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How to Add a Tummy Control Panel – DIY

Pencil skirts are always something I tend to stay away from, this curvy gal knows what looks good…and what doesn’t on her body. Lol. So when Delia of Delia Creates asked me to be a part of her Pencil Skirt Tour, I decided to take the challenge to heart, and really make something that I knew would look GOOD on me.  Which meant figuring out how to add a tummy control panel.

How to Add a Tummy Control Panel – Sewing DIY

How to add a Tummy Control Panel into a Pencil Skirt - sewing DIY

I have always thought of pencil skirts as something that looks good on two different body types:

  1. Thin young hot mommas
  2. Curvy gals without a belly (aka – Kim Kardashian – lol)

Not a Momma with 3 young kids that has a belly to prove it. So after doing a bunch of research on tummy control panels, and coming up empty handed for the tutorial. I decided to take matters into my own hands.  Let’s make these pencil skirts look good on the rest of us, shall we?

How to add a Tummy Control Panel - Pencil Skirt DIY

Materials:

  • Pencil Skirt Pattern – I used Delia’s fabulous new Pleated Pencil Skirt found HERE. 
  • Materials listed in your pencil skirt pattern, omitting the Lining
  • 1 yd. Power Mesh

*Please note – this tutorial will be omitting the lining. You can certainly make the skirt with the lining for a cleaner inside finish. This tutorial will show you how to attach the power mesh, with the power mesh showing.

Instructions:

Step 1: Cut out all exterior pattern pieces as instructed in the Pencil Skirt Pattern. Sew the kick pleat or vent as instructed, and the darts.  Once you have cut out the pattern pieces for your skirt, we will now alter the pattern slightly to cut out the Tummy Control Panels from the Power Mesh.

IMG_8653

Step 2: If using Delia’s Pencil Skirt Pattern, cut off the Kick Pleat at the Kick Pleat line. Furthermore, cut off anywhere from 5 – 8″ from the bottom hem.  You want the tummy control to fall underneath your hips, so that it will not ride up when walking.

IMG_8654

Step 3: Cut off 1 size from the outer side seam. You do not want to go too far down in sizes in the power mesh, otherwise it will pull funny. One size is sufficient.

IMG_8655

Step 4: Cut (1) front and (1) Back Tummy Control panel piece with your new pattern. Make sure to use pattern weights when cutting, as the power mesh tends to be slippery. (Like my weights? Lol – yeah, I have been meaning to rectify that).

IMG_8656

Step 5: Sew the darts on both the front and back panels, sewing very carefully and using a lot of pins so that the slippery power mesh doesn’t shift when sewing.

Place power mesh front and back right sides together, and sew ONE side seam. Make sure it is the same side seam that you sewed on your front and back pencil skirt pattern as following the Delia Create’s Pencil Skirt Pattern.

IMG_8657

Step 6: Lay your power mesh inside of your skirt, wrong sides together, matching up the upper raw edges. Your power mesh will be a little bit shorter than your skirt at the sides.

IMG_8659

Step 7: Pull the power mesh so that the side seams are lined up, and baste stitch the outer side seams together to hold in place. Baste stitch the waist together as well, stretching the power mesh as you sew, making sure to line up the side seams.

IMG_8660

Step 8: Sew your waistband together at one side seam, as instructed in the pencil skirt pattern. Repeat for both the lining waistband and the exterior. Place your lining and exterior waistband right sides together, pin and sew the top edge.

IMG_8661

Step 9: Fold the waist band wrong sides together, and press upper seam. Finish the side edges and the lining bottom edge.

IMG_8662

Step 10: Place the exterior waistband along the top edge of the exterior skirt, right sides together. Pin and sew. Press seam up.

IMG_8663

Step 11: Take your zipper, and match up the top edge (where the plastic stopper is) with the top seam of the waistband. Place the zipper right sides together with one side seam of your skirt, so that the zipper teeth are on top of the skirt. See photo above.

IMG_8664

(Close up of the top of the zipper and the waistband of the skirt.)

Step 12: Pin the zipper to the skirt, and sew using a zipper foot.

IMG_8665

Step 13: Fold the other half of the skirt over, and sew the other side of the zipper right sides together with the other side of the skirt.

For further clarification on sewing the zipper, please refer to the Delia Creates Pencil Skirt Instructions. Please note, we are using the power mesh with it attached to the Exterior Skirt, not as a separate lining with the zipper in between.

IMG_8668

Step 14: Sew up the bottom side of the skirt up to the bottom of the zipper.

IMG_8670

Step 15: Fold down the waistband lining towards the inside, folding in the side seams enclosing the upper edge of the zipper. Pin and sew. Whipstitch the bottom edge of the waistband lining all around to secure.

IMG_8689

Hem the bottom exterior of your skirt as instructed, and you are finished!

You now have a rockin pencil skirt, that you will look and feel awesome in!  Rock on Momma, we all know you love your baby belly – its what gives you your awesome warrior status. But sometimes, you just want to feel like the svelte lioness that you are.

How to add a Tummy Control Panel - Pencil Skirt DIY

How to add a Tummy Control Panel - Pencil Skirt DIY

Thank you so much to Delia for letting me play with your awesome new Pencil Skirt Pattern! It fits like a dream, and I cannot wait to sew up many more of them. Especially after seeing my husband’s eyes when I asked him to take these photos of me. Its always good to have the perfect date night outfit after all :).

Be sure to check out the Pencil Skirt Pattern in all its glory HERE. 

Thanks so much for stopping by, and until next time…

Happy Sewing!

how to sew a tummy control panel

IMG_8696

How to add a Tummy Control Panel - Pencil Skirt DIY

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diy// technique// women52 Comments

About Jess

When I was a young girl, my nickname was Jessica Rabbit. Fast forward 20 years, and I am married to the love of my life who, as fate would have it, has the last name Abbott. That's me! Jessica R. Abbott - aka, Jess Rabbit. Simply living a happy, yet crazy, love-filled life in Virginia Beach with 3 kids and 1 puppy in tow. Read More…

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Comments

  1. Lindsay says

    August 6, 2014 at 8:56 am

    This is so awesome! I didn’t think I could pull off a pencil skirt with my 6-kid, 4-c-section belly, but I have some hope now! 🙂 Where do you get this Power Mesh stuff?

    Reply
    • Jess says

      August 6, 2014 at 9:46 am

      You can purchase it at your local fabric store! Just ask for power mesh :). They have it hidden because its not a popular item. Otherwise you can find it on-line!!!

      Reply
  2. Nique Etienne says

    August 6, 2014 at 9:33 am

    Beautiful. Awesome fit and fabric choice

    Reply
    • Jess says

      August 6, 2014 at 7:13 pm

      Thanks so much Nique!

      Reply
  3. Alida says

    August 6, 2014 at 9:49 am

    OMG BUILT IN SPANX!!!! You are a genius.

    Reply
    • Jess Abbott says

      August 6, 2014 at 10:05 am

      Lol – because those not built in kinds can get sweaty 🙂

      Reply
    • Kat says

      August 19, 2014 at 9:52 am

      Indeed! I could definitely use info like this! SO USEFUL! And you look INCREDIBLE lady! I never tire of what you are doing and your website is better than ever! xo

      Reply
  4. Tone says

    August 6, 2014 at 9:56 am

    THANK YOU!!!
    That is THE most usefull DIY I have read in a very long time!
    I have had my head wrapped aroud these pencil skirts all summer, but was fearing what my tummy would look in one. I have a relativelie normal “slimish” kind of figure, but my tummy is several sizes bigger (It feals, at least). But now there is actually hope! Would this work in a knit pencil skirt allso?
    And were do I buy power mesh?
    Looking forward to following youre blog:D Stop by mine sometime and say hi! 😀

    PS: You look SMASHING in that skirt!

    Reply
    • Jess says

      August 6, 2014 at 7:15 pm

      Thanks so much Tone! I am not sure about the knit, I think it works best in woven. But you can certainly try! Especially when you consider that a lot of bathing suits now have power mesh in their lycra knit fabrics. You should go for it! Power mesh can be purchased at your local fabric store typically, otherwise you can definitely find it for sale on-line if you search ‘power mesh fabric’. Good luck!

      Reply
      • Gretchen says

        August 13, 2016 at 7:10 pm

        You could use it with a medium to heavy knit jersey material. I have a fitted dress like this & I am told that it is the most flattering dress I own. I have been looking for a skirt & here it is. You are a genius, I had no idea how to come up with a pattern. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!

        Reply
  5. Julie R. says

    August 6, 2014 at 10:36 am

    You look great in pencil skirts! I love this so much as I too am a mom of 3 with a belly to prove it.

    Reply
    • Jess says

      August 6, 2014 at 7:15 pm

      Thanks so much Julie!!!

      Reply
  6. Abby says

    August 6, 2014 at 10:57 am

    Jess, you are one hot momma! Love love love this skirt!

    Reply
    • Jess says

      August 6, 2014 at 7:15 pm

      Lol – thank you so much Abby :). As are you my friend!

      Reply
  7. Joen says

    August 6, 2014 at 11:08 am

    Wow thanks for this great sewing tip! pre-menopause has really done a number on my waist and hip area so this certainly is something I am going to give a try.

    Reply
    • Jess says

      August 6, 2014 at 7:16 pm

      I hope you do, would love to see it!

      Reply
  8. Ashley says

    August 6, 2014 at 11:59 am

    Beautiful! You seriously blow me away with all your work. Simply amazing!! 🙂

    Reply
    • Jess says

      August 6, 2014 at 7:16 pm

      Aww – thank you so much Ashley! I am blushing – lol. Seriously, I am.

      Reply
  9. Sorahart says

    August 6, 2014 at 12:00 pm

    My nickname for this skirt is “The Skirt that Actually Makes Me Want to Tuck in My Shirt”. I’m a curvy gal too and never thought a pencil skirt would be flattering on me until this one. I think the fit *as is* is great…but with built-in shape wear? Even better!

    Reply
    • Jess says

      August 6, 2014 at 7:17 pm

      hahahahahahhahaa – oh my goodness, you KNOW me!! I was trying to figure out how to style this skirt – and I was like….seriously? I am going to tuck a shirt IN?!!! I have grown so accustomed to wearing loose fitting dolman style tops! It was a nice change of pace 🙂

      Reply
  10. Sharlyn says

    August 6, 2014 at 4:38 pm

    yessssssssssssss! A pencil skirt for the rest of us! Thanks for the great tute and tips!

    Reply
    • Jess says

      August 6, 2014 at 7:17 pm

      Thanks so much Sharlyn!!!

      Reply
  11. Mie @ Sewing Like Mad says

    August 6, 2014 at 5:02 pm

    Wooow, how clever is this!!!! And you look gorgeous!!

    Reply
    • Jess says

      August 6, 2014 at 7:17 pm

      Thanks so much Mie!! I am still drooling over your version 🙂

      Reply
  12. Anne Weaver says

    August 6, 2014 at 8:39 pm

    This is so awesome! THANK YOU!! I’ve got a Craft Gossip post scheduled for tomorrow that links to your tutorial:
    http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-diy-tummy-control-panel/2014/08/07/
    -Anne

    Reply
    • Jess says

      August 7, 2014 at 9:57 am

      Thank you so much Anne!!! I think I might need to make my own stand alone spanx now. HA

      Reply
  13. Elisabetta says

    August 7, 2014 at 1:45 am

    Can I say it?
    I LOVE YOU!!!!
    This tutorial is like icing on the cake for me, this past winter my belly had an incredible blow up! Maybe it’s my changing ormons?
    Well you look so gorgeous in your skirt and definitely you have to make more! I am an Italian woman, so I guess you can easily understand how curvy I am ^_^ and I have to figure out what is the name for this material here in stores.
    You made an amazing outfit!

    Reply
    • Jess says

      August 7, 2014 at 9:58 am

      Thank you so much Elisabetta!!! I am so excited that this will work for you! Gotta love those gorgeous Italian curves 🙂

      Reply
  14. Annika says

    August 7, 2014 at 4:52 am

    Wow, what an amazing idea. Definitely something all we mommas out there have some use for! Thanks!

    Reply
    • Jess says

      August 7, 2014 at 9:58 am

      Thanks so much Annika!

      Reply
  15. June says

    August 7, 2014 at 5:10 pm

    Wow, so between this tutorial and the recent one on the “full tummy adjustment” (http://byhandlondon.com/blogs/by-hand-london/14227713-sewing-indie-month-a-tutorial-from-maria-denmark), I think I might actually sport a pencil skirt. (I had full-size twins [14 lbs total weight] 4 years ago and that did some irreversible damage to my abdomen.)

    Oh, the possibilities! Many thanks!

    Reply
  16. abby @ thingsforboys says

    August 7, 2014 at 10:39 pm

    genius!!

    Reply
  17. Liz says

    August 8, 2014 at 12:20 am

    Wow, you are a genius! Seriously!

    I have a question though, what exactly is power mesh? Is it like swimwear fabric but stronger? Like I’m having trouble picturing it, because I’m assuming you’re from America, and our fabric stores in Australia sometimes call things different things.

    Ah! I want one! Yours is so enviable =]

    Reply
  18. Trine says

    August 8, 2014 at 1:08 am

    Yes yes yes!!!! You are brillant, mam!! Now this not so young and hot Momma is going to make herself a new skirt!!

    Thank you so much for the tutorial 🙂

    Reply
  19. Ashlee says

    August 8, 2014 at 11:35 am

    Amazing timing; I just wore a pencil skirt yesterday and had to whip out some Spanx (yuck), this will solve my problem! Thanks for the tutorial 🙂

    Reply
  20. Carla says

    August 8, 2014 at 2:55 pm

    Wow! You look FABULOUS! I love the skirt! I just might give this a try. I still skeptical, lol, but that’s 30 yrs worth of trying to figure out how to hide the mommy belly *plus* the sad mess that comes with the yoyo dieting to try to eliminate the 3-baby belly for 30 yrs., lol.

    Reply
  21. Laurel says

    August 15, 2014 at 11:47 am

    You are my new best friend! I saw Delia’s pattern and loved it, but never thought I could pull it off being just 4 months postpartum after my 5th. Before my babies I was skinny as a rail and everything looked awesome on me. Lately I have been feeling like fashion is only for those girls, this seriously gives me hope! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

    Reply
  22. Grace says

    August 23, 2014 at 10:17 pm

    Jess!!
    I love all your patterns and I honestly think you are so pretty!! I’ve never commented before, but I always frequent your site and love what you make, and tried quite a few patterns. I wish we lived closer and were friends! 🙂 (and I mean that in the best possible friendly way, and not a stalker sort of way.) 🙂
    love from Oregon!!

    <3<3<3

    Reply
  23. CGCouture says

    August 25, 2014 at 4:53 pm

    I found this tutorial (and blog!) via Pinterest, and I can’t thank you enough for posting it! I did have one question though…wouldn’t the tummy panel going to break an invisible zip?

    Reply
  24. Rae @ So Rae Me says

    August 25, 2014 at 7:28 pm

    Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!! I’ve taken to wearing my blouses over my pencil skirts with a narrow belt. Now, I can wear my skirts in their full glory.

    Reply
  25. Laura Altes says

    August 29, 2014 at 3:11 pm

    One question: Is the power mesh sewn into both the skirt side seams or just free floating one one side?

    Reply
  26. Jasmine says

    January 20, 2015 at 3:20 pm

    This tutorial’s amazing! Any chance you’ll be doing one for pants I’d love to do some cigarette pants.

    Reply
  27. Elizabeth says

    March 6, 2015 at 5:26 pm

    Oh my! Where can I get the fabric you used for your skirt. I am obsessed!

    Reply
  28. Renee says

    June 28, 2015 at 8:14 am

    Fabulous, really great tute too, thanks!

    Reply
  29. Mill End Store says

    October 13, 2015 at 3:52 pm

    We sell Power Mesh in 10 different colors! http://www.millendstore.com

    Reply
  30. Eva says

    December 21, 2015 at 4:18 pm

    Thank you SO much for this tutorial! I’m under weight but have always had a belly that’s been poking out, making people ask me if I was pregnant many years before I actually was. Three kids (one + twins) down the line my belly is really making me feel uncomfortable. I now feel hope that I can actually sew skirts and dresses that I’d like to wear 🙂

    Reply
  31. Ruqayyah says

    December 22, 2015 at 12:26 pm

    You are ABSOLUTELY brilliant! This is going to be a must going forward! Thank you so much for the idea!

    Reply
  32. Nicky says

    January 24, 2016 at 12:36 am

    Thanks so much for this! One question: if the skirt is cut on the bias, should the power mesh be cut on the bias as well? Or will that give it too much stretch so it won’t hold you in as well?

    Reply
  33. Jo - Dotta says

    April 18, 2016 at 3:42 am

    That’s pure genius! I am thin but with a small mommy belly, and I always thought that pencil skirts were not for me, even if I love them. You give me hope! 😉

    Reply
  34. Frida says

    August 25, 2016 at 7:54 pm

    Beautiful, looks great on you, and I love the fabric!

    Reply
  35. Nelly says

    February 24, 2018 at 6:28 pm

    I really like that skirt, the high waist which is flattering, the print you picked is perfect. Thank you for sharing the “tummy tamer” process.

    Do you have any suggestions about adding the mesh to an existing garment? I have a few things that could use the mesh!

    Thank you

    Reply
  36. Burtine says

    April 21, 2018 at 12:04 pm

    Thank you – this is a wonderful tutorial. I am long waisted so like to eliminate the waist band in favour of none. I have not sewn in years but because of the dearth of clothes suitable to my age and figure it seems to be my only option,

    Reply

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Hello, it’s me.

When I was a young girl, my nickname was Jessica Rabbit. Fast forward 20 years, and I am married to the love of my life who, as fate would have it, has the last name Abbott. That's me! Jessica R Abbott - aka, Jess Rabbit. Read More…

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