The enclosed pictures are of my fall nursing wardrobe and I am so excited about it! Since I recently lost of my "baby fat" I wanted to have some fashionable new clothes to show off my figure. I wanted my outfits to have easy, fast access and not look like nursing Clothes so I'll be able to wear them even after we wean. ELD#307 to the rescue! Every item in my fall wardrobe was made from Views 5 and 6 except the short shirt, which is from NC#106. I chose knit fabrics for comfort, in coordinating colors and patterns so I can mix and match. The tops are perfect with pants, too. I copied all the pattern pieces for View 5 onto butcher paper, made my alterations and then lengthened or shortened each piece as needed, changing certain details to get the looks I wanted.

The idea for my dress-up outfit (pictured left) came from a ready-to-wear one that was almost $100.00. I used black velour for the skirt and a wonderful purple chenille sweater knit for the sweater which I bought on sale. I measured a favorite sweater to get the length I wanted, them I shortened the front panel about 1 ½ inches. I bound the neck and overlay edges with black velour, and used a self-fabric covered button. I added a seam in the back of the skirt so I could have a walking slit. With patience and careful bargain hunting, my outfit cost me about $16.00! It was perfect for the holidays and is great during worship services. It is my favorite fancy outfit to wear now, even if I won't be nursing!

My inspiration for the black rib-knit dress was also a ready-to-wear one I'd seen for $89.99! I bought this fabric 3 1/2 years ago for $2.00 a yard and never decided what to do with it. (It pays to shop your stash!) I measured a favorite dress to get the bottom layer length. For the top layer I wanted a jacket look, so I used the length from a long vest pattern I have. I rounded the bottom front of the overlay and brought the overlay neckline up, adding 4 decorative buttons from the neck down. I cut another back piece the same length as the front overlays to make the jacket back. This fabric is very loose and stretchy, so I had a little trouble keeping the shape of the neckline and hems. It ended up a v-neck which thankfully, I like a lot. For about $8.00 I have a classic, comfortable , easy to nurse in dress, and nobly know its true purpose.

I loved the white and gray floral kashmiri fabric from the fabric club last year, so I bough a bunch on sale, and found the coordinating flowered kashmiri in my local fabric store for about $4.00 per yard. I lengthened the twin set shirt to jacket length by using the same length as the black dress jackets. I bound the neck and front with black velour , so my top coordinates with all three skirts. I also put waist darts in the back to give it more shape. (pictured left)

I made a floral top in the style of NC#107, but closer fitting and shorter. I used the lengths I'd already measured from the sweater twin-top to get the right look. I cut two fronts and two backs, one set 1 ½" shorter than the others. The cut the nursing armhole opening in the longer front piece and reversed the longer pieces to the sold gray side for contrast. I added a turtleneck and did a lettuce edge on the hems and sleeves. (pictured right)

The nightgown's fabric was on the clearance table for less than $2.00 per yard. It is very soft, with a pink and white design that was printed for breast health awareness. What could be more appropriate for a nursing nightgown? I used the long length from the black dress and the short overlay length from the flowered shirt. I attached the front panel at the shoulder neck and armholes, narrow hemmed the sides and added velcro to keep the sides closed. I did a lettuce edge of the hems and sleeves and a narrow pink stain binding on the neck. Then I added a bright pink ribbon and pin rosebuds at the neck to match the fabric print. I made a cut bow headband with an extra strip of fabric. The nightgown is cozy and cheerful, perfect for fall and spring weather.

When my first baby was born I aimed to nurse for 6 months. Not only did we go way beyond that, but now I've been nursing my second daughter for 19 months with no sign of stopping soon. It would not have been possible without the clothes I sewed using Elizabeth Lee's patterns and her encouragement to keep on working at nursing and at sewing. I am so grateful, and I know that some day my little ones will be, too.