Flattering Post-Partum Pounds & DIY: The Boxy Top and Pencil Skirt

Sewing

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 Looking for a handmade outfit that’s easy to sew AND flattering?
This boxy top and knit pencil skirt are both; great beginning sewing projects!

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Over the past 10 (!!!) baby-making years of my life, I’ve learned a lot about how my body changes during and after pregnancy.  I usually need some extra camouflage on top during those first few months of nursing and a loose, boxy top is a great way to do that.  On bottom, I prefer a slim silhouette so I can avoid looking heavier all over.  Knit pencil skirts for the win!

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The triangle fabric for the top is this ponte I got from Girl Charlee.    Ponte is a tad heavier than most knits, sturdy and about the easiest knit to sew with, hands down.  I also made a gathered midi skirt from this same fabric because I was inspired by this matching set from Loft…

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I haven’t worn the two together yet, though, because I think it just kinda makes me look big all over.  I’ll try wider skirt shapes again after losing a couple pounds 🙂

The top was made by loosely following this tutorial by Make It & Love it  (one of the awesomest blogs on the Interweb).  Dolman tops are about THE easiest thing on the planet to sew because the bodice and sleeves are all one piece!  I just skipped the waistband that Ashley did because I wanted to do the half tuck thing.  Plus ponte is less flowy so it wouldn’t have bloused as well.

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As for the skirt, I’m ridiculously obsessed with this neon pink fabric.  It’s super stretchy with a fun texture and the color that defines my life.  Ha!

No, but seriously.  Neon Pink 4 Lyfe.

I found it at SAS in Tempe (if you’re an AZ local, this is one of my fave fabric stores!  There are two more in Phoenix too.)  It’s sort of one of those overstock dump places with just bins and bins of piled up fabric. It takes lots of child-free time to look through but, let’s be honest, is there any BETTER way to spend an afternoon than by yourself at a cheap fabric store??  They also sell notions for dirt cheap too.  Just bought 50 YARDS of 1″ elastic for $25 the other day.

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This super easy skirt takes like maybe 20 minutes.  Dana at Made has a great video for pencil skirts and it’s probably the easiest knit project someone can start with!  If you look closely you can see that I didn’t even hem this one.  I was feeling particularly lazy that day but I did go back and hem it later to avoid the little bit of rolling it did.  I even have another yard or so of this fabric and I can’t wait to use the rest!!

Grand total for this outfit was about $16 (not counting my TJ Maxx shoes and Target wallet…nothing but high fashion here, people) and took me less than two hours.  I LOVE that!!!

 

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4 Comments

  • Reply
    Super Quick Boxy Top
    October 8, 2015 at 1:07 am

    […] Remember this post where I talked about how important loose tops and knit pencil skirts are in my life right now?  Well this is another rendition of that type of shirt and I just can’t get enough.  Bonus: this baby honestly takes 30 minutes to whip up.  The perfect project for those with creative ADD.  Ahem, moi. […]

  • Reply
    Cocoon Dress from The Sew What Club
    October 17, 2015 at 10:40 am

    […] neon pink fabric was the same stuff I used for this pencil skirt and it’s my favorite!  Evidently, though, I need to work on my neon photography skills since […]

  • Reply
    Heather Travis
    October 27, 2017 at 11:10 am

    Bonnie, you look beautiful in that black/white creation, and the skirt is just “to die for” . The blouse with the matching b/white skirt is gorgeous .. It’s hard for me to imagine you are wife and a mother of 8 beautiful children some of them being homeschooled … . And you have this great web site as well. Be Happy Bonnie. HT

    • Reply
      Bonnie
      October 27, 2017 at 12:01 pm

      Thanks so much Heather! That is so sweet of you to say 🙂

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