Bring on Spring

Before and After

Although I may look slightly happier in the "before" picture, I am really pleased at how this project turned out. I found this maternity hoodie on sale and wasn't sure about it because the zipper doesn't go all the way to the bottom so I have to pull it on over my head... but it is so comfortable (once I get it on) and I really needed something new since my favourite hoodies don't quite cover my belly anymore. Inspired by some handcrafted clothing I wanted to buy, I decided to spruce it up a little with fabric appliqué. Now I'm in love with it!

More details to follow for others interested in bringing more colour and fun into your February wardrobe (plus a bonus belly shot)...

I used materials I had already: fabric scraps and "heat n' bond" iron-on fabric adhesive.

I originally used the heat n' bond for yay flags (and mazel tov flags) for our wedding, bonding two layers of fabric together instead of using paper as in that link. To give the fabric some body, I used the "ultra" weight but this was very hard on sewing machine needles. Hand or machine stitching would fancy up this project (and more firmly secure the edges of the appliqué) but if that's what you're into I recommend using a lighter weight of adhesive. Since I didn't want to break any more needles and wanted to keep this simple, I just left it as is  and it will be a learning experience if the edges fray in the wash.

The heat n' bond is easy to use - cut off a piece of paper-backed adhesive, briefly iron it to the fabric scrap (they aren't kidding when they recommend just 1-2 seconds of ironing here - otherwise it won't bond to the main fabric when you're at that stage), peel off the paper...

... cut out a shape, and iron onto the piece of clothing. Although the picture above shows removing the paper from the entire fabric scrap after ironing, it works better to cut out the shapes while the paper is still attached and that way the unused scraps are more easily stored for another project.

I just winged it with cutting out a bunch of leaves and then choosing the ones I wanted to use when I laid them out on the hoodie. Then I peeled off all the paper and ironed everything down at once (they say 4-6 seconds but I iron for longer). I was careful, of course, not to catch the edge of the iron on some of the leaves and roll them up into a sticky mess and get adhesive all over the iron. Nope, I made sure to avoid that entirely. (While still warm, a clean cloth should rub the sticky stuff off, not that I know if that works or not...)

Done! I also added some flowers on the side/back. This worked really well and I hope it holds up in the wash. I think a bit of the adhesive "soaks" into the fabric as it is ironed because visually the colours and edges of the appliqué shapes seemed to soften and meld into the main fabric of the hoodie in a really pleasing way. Bring on spring! 

And the promised belly shot for those who just want to see some skin: Taken this morning @ 21 weeks.

I think I officially look pregnant now.