Project Bump Basics: Megan Nielsen Ruched Maternity Skirt

When I started contemplating sewing a maternity wardrobe and looking at some of the patterns and styles available, it seemed like slim pickings. The big four (plus Burda and KwikSew) offer a small number of basic styles, and most indy pattern companies don't have maternity patterns. There is nothing wrong with this per se - maternity is a small niche. But it sure is a time when you need new clothing asap and it seems like even the basics on offer missed the memo that the modern, urban, stylish mom-to-be prefers to wear something more like this:

Isabella Oliver - these viscose/elastane dresses cost $199 and $155

This basic silhouette can be dressed up with statement accessories, paired with a jacket for work or worn with sandals for more casual wear. Thankfully, indie pattern maker Megan Nielsen has sort of filled this niche with her ruched maternity skirt and wrap top. And Simplicity has actually licensed the wrap top and another pattern, which is available on their website.

So, as my very first maternity specific sew, I decided to try the ruched skirt.

I think it looks great and it's been getting very regular wear. However, it really is the padded push up bra equivalent of maternity wear. Even though there's been some growth in the last week (yippee!!), it hasn't been huge. But this skirt accentuates every curve. So, perfect for showing off new and burgeoning curves.

However, things did not start out well (see here) when I sewed it up according to my pre-pregnancy measurements (which is what you are instructed to do). It was extremely close fitted - more than I was comfortable with across the hip/thigh, and so I let it out as much as possible. I still find it very fitted. Fortunately, I used a very stretchy rayon knit. In fact it's the same fabric from my stash that I used for my latest V1314 dress. So, despite the fact that it looks like it's fitting about as closely as possible, there is still enough stretch remaining that it should be wearable for a few more weeks.

My other quibble is that I don't love where the ruching stops.

It's pretty high on my hip/thigh, basically at crotch level. Obviously part of this is my height - I should have lengthened the ruching and added length to the skirt. However, there is no lengthen/ shorten line, and I guess I wasn't really thinking.  In future versions, I will extend the ruching at least a bit and lengthen that area. By the way, this is the below the knee length on me. It hits right at the top of my knee.

 

 

My last quibble is with side seams - when you fold down the waistband to create a casing for elastic, the side seams don't line up exactly. So you have to finess the waistband at both the seams to make it work.

Little complaints aside, this pattern gets a ton of things right.

First, it's in tune with the modern maternity vibe. It can be dressed up or down, and I love that it is over the belly instead of under, so you don't have to wear a big tent-like top with it, although you could. In these pictures, I'm wearing a non-pregnancy tuxedo-style blouse that I strategically unbuttoned at the bump.

Also, this pattern is easy and quick to sew - 2 pattern pieces and all there is to do is sew the seams, waist and hem and add the elastic. And that is the kind of sewing needed during pregnancy!! Last, it looks great and is very, very versatile.

One of my strategies for sewing a maternity wardrobe is to start with a few basic building blocks that I can play with.  This pattern is a winner and - with a few changes to address the close fit and ruching - has been my jumping off point for a mini collection of franken-dresses and top+skirt outfits. So, stay tuned to see how I've played with it this week.