This project went through quite the evolution before I finished with it. First, I wanted to make an Old Navy Rollover Skirt knock off with interlock instead of jersey. I was planning on using this beautiful full skirt as a starting point, but the interlock wasn’t wide enough for the pattern. Then, I bought a black stretch denim which I instantly regretted because of the color and its inappropriateness to the pattern. A final trip to a larger fabric store gave me the lightweight (9 oz) navy stretch Denim above and Butterick 3134.
Before I give you all the details, I wanted to share with you another project I have been working on these last few months.
Yup. Baby #4 is due the beginning of April. Four kids. 4. Quatro. Quatre. yeah. Take some time to let that sink in. It certainly has taken me a few months of lying on the couch feeling nauseous to start to believe it. 🙂
It has also thrown off my Project 12 sewing plans a bit. I thought I was going to tailoring pants by now! God has other plans I suppose. Instead, this month I learned how to convert a skirt pattern into a maternity skirt.
Man, is that waistband super comfy. It is made of a cotton/spandex tubular rib knit. Even without elastic added to the waistband, it is grippy enough to withstand tugging toddlers.
The waistband is extra tall for continued growth.
I brought the hem up 2 inches instead of the recommend 1 1/4″. A double folded hem seemed like it would be too bulky with denim. Instead, I folded once and serged the raw edge.
I’m also super proud of using a twin needle for the top-stitching on the hem. I can never sew two parallel lines no matter how carefully I try. The twin needle really made it ridiculously easy. It took me all of five minutes to set it up and it saved me a good 15 minutes of painstaking stitching.
Exciting Things about This Project
- Converting a pattern to maternity! I made a separate entry for those interested in those type of details. Tutorial: Converting a Skirt Pattern to Maternity
- Working with a double needle. It made for quite the professional looking hem!
- Finishing before the end of the month.
What to sew next….?
I love this skirt Jodi! It is SO flattering on you. I am VERY tempted to make one for my next pregnancy.
You should. 🙂 Super comfortable… now if I can only find some tights I like so I can wear it all winter.
Oooh! Very nice! I really does look perfectly professional, but then, that’s what you are 🙂 I am looking forward to some maternity alterations (and soon! I can’t go around with unbuttoned pants forever!), and this skirt is inspiring… also just like you! God bless you, little #4, #1-3, and your photographer! Today I’m going to attempt quilting with a walking foot (which I’ve never used before)… pray for me! I need some of your fearlessness today…
I hope you find some cheap pants with your amazing thrifting skills and make some awesome maternity pants for yourself.
You will love the walking foot! Nothing scary about it. I imagine it is the same as mine as we both have Brothers. Are there directions included in your machine manual?
St. Tabitha, Pray for us!
I love the skirt! Beautiful! And I’m so impressed you’re altering patterns to maternity. And I love the baby bump. You are beautiful!
Aww thanks Reenie! I’m liking that I’m looking pregnant instead of fat now. 🙂 The frumpy stage is always a tough one.
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