How to make your own quick and easy top and skirt without a pattern

You don’t need a pattern, just follow the instructions

I used double thickness for both the top and the skirt as I found the fabric too thin…. it turned out really a good weight with double thickness.
Sew as if you were just using one thickness unless you feel your fabric is thick enough then you only need one thickness.
Mine would have been see-thru almost and I didn’t want to wear a camisole or slip underneath.


The biggest stretch should go around you.




Turn down about 1/2 inch on the neckline and stitch. Turn up about 1/2 inch on the hemline and stitch. Turn in on both armholes a little over a 1/4 inch and stitch.
Cut 2 10 inch stripes of fabric about 3/4 of an inch wide. These are the ties for the shoulders. It may be in the same fabric or in a coordinating fabric.
Tip: If you cut your armholes too deep it will not give you enough coverage in the front!! Better to cut a little bit and try it on.

Seam in the back

Don’t forget your ties and enjoy wearing your new top!!  You can also wear this top with one shoulder tied
and the other one off your shoulder or even no ties…. Play around with it and have fun…. make more than one!!!

The skirt

2 meters to be safe. It depends on the length you want the skirt to be.

Measure the front of your waist and add 1/2 inch each side.  Cut in a triangular shape to the length you’d like and
add enough on the bottom to make a hem…about 2" inch more.





You can use a marker of chalk and a ruler to make your lines even. Should have a slightly wider base.

stretch should go across your body!



use a zigzag stitch to sew stretch fabric

Sew sides together with right sides facing each other.


You may want to serge the edges but it is not necessary as the fabric will not unravel


a good seamstress will ALWAYS iron her seams! ;-)

You may want to iron the outside too being careful how hot your iron is depending on your fabric choice.


I have a sway back and a inward pelvic tilt so I have to curve the front waist about and inch or so. Also good to do if you have a slightly protruding stomach also.
If you are unsure what to do here. Try the skirt on at this point
and tie and elastic around the waist of the skirt while you have it on. Check all angles in the mirror and see
where is need to be lower.   It could be the back if you have a flat bottom and a small back.
You may want to taper the sides of the skirt down to fit closer.
It should fit well.
The hem line should be fairly straight as well.

Measure your waist snuggly and add a 1/2 inch  more for the back seam. Cut a 6'” strip of fabric on the stretch
lengthwise and cut to the length of your waist measurement plus 1/2”. This will be for the waistband.

Pin it at the sides of the waist skirt and stretch it to fit the waist and pin the middle of the
front and the middle of the back evenly. Use your chin if you have too!!! lol


serge or zigzag edge if you like

This step is important so that your waistband stays in place!!
Zigzag stitch just under the waistband seam with the fabric from the seam turned down
underneath your stitching.

Turn under the bottom of the skirt to wear you want it hemmed, pink and zigzag in place.


For a quick skirt no need to finish the edge.


You may want to find an old tag or ribbon to sew in the back of the skirt so that
you know what is front and what is back.
And there you have it a quick and easy skirt!!! Have fun and make many!!!

The apple shape and what to wear

An apple shape holds their weight around the middle and those of you who are apple shaped you know that sucks!! and you know that binge eating is a no-no for you as it goes fast right to your middle BUT you can still dress right even though that’s the case. No one is perfect and it’s all about flattering what looks good and hiding those parts we don’t like so much. Even the most perfect person has things about them they don’t like!!!
You also will have your shoulders a bit broader than your hips.



The middle of your body is the biggest part and you probably have great legs. Your clothes should feature your smallest parts, which would be hips and legs,shoulders and under bust . Try to have something fitted under the bust with the bottom of the top flared. If you wear something that is not fitted under the bust you will look like you are wearing a tent.

See!!! lol

Queen Latisha is a gorgeous apple shape, dressed by my favorite designer Bradley Bayou!! As you can see she is fitted under the bust with the rest of the dress flowing down freely with nothing clinging in a lovely coral pink color that complements her skin tones.

It’s probably good for you to wear one of these. It is really important that you have a good fitting support bra. Lift the girls up and it will distinguish between your stomach and bust. You don’t want to look like you have one extra large bust or one extra large stomach, either one is not what you are after. You are after shaping the girls and hiding the belly.

great dress for an apple shaped woman,although if your stomach is very large the bodice should be just under the bust.

This is truly a great dress for you if your arms aren’t too bad and you are tall enough. If you feel you have to hide your arms then wear something in this shape with sleeves. If you are more on the short side and have great legs, Go short!! you can pull it off without looking too leggy!!


The top on the left is a good top to wear if your belly isn’t bigger than your bust
Do not wear anything tight around your middle. Pants, underwear and skirts should be loose around the middle so that it doesn’t give you love handles. Again wear good underwear!! Very important if you are overweight!!

That dress is A1 for someone that is overweight!! look for styles like that in dresses and tops!!! Secret….if the top bodice is in a light color and the bottom in a darker color..all the better!! It will draw the eyes up and slim that belly!!! Yay right!!??

 
these clothes are great for an apple shaped IF your belly is not a lot bigger than your bust….If it is then you need clothes that won’t cling too much, a fabric that is thicker would be best.