kind of the last minute

April 16, 2014

Written by Meg

I know it probably makes very little sense to make new maternity clothing 5 weeks before your due date – but that’s when i made this crop top.

Whatever, sometimes you just need something new right?! I’ve been pretty good this time round at keeping my maternity wardrobe tight – but still, i couldn’t help myself wanting something fresh at the end.

I used my wrap maternity top pattern to create the crop top, (the cropped variation with elbow length sleeves) – If you’ve got the Simplicity 1468 version of the pattern, it’s view A. If you have the original printed version of the wrapped maternity top, then it’s a really simple alteration to the pattern piece – you can get the updated instructions here.

It was a really quick sew and very satisfying. And on the plus side – i think it’ll be good for nursing too. Yay! I may even add a skirt to it later to make it into a dress – Ooooo or maybe a peplum!

[Make this look]

Top: Megan Nielsen cropped wrap maternity top // Pattern
Skirt: Thrifted
Shoes: Swedish Hasbeens
Socks: Myer
Necklace: Merl Kinzie // Clydes Rebirth

About Author

Meg

Meg is the Founder and Creative Director of Megan Nielsen Patterns, and is constantly dreaming up ideas for new sewing patterns and ways to make your sewing journey more enjoyable! She gets really excited about design details and is always trying to add way too many variations to our patterns.

9 Comments

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Ginger

9 years ago

Dude, you’re growing a human being- you deserve to wear whatever you want to! Love this color on you!

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Meg

9 years ago

Reply to Ginger

Girl you are so awesome, i will now send you a virtual hug hehehe

Helen

9 years ago

Really cute! It would be nice with a skirt on it!

And I made 2 versions of your ruched mat tee last week at 35 weeks, so I hear you on needing something new. Plus I finished up work and realised I actually had very little casual maternity wear!

Your skirt is lovely too!

Author

Meg

9 years ago

Reply to Helen

Thanks Helen! I’m really excited to try adding a skirt – though it’s taking all my self control not to do.it.right.now. Somehow sewing a new dress at 2 weeks before my due date feels even sillier than 5 hehehe.
Anyway, i’m SO glad i’m the not the only one who needed something new at the end – i was worried i was a bit crazy for sewing so late! But i’m even more thrilled to hear that you have been enjoying the ruched tee! I swear i have lived in that pattern all pregnancy :)
Hope you’re doing well in your last few weeks – we can feel whale like together hehehe
XOXO

mjb

9 years ago

I love your hair color here!

Author

Meg

9 years ago

Reply to mjb

THanks so much honey! I am really really enjoying the change!! XOXO

Nicoletta

9 years ago

It looks great! I have done my first version of the crop top following your instructions. My neckline is not looking so good. I am not an expert with knits, any suggestion? Could be that the fabric is not so stretchy in both directions? You look great with this outfit.

Author

Meg

9 years ago

Reply to Nicoletta

Hey sweetie! What a pain!
I have a feeling the stretch percentage isn’t the issue, it’s nice to have 4 way stretch – but as long as you have horizontal stretch it should be fine. It’s always hard to tell without actually seeing the neckline, but i have a few ideas:
– Sometimes simply pressing the neckline gets it to lay better. I’m a super stickler for pressing, and it’s amazing how many evils it can tame!
– Sometimes knit necklines can stretch out if using the wrong stitch, or if the tensions of your machine or pressure of the presser foot are a little off. Did you use a zig zag or a twin needle? those are the best for knits, but can require some tweaks.
– If a neckline is being really rowdy, my favourite knit trick is to sandwhich some fusible hemming tape inbetween the fabric folds and iron before topstitching. It seems to help the neckline maintain its shape throughout sewing and wearing.
I hope that helps a little bit and that i haven’t misundertsood or something!
Knits can behave so differently that i usually end up sewing a quick practice seam and quick hem/neckline with scrap fabrics before sewing to make sure all my settings etc are right.
hugs! xoxo

Nicoletta

9 years ago

Thanks, I think I will try to play more with my sewing machine to see the more appropriate combination of stitch, tension etc. And I will try on scrap this time :) thanks for always find time to reply, especially now.

kind of the last minute

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