The (tragic) tale of the lounge pants
Hi-ya. So that took a little longer than expected (as do most things in my life at this point.) The other night, whilst stapling the L-shaped tear in my lounge pants shut, I decided it was time for some new ones. It's sad that it got to that point, isn't it? Don't ask why I didn't just sew the tear in the old lounge pants. Stapling seemed quicker and more logical, although the staple weaseled it's way out by nights end, so clearly that was no better solution. But it was quicker than having to change the thread in my machine. You know I've had those lounge pants forever. Every time Chris witnessed me in them, he'd ask why I didn't just buy some new ones. I have people. And they shrunk and yaddy-ya-ya. I'd seen these Amy Butler lounge pants popping up all around blog-land for a while and it was one of the last things on my to-do list before the baby comes. I thought they'd be perfect for taking to the hospital, etc. Plus they were all wide-leggy and comfortable looking.
I had some old vintage sheets that I wanted to make them out of. The first pair, were these white ones with blue flowers. They have about a 2 foot border of flowers and the rest is this crisp white cotton. They are sooo soft.
The second were these pink ones with pink roses. I picked up this sheet at a thrift shop when I was in Utah in February. I just love the print and thought they'd make the most perfect lounge pants. The great thing about using sheets for these particular pants is that they are the perfect weight for summertime. Light and airy, comfy and cozy.
The great thing is, if you match the pattern up right, you can line-up the bottom of the pant leg with the border of the sheet and avoid having to hem them (one of my least favorite things.) I was so thrilled and spent the evening extending out the pattern (the pieces in the book are small and so you'll need freezer paper to extend them for the length), cutting, sewing, catching up on TiVo, getting more and more excited for my new lounge pants. Sacraficing my sleep for said lounge pants. Working my little fingers to the bone until well after midnight. I was so excited to try them on, so I did.
Bad idea.
Very bad idea.
Even worse idea at 1:30 a.m.
Note to self: Don't make clothes when you are 10 months pregnant, especially when they are in your pre-pregnancy size. Seriously what was I thinking? I'll tell you what I was thinking. I was thinking that they looked very generous and loose-y goosey in size and that they'd surely fit. Never mind the 50 pregnancy lbs I've gained (did I just say that out loud?) 50 lbs. Does that really have an effect on your clothing size? For reals? You mean I'm not just 50 lbs of belly? I should start preparing myself now, that I won't be having a 50 lb baby? Now you know why the pictures are taken from the knees down. I couldn't get them past my giant rear-end (or thighs, or belly or..okay anything north of my quickly disappearing knee-caps.)
Heidi says, "Hey, at least you'll have something to motivate you to get that baby weight off."
Looks like I'll be seeing you in 2009, lounge pants (if I'm lucky.)
I love reading your blog....the baby will come, the weight will go and your lounge pants will be divine!
Posted by: val | May 09, 2008 at 08:59 AM
I love these pj's you have made from sheets - what a wonderful idea!! I'll look at sheets differently now when shopping the flea market.
V
Posted by: vicki grobels | May 08, 2008 at 09:35 PM
I just had to chime in - those are so stinkin' cute - bedsheets! My personal favorite way to play with cheap fabric and find a happy accident. Don't worry, the pounds melt away...you'll be wearing them pulled all the way up long before 2009! And belated happy blogiversay - I'm so happy I found you through Em's :) Best baby wishes, too...
Posted by: Kirsten | May 08, 2008 at 03:09 PM
oh, and I forgot to add how much i love your idea using bedsheets to make lounge pants, they turned out just beautiful!
Posted by: heather | May 08, 2008 at 12:04 AM
just had to say that I totally love you blog, and regularly stop by here to enjoy your posts. And can I just say I am so impressed your toe nails are painted! at the end of my pregnancies I gave up on even trying to see my toenails, nevermind trying to reach them with a good brush of polish! Wishing you the best of labors, definitely sooner rather than later!
Posted by: heather | May 08, 2008 at 12:02 AM
just plain too funny...i might have to have me some of those lounge pants! good luck with the delivery!
Posted by: Kelly | May 07, 2008 at 04:05 PM
My darling dearest husband bought me that Amy Butler book for Christmas. I've yet to make anything out of it. I'm a bit intimidated, I think. I just love Amy Karol's "Bend the Rules" so much b/c it seems so common sense-y and easy to follow. I've been admiring those lounge pants pattern for awhile. Maybe I need to bite the bullet.
Posted by: Amanda | May 07, 2008 at 07:05 AM
I did the same thing with some lounge pants and was just as bummed. Sorry! Don't worry girlie, they will fit before 2009, don't panic. It's amazing how much of that 50 lbs is water weight, I love when that stuff comes off. Hope you're feeling alright. I'm trying to busy myself with stuff too, otherwise I'll freak that this baby hasn't come out yet.
Posted by: Jules | May 07, 2008 at 05:09 AM
you are do adorable, 50 lbs or not. maybe you need to make another pair in a slightly larger size so that you don't have to wait? i know how much that stinks to think about, but it takes me a very long time to wear my pre-prego size again.
i adore you. can't wait to hear what you name baby computer.
Posted by: michal | May 06, 2008 at 06:40 PM
Love the pants, you sewing goddess.
Can't wait to hear about the fast and painless birth of your daughter! :-)
Triple love her apron, will send pictures.
xxoo
Posted by: Kimberly | May 06, 2008 at 12:50 PM
Just wanted to say how cute those lounge pants are and how bad I wish I had a sewing maching to make some. I'm also pregnant. Due in July and that's about all I want to wear lately is my pajama pants, but they are all too heavy and I get too hot. I'm jealous. I feel like a cow, and don't even want to be seen in public. I also have nothing to wear. I feel absolutley disgusting in everything I put on. So...you are not a lone! Oh, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE your blog. Glad I fell upon it.
Posted by: Erica | May 06, 2008 at 11:52 AM
i totally agree with lindsay:
'see you in 2009, lounge pants.'
funniest thing i've read all day.
Posted by: matt | May 06, 2008 at 10:30 AM
I gained 75 with my first and 50 with my second...I feel your pain. It is funny how pregnancy changes your perception of self...for some reason I still look at size 4's when I'm shopping....then reality hits me and I go to the 10's....oh well kids are so worth it!
Posted by: Heather W. | May 06, 2008 at 09:02 AM
I always gain at least 45 and have such a warped perception of my body. I sometimes tend to think even my husband's XL's will fit (pj bottoms) to no avail. Your's are beautiful and definitely something to look forward to after the hospital stay. You need those lounge pants for a few weeks right after. Mine became my uniform and I even attempted to wear them out to Target thinking I was all dressed up! Your's look worth the effort.
Posted by: Traci | May 05, 2008 at 07:18 PM
What!?! You certainly don't look like you gained 50lbs!!! So sorry about the lounge pants ... but you'll be in them in no time!
Hang in there ...
Posted by: Rebecca | May 05, 2008 at 06:18 PM
That is so sad, but I totally feel your pain. I remember trying on my jeans a few weeks after Libby was born, thinking I was so proud of myself for already having lost a few pounds. And they weren't even my normal pre-pregnancy jeans-- they were the ones I'd bought a size up so I could wear them until I was about 5 and a half months pregnant. Surely they'd fit, right? I mean, I'd lost the belly, right? Alas, I obviously hadn't lost the hips, thighs, or butt because I couldn't get them much past my knees, either. But don't worry. I'm not a sweat-it-out-at-the-gym kind of person, just a leisurely walk and breastfeed kind of person, and those same jeans were eventually too big. It will happen.
When I went to the doctor for the first time with this pregnancy, he told me he only wanted me to gain 20 pounds. I tried to stifle the laugh....
Posted by: Jacy | May 05, 2008 at 05:01 PM
I love the lounge pants!! Especially the ones with the blue flowers. I love to wear lounge pants and I can't wait to have the baby just so I can sit in lounge pants all day guilt-free!
Posted by: Emily Ess | May 05, 2008 at 04:27 PM
Morgan,
You crack me up! I just wanted to pop in, say hi and warn you, as the mother of a 5 month old, to SLEEP NOW, while you can! Repeat after me - "sleep, don't sew.":-) In between babies I forgot what it felt like to be so sleep deprived (didn't help that I got less sleep at the hospital than at home!) Anyway, I'm sure you'll fit into the pants soon. Oh, and I never gave you my vintage baby name ideas - Hattie, Eloise, and... I can't remmeber the other one. My brain has still not recovered from being pregnant. Good luck!
Posted by: Dianna D | May 05, 2008 at 01:42 PM
Sheets... great idea. Now all I have to do is learn to sew.
I gained 50lbs with India. It'll come off. Don't worry!
Posted by: Stacie Smith | May 05, 2008 at 01:40 PM
Love the pink sheet. LOVE it. That would motivate me. And those 50 lbs will be gone before you know it. Promise.
Posted by: miss chris | May 05, 2008 at 12:13 PM
Morgan,
First of all, you do not even look like you've gained any weight besides the baby! I was looking at your profile pic the other day and you look great!!! I've been surprised how quickly I've shed a few pounds. Hurray for breastfeeding!!! I love the pants BTW. You'll fit into them sooner than you think?
Posted by: Jaime | May 05, 2008 at 11:33 AM
Oh Morgan, they turned out so cute!I have a similar sheet to the white one I was saving for just this project! I bet you'll be wearing those before you know it!!
Posted by: Domestic Chicky | May 05, 2008 at 11:12 AM
Uuuuuuh, ya. I made that same mistake last week when I TRIED to put on a pair of pre-baby jeans. "They were my *FAT* pants before-- surely they'll still fit!! And I'll just wear a dress over the unzipped zipper!", I thought. Nope. Couldn't even get them past mid-thigh. Even the ankles were tight! I fear I'll never be able to wear them again!! I sooooo feel your pain.
At least your brain is still working brilliantly! The border idea is downright genius! Excellent job. You'll be in them in no time, lounging away. :)
Posted by: Kim | May 05, 2008 at 10:16 AM
I totally understand what you are going through, seeing how I just went through child birth 9 weeks ago. Post pregnancy I have only had one skirt and 2 pairs of pants that I could fit into that weren't maternity and I haven't wanted to buy new stuff because I'm going to loose the weight right? On Sat. I gave in and went and bought some new stuff because what I had is so worn out. Good luck with going into labor! It will be so totally worth all this uncomfortableness when you first get to see your new little one.
Posted by: Amy | May 05, 2008 at 08:48 AM
So, maybe I could wear them whilst I'm there and you can admire them in action.
Yes? No? Maybe so?
:>
Posted by: Mom | May 05, 2008 at 08:46 AM