thriftstore refashion :: maternity edition
April 06, 2009
This is not going to apply to many of you. Unless you are pregnant. And are tired of maternity store prices. And you have no fear of cutting into clothes.
Here is one of the two skirts I picked up thrifting last week for $1.50 each:
I pulled it on with the zipper open and eyeballed how far down I'd need to cut into it. And then I took scissors and cut straight down. Then I zipped it up and stared at the belly protruding from what used to be the waistline of this skirt.
After gathering my wits, I took an air-erasable pen and traced the bottom part of my belly out from either side of the slit. Then I took it off again and cut along those lines.
I had an old very-stretchy tank top that I cut up to use as the insert. Turned it upside-down and used the bottom of the tank as new waistband. I zig-zagged the raw edges on the inside of the skirt and reinforced the seam a couple times. (Because I do have 11 weeks to go, after all. This baby ain't done growing.)
And hey! It worked. It totally worked.
See? I totally have to go back and find some more skirts now.
(Hands-on time, about 15 minutes. The second skirt was even faster. It does help have a fairly fitted waistine, so the stretch works for you to hold the whole thing up.)
that is awesome. i will remember this for my next babe. it looks great on you!
Posted by: katie | April 06, 2009 at 09:11 PM
You are looking very fabulous. That is such a clever idea.
Posted by: Sarah Jackson | April 06, 2009 at 09:46 PM
Aren't you smart?! You amaze me with your sewing skills. And you are looking great!
Posted by: Mary | April 06, 2009 at 09:49 PM
ingenius, and thriftily so! i will borrow your idea for the next time, if it's okay with you. the skirt looks super cute, btw.
Posted by: Angela | April 06, 2009 at 10:09 PM
Looks fabulous. Course the model's pretty cute too. I think you could look darling wearing a paper bag.
Posted by: stacy | April 06, 2009 at 10:14 PM
I am so excited to see your maternity clothes refashion! Do you have any more great ideas?
Posted by: Amy | April 06, 2009 at 10:20 PM
it's fabulous! what a genius idea!
Posted by: amandajean | April 06, 2009 at 10:30 PM
Genius!!! wish i did this when i was prego. can't beat being fashionable and economical at the same time... LOVE IT!
Posted by: mai | April 06, 2009 at 11:26 PM
WOW! That turned out great!
You look fabulous, btw! Love the belly shot! :)
Posted by: Staci | April 07, 2009 at 12:25 AM
Okay, first off you're probably the cutest pregnant lady, ever.
And WOW! I love this idea. I'm not pregnant, but maybe it almost makes me want to be so I can make this? Haha. Not entirely. But what a brilliant idea! I'm going to look at maternity clothes in a whole new light next time around. Thanks for the great idea! And beautiful pictures.
Posted by: dana | April 07, 2009 at 02:28 AM
Gorgeous. And clever. And only 11 weeks to go? Where did that time disappear?
Posted by: Ali | April 07, 2009 at 03:02 AM
This looks great! I will have to remember this for next time around!
Posted by: Bek | April 07, 2009 at 04:40 AM
You are just the most adorable pregnant lady! So smart too! :)
Posted by: Carrie | April 07, 2009 at 05:34 AM
Very pretty, Chris. I've bought "the panel" at the store and added it to clothes before. And aren't you a cutie???
Posted by: lera | April 07, 2009 at 07:36 AM
So pretty. I love the vintage feel of the skirt.
And it looks perfect on you.
Adele
Posted by: modernemotive | April 07, 2009 at 07:38 AM
I am so totally jealous and in awe of your talents!! I am due in June and I am soooooo over maternity clothes!! Loving your new skirt!!
Posted by: Gina | April 07, 2009 at 07:43 AM
Perfect! It looks great on you - I'm sure it will become a spring wardrobe staple!
Posted by: stephanie | April 07, 2009 at 08:04 AM
What?! This is fantastic! I'm always impressed with you, Miss Chris.
Posted by: Erin | April 07, 2009 at 09:47 AM
Woo hoo!
And thanks for the belly shot. I needed that.:)
Posted by: laeroport | April 07, 2009 at 10:38 AM
I love how these little light bulb moments happen AND they work! You are too clever Missy, and its soooo adorable, love it!
Posted by: Cindy | April 07, 2009 at 10:48 AM
Cute! I am more than likely done growing wee ones in by belly...but I like this idea. You are very much in that cute stage of pregnancy. Congrats!
Posted by: dani@littlefists | April 07, 2009 at 11:04 AM
Genus - plus you look great. I can't wait to meet the new little one.
Posted by: Liz | April 07, 2009 at 11:06 AM
Georgeous print and good engineering around that belly!
Posted by: Nancey | April 07, 2009 at 11:46 AM
you my dear are a genius. you should consider selling those in an etsy store once things calm down. oh and how cute is your baby belly. VERY!! xoxo
Posted by: jenb | April 07, 2009 at 12:38 PM
How great is that! I love it! I just wish I could have see you trying that baby on in the store. Were the ladies at the store enjoying the show!? I am still dreaming about a thrifting trip. We have got to set a date. Have a great day! Liz
Posted by: Elizabeth | April 07, 2009 at 12:38 PM
awesome :)
Posted by: beki | April 07, 2009 at 12:49 PM
great skirt...you look fantastic!
Posted by: Stephanie | April 07, 2009 at 01:22 PM
Very cool! I just wish I had the energy for something other than "just getting through the day"....hopefully in a couple more weeks!
It's probably too much to ask to have a little bit of your talent too! ;)
Posted by: Katie | April 07, 2009 at 01:41 PM
Oh that is just fantastic! I lived in skirts last summer. My favorite was to go to Joann's and get some of the shirred fabric and make skirts with the shirring as the waistline. I love it!
Posted by: Kim | April 07, 2009 at 02:27 PM
Aha, perfect! Thank you for posting this, I am definitely going to try it. I hadn't thought about stretchy tshirts being solid enough to hold up a skirt, but I can see how it would work.
Posted by: Jesse K. | April 07, 2009 at 02:38 PM
That's great! Wish I would've thought of that...I'm all done now. :) You look fantastic by the way!
Posted by: Kelly | April 07, 2009 at 03:08 PM
That is adorable. What a great idea.
Posted by: Jeannine McCloskey | April 07, 2009 at 04:18 PM
The skirt is awesome! Makes me wish I had started sewing at least before my last pregnancy, but I'm afraid I may have passed the chance of sewing pregnancy clothes for myself. It looks gorgeous!
Posted by: Astrid | April 07, 2009 at 04:52 PM
Way cool. It looks so cute on you, too!
Posted by: nikko | April 07, 2009 at 09:03 PM
I wish I had one! The skirt, not the belly..hee.hee. I'm happy with my 3. That skirt is beautiful print. Love it!
Posted by: Gina | April 07, 2009 at 11:09 PM
You look so great and how cute is that skirt that you made!
Posted by: mary smith | April 08, 2009 at 12:16 AM
That's genius - it looks fabulous!
Posted by: seona | April 08, 2009 at 04:54 AM
so so clever!! and great find on the skirt, you really have to have a good eye in those thrift shops.
Posted by: Amber Eilert | April 08, 2009 at 10:02 AM
I love this so much and have been thinking about making some maternity skirts. Who want's to pay full price at a maternity store and the selection is so limited. Love your blog!
Posted by: Renee | April 08, 2009 at 07:06 PM
cute cute cute! and easy too!
Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Alicia | April 10, 2009 at 08:25 AM
cute cute cute and super easy and inexpensive too! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Alicia | April 10, 2009 at 08:26 AM
fabulous work!
Posted by: amy | April 10, 2009 at 07:59 PM
that is totally fabulous!
Posted by: auntie | April 17, 2009 at 11:15 PM
Fabulous!!! I will definitely do this for my next pregnancy - maternity clothes are ridiculously overpriced (event he inexpensive ones) and I find they just don't even fit. this looks so lovely :)
Posted by: Katie Crocker | May 04, 2009 at 10:49 AM
love this chris! i have to do this!!!
Posted by: Jade | May 06, 2009 at 03:55 PM
I have had this tutorial on my mind for a few months now.
Today I went to the thrift store with this in mind. I bought a skirt to cut into (the skirts there are $3-$5 in general).
I have some old t-shirts of my husbands that are going to get cut up tonight (well, one of them, anyhow) and I'll have a new skirt to wear tomorrow!
Posted by: The Prudent Homemaker | July 23, 2009 at 07:12 PM
i just bought a thrifted skirt hoping to do this and stumbled upon your tutorial. Thanks! yours is adorable.
Posted by: seriq | September 23, 2009 at 06:07 PM
Needed a skirt and didn't want to pay the outrageous maternity prices. Found your post, found an old skirt and shirt (the one I actually bought to wear with the skirt-neither of which fit after my last pregnancy) and in 20 min. (I'm a newbie sewer) I had a perfect skirt. I'm 26 weeks now and this will def. last me the rest of this pregnancy. THANK YOU!! Now I can't wait to go find some more skirts!
Posted by: Catherine | February 27, 2010 at 04:49 PM