you will love this one. 

7 more actual school days and we are on summer break! I am counting down the days to a more organized house, less structured days, more Popsicles, more yes's to their whims, more sewing, more outside time, more zoo trips, more lazy days, more photography, and MORE blogging! I have an entire month's of photos waiting to be shared. Until then you get snippets. Have a blessed Monday.