She's not.

So last month, I posted about a shirt I made that I feared would cause people to ask the question, "Is she or isn't she?" (pregnant, that is). Nancy, whose version of the shirt (Built by Wendy, Simplicity pattern 4111) was the one that first inspired me to give it ago, agreed that this pattern tends to give that look. She told me that she thought it worked best with really light materials. I also got great advice from Deborah (on Wardrobe Refashion) to look at the finished measurements of patterns, rather than automatically using what the pattern suggests is my size based on my measurements. This is the single most helpful advice I have gotten since someone showed me how to thread my machine. So with Nancy's advice, I chose a gauzy embroidered white cotton fabric. With Deborah's advice, I ended up going down two sizes. The result?

My favorite thing I've ever made.

And look - it doesn't even look like a maternity shirt.

This was honestly the most gratifying project I've done to date. One really awesome part was that several people complimented my top without knowing I had made it. Of course my enthuasiastic response to such compliments was a bit over-the-top. The day after I made it, My Old Man and I took CJ out for her 30th birthday. I got dressed and came downstairs right after our babysitter got there. Here's how the conversation went as soon as she saw me.
babysitter: I love your top!
me: I MADE IT!!!
(twirl around)
babysitter: Really?
me: YES! I'M SO EXCITED!!
babysitter: Wow. Cute buttons.
me: I KNOW!!! THAT'S MY FAVORITE PART!!! AND THEY WERE ONLY 79 CENTS!!!
babysitter: Cute.
me: I'M SO EXCITED THAT YOU TOLD ME YOU LIKED IT BEFORE YOU KNEW I HAD MADE IT!!!

I might have used more exclamation points than that.
I guess I'm kind of lucky she didn't leave after that.

Honestly, though, it was really cool to feel like something I made looked just as good as some of my favorite bought things in my closet.

pattern: Simplicity #4111, Built by Wendy
fabric: thin embroidered white cotton, from JoAnn (non-machine washable)
notions: super-cute buttons on clearance at Hancock's
modifications: none
verdict: I think it's obvious. I'm kind of crazy about it.
I did learn, though, why it's important to follow the directions when they say to stitch the armholes and then stitch them again. By the time we got home that night, I had a little hole in one of the underarms.

Isn't this fabric dreamy?

My favorite part.

As you can see, I'm pretty dang happy with it.
(Or am I laughing at the fact that over my head is the caption, in Italian: Chicken! Soup!)