If there’s one thing I’ve realized from making maternity clothes, it’s the beauty and comfort of simple things. A rectangular piece for a skirt, a simple top with straight angles and the neckline as the only curve, and there you have a lovely comfortable outfit.
Have you heard of the Frances top pattern from Fibre Mood? A top released as a free download at the end of this summer on the brand’s website. Those of you who follow me on Instagram have probably seen my first version of this pattern made in black linen.
This Frances top is a perfect pattern for beginners with its gathered sleeve hems. You will notice that here the gathers have been omitted because I was looking for quite an airy style for the entire outfit. In reality that day I was far too tired to complete the last step which is inserting the elastic in the sleeves. So I left it like that, for now, then I realized it gave another style that I actually liked in the end.
For the skirt part, an ideal maternity skirt, at least in my opinion, starts with the idea of an elastic waist to which you add gathers, pleats, basically anything that can technically work with an elastic waist. I’ve slightly changed the pattern of my favorite rectangular skirt which you can find the tutorial for here. Now at the top sides, I add a curved shape to create a slightly different form in order to give less volume at the waist. I could make a pattern for you if several of you are interested.
For the fabric, I found a beautiful Yves Saint Laurent poplin, a lovely quality poplin that gives quite a simple and nice result. What do you think? It’s true that in a little while my belly will escape from the top as you can see, the solution will be to tuck the top into the skirt by wearing the skirt high-waisted.
I also made this set in a lovely teal blue. I’ll show you that one very soon too!
See you soon đ
XX
Elaine
———————————
English version
There is something I learned about sewing maternity wear: The simpler the better! A rectangular pattern piece for a skirt, a simple angled pattern for a top, and you’ve got and elegant attire.
Have you heard of the Frances pattern top from Fibre Mood? A pattern that was released this summer and available for free download. What I really like about this pattern is the elastic included in the sleeve seams. Those of you who follow me on Instagram might have seen the first version I made in a black linen. However as you can see, I did not add the elastic in the seams, as I was really tired that day. Then when wearing it the following day, I actually liked it airy just like that.
Now for the skirt, in my opinion the idea of a pregnancy skirt starts with an elastic base to which you add pleats, gathers, or anything that works technically. I have changed my Go To rectangular skirt pattern (find tutorial here), to add a curved edge at the waist in order to avoid too much volume at the waist; If many of you are interested I will do my best to make the pattern available for you here.
Regarding the fabric, I found this striped Yves Saint Laurent poplin. The quality is great, and is suitable for this type of airy attire. What do you think? Very soon, as you can see, I will need to tuck the blouse in the skirt to avoid my tummy from popping out.
I also made this attire in a Prussian blue. I will be coming to you with that one as well.
Let’s catch up soon đ
xx
Elaine
Jacket: Thrifted at EmmaĂŒs
Bag: Stéphane Verdino
Shoes: Michel Vivien



