Post-Maternity Project Planning: The White Cami

Well, hello again! I know, I disappear for two months, and then I find the time for two posts in as many weeks. These days I don’t have the energy to do much more than rest while my daughter is resting, so I figured I might as well try to make that rest somewhat productive by writing another blog post, even if I don’t have another finished garment to show off just yet. In fact, all I have so far for my next project is the fabric prepped and cut.

What am I working on?

A simple white camisole.

And, by white I mean something in the white family. This particular silk crepe de chine, which I got from MoodFabrics.com, is called antique white.

Isn’t that something I probably already have in my closet?

Well, yes, I do already own a white cami, but…

The one currently in my closet has been there for years (probably even over a decade?!), and it’s definitely showing its age. I’ve gotten to the point where I only feel good wearing it underneath another top. For example, I’ll often pull it out to wear under a top that’s either too sheer or too low cut for me to comfortably wear alone.

I really think my post-maternity closet will benefit from having another white cami.  I’ve spent this pregnancy essentially wearing a ‘capsule’ maternity wardrobe, not feeling motivated to sew any new maternity clothes and not wanting to go out and buy something new that I’ll only wear for a few months. I’ve mixed and matched the maternity clothes I saved from my first pregnancy with those that I was given by friends, and I’ve enjoyed the simplicity of it all. My non-maternity closet could benefit from some of the lessons I’ve learned from my capsule maternity wardrobe.

For one, having a few pieces that can work with a lot of other pieces means I can pull outfits together quickly. I think a good example of this idea is jeans. These days jeans can be worn with just about any top, so if I’m in a rush, all I really have to do is pull out a top I’m excited to wear, grab a pair of jeans, and I’m good to go. I think the white cami will help me do much of the same, only I’ll be able to be creative with what bottoms I wear.

I’m imagining the white cami worn with skirts or slacks or jeans, alone or under a jacket or cardigan. Here’s a (scrollable!) Pinterest board I put together to show you what’s inspiring me for this particular project.

Okay, so what pattern am I using?

The Sewaholic Saltspring (previously made here, here, and here).

But, isn’t the Saltspring a dress pattern?

Well, yes, but without the skirt, the Saltspring is essentially a camisole. Plus, with roughly two weeks to go in this pregnancy, I’m in no position to try fitting a new pattern right now. The Saltspring fit me nicely both before and after my last pregnancy, giving me hope that my current efforts won’t be in vain once this pregnancy is behind me.

I’d of course love to try something new and sparkly, like the Ogden cami by True Bias that’s recently been popping up in my Instagram feed. I’m just not brave enough to make something from a pattern company I’ve never tried before from pattern measurements alone, not with my limited sewing time. If it doesn’t fit post-maternity, how long will it be before I find the time to make another?! Plus, the Ogden cami only just came out (as in yesterday!), and last week I was eager to take advantage of the sewing momentum I got from making an emergency baby blanket replacement.

Once upon a time I would have had the cami finished by now, no problem. However, as things are currently, I feel very lucky to have made the time in the last week to mend a pillow case and a skirt hem (I like to conquer a quick mending task or two between projects), prep the pattern by adding several inches to the bodice length, pre-wash and line dry the silk crepe de chine fabric, and cut the fabric.

Now, to start the sewing. I’m hopeful I’ll be able to finish and report back soon… just so long as new baby doesn’t decide to come too early!