So excited to share this tutorial with you today!! I’ve mentioned this before, but during pregnancy i have like a million more “i hate everything in my closet what am i going to wear” days. Thats what happened on the day i made this dress. I was frustrated and i wanted to wear something flowy and chic and i wanted it 5 minutes ago. So i came up with this nifty little dress. It involved 2 seams, some clever cutting and voila, chic easy going maternity wear.
I will absolutely be making more of this little number and its so easy that i feel that a tutorial is very very necessary. This is one of those pieces that works just as well for the pregnant gal and the non-pregnant gal, can be made shorter to be a top instead, and fantastically is perfect for beginners who want quick results with very little sewing knowledge or effort required.
Sometimes simple is best! Am i right?! Okay ready to learn how?
1) Get yourself some nice drapey stretchy fabric (i tried this with stiffer jersey and the drapey thin stuff makes for the best look in my personal opinion). Width ways the piece should equal your ‘hips’/widest part + 6″ ease + 1 1/4″ seam allowance. Remember the stretchiest direction of your fabric should be running width ways, ie horizontally across your body. Length should equal your desired length + 5/8″ seam allowance. If you are going to add a cool hemline like mine, you’ll need to add extra length to your fabric to that amount.
2) Fold your fabric in half width ways, and with right sides together. Sew down the side 5/8″ from the raw edge. No need to finish the edges unless you want. Since this is jersey, it won’t fray
3) Now shift that side seam so that it is in the center of the tube of fabric (this will be the centre front of your dress or top). Now sew 5/8″ from the raw edge along the top edge of your tube of fabric
4) Now its time for some clever cutting! Using the measurements above cut out the armholes and neckline, and if you opted for a cool hemline, cut that out too. I did not bother to hem or finish any raw edges and rather let them curl up over time. I think this adds to the drapey look and keeps the project quick and simple.
Now belt it at your waist (or above your belly if you’re pregnant like me!), or knot the hem, pin it in crazy places, wear it as a chic sack – honestly the options are endless, and you would not believe how many ways i’ve already found to wear and style this dress in different ways!
