Free Maternity skirt pattern tutorial. The 30 minute skirt!

The 30 Minute Maternity skirt

This tutorial is for personal use only, I share it because Maternity clothing is extremely overpriced and I believe it should be cheaper because of the amount of time you use it.

However, that is definitely not the case, so here is an easy peasy skirt to make for yourself!

What you need:

v  Sewing machine that can zigzag stitch.

v  Stretch fabric. Amount depends on your length. Approx 2 yards made a decently flared skirt for myself. This could be jersey, Lycra or other, as long as it has a stretch to it. I used some fabric I found at a thrift store which is a matte stretch Lycra, similar to swimsuit fabric.

v  Thread in matching or contrasting color.

v  Tape measure, scissors, pins, iron and fabric pen. Depending on how you work, depends on what you will actually use.

Getting started:

Measurements you will need: (write them down)

A.   Under bump/ hip minus 3 inches: ……………. (Mine was 40” which became 37”)

B.   From under bump to desired length of skirt +2” for hems: ……………(Mine was 20” which became 22”)

C.    Half of under bump/hip + 1 inch for seams: ………………(37/ 2 +1= 19.5”)

Note: If you are undecided about length I like to cut longer and shorten later!! Much easier that way.

1.        Cut a rectangle of fabric 17 inches x measurement A. Example:  37 x 17.
2.  Cutting two skirt pieces. Now how flared is up too you!  Measure and pin/mark measurement C onto folded fabric as shown below. From there measure down folded edge measurement B Then measure straight across fabric to desired flare. And back to measurement C.
   Cut another piece the same using the first as your template.
3. 

   Pin and sew the skirt pieces together down both sides. Either use a stretch stitch if you have it or a small zigzag stitch. Remember that the smaller the zigzag, the more stretch you will get. If you end up with the fabric buckling slightly be careful not to pull the fabric while you sew, you still might end up with some, and in that case the wave will go away with a good press from a stream iron to re-shrink the fabric. (If you are still having issues, place plain paper under fabric you can rip out later.)

 4.      Next sew your rectangle waist piece into a tube.Below

5.       Now, the next is hard to explain even with a picture. Turn both skirt and waistband pieces RIGHT side OUT. Put the tube inside the skirt and pin and stitch the pieces together.
Once the pieces  are stitched together it should look like this: 

6.      Iron the tube top down.

Then fold the tube in half so the top lines up with the bottom of the tube. Pin and stitch. Take this step slow to try and get it as close to the top of the skirt, this is the hardest step.

7. With a lot of jersey and Lycra fabrics you don’t need to hem, but if you do, this will be your last step!  You could get “fancy” and slightly pull the fabric as you stitch to give it a scalloped wavy edge! Have fun with it!

YOU’RE DONE!!!!

Blooming lovely Bloomers 3-6 months

So I usually make Diaper covers in the more traditional Diaper shape. But wanted to try and make the cute old fashioned "bloomer" Style. So here goes nothing!

I stayed pretty neutral so they would match two dresses I previously made with this teal color fabric. BUT, next time I can't wait to get more adventurous.

The pictures don't really do this cute little bubble bloomer justice, can't wait for my little model to arrive!

The next one I make I think I might try a contrasting waistband and ruffle/skirt.

Longest Pregnancy Ever Recorded

Throughout life you encounter challenges, both positive and negative. My pregnancy is certainly positive, but like everyone have myself experienced negative side effects. Call me a control freak, but I like to know the "In's and outs" of anything that I undertake and pregnancy is no exception!Consequently I have learnt A LOT but still come across new things everyday.
Today's new fact which certainly puts things into perspective for me is the fact that a woman can be pregnant for up to a YEAR.
Now for the average woman this seems ridiculous, but for those of you that went beyond what doctor's call full term and had to be induced. What if that induction was not available??? And what if we did not have calendars, tickers, aps and countdown clocks to monitor and tell us moment to moment the exact day that we should "pop"?
You would have to continue until the little monkey was ready to make an appearance.

Science knows many things but some mysteries of the body are just that, mysteries. For example, where is amniotic fluid produced?
Going forth on my tedious, exciting, painful journey I take with me the fact that I will be having a Csection, I have no choice and so there will be a definitive end for me.

And I hear you ask; What was the longest pregnancy ever? The answer is 375 days long.
And then I think, how big was this long timer? Just under 7 pounds, perfect, healthy and well done!
Mrs Hunter, the mother, who gave birth in Los Angeles to Penny Diana, I salute you.

Patience Quote:
Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Waldo_Emerson

Matching flower headband

Wow that was easy..... maybe I should go do some chores now.

Hubbies pick

The next one!

My Lovely husband (rough and tough as he is!) choose and brought this fabric for me. Whenever I drag him in the fabric store he gravitates towards this print. 

 I felt a little pressure on this design (silly I know) but he loves it! So I decided on making a wrap dress so maybe this one will last our little girl longer than some of the other styles! Fingers crossed.

What do you think??

CAN"T STOP CREATING!!!

My life right now is limited, I am physical complications to my pregnancy and so I sew, I create, and I pass time! I just finished my little reversible Jumper dress AND I LOOOOVE it. I wanted to try and do a scalloped edge, I love ruffles but wanted something different but still cute.
I was thinking about making it into a tutorial, its so easy to make !

Now I have finished that I need a new project. I need to make some diaper covers, but its because I NEED to do it that I am avoiding it!
Hmmmmmm, maybe I'll finish the matching flower headband for the jumper first.

Maybe I'll want to make the matching diaper bloomers after that. Now just need to decided how to make the scalloped edge work on the bloomers!