DIY Maternity Clothes!

July 17, 2011

One thing I’m really lacking is pictures of myself pregnant. I figured since I’m already 30 weeks along, I should spend a little more time in front of the camera!!

I thought now would be a good time to share how I’ve saved myself tons of money this pregnancy by making my own maternity clothes while also showing off my belly. I have no hips and absolutely no rear end, so maternity pants are always huge and baggy and falling off me. And most maternity shirts are awkwardly shaped and by the time I get them long enough to cover my belly, they’re huge everywhere else!

So in one afternoon, back in April, I converted these regular clothes into maternity clothes. I just can’t bring myself to pay $18 for a shirt at Target, or $25 for one at Motherhood! I only get 4 or 5 months wear out of them and since this is our last baby, I really couldn’t bring myself to spend the money. I picked this tank up at Old Navy for $5 and with a little elastic and 10 minutes of my time, I made it a rouched maternity shirt!

The pants were a little more difficult, but definitely worth the time! They fit me like a dream and are so comfortable. And most importantly, they’re not saggy in the butt!

To make my awesome capris, I took a pair of regular capris I haven’t been able to button since having Sofie. My hips changed shape enough to keep them from fitting me properly. In order to convert pants like this, you don’t have to button them, but you MUST be able to zip them up all the way.

**This would be a really great item to pick up at a thrift store! Getting a pair one size bigger than you normally wear would probably be the best idea because it will guarantee you a little room to grow!

The first thing I did is get out my seam ripper and start taking off the waistband. This will look different depending on the actual pants you’re working with.

I picked it out from the inside first, then from the outside, taking care to make sure I didn’t pick out any of the stitches that attached the pockets to the pants.

Once I got the waistband off, I took the belt loops off, too.

Then I took out the zipper because I didn’t need it.

It was tough to figure out how to get it out, but with a lot of examining I figured it out. I ended up having to cut it off to get it free.

I saved the zipper part! You never know when you’ll need a tiny zipper, right?!

Stripped down to the bare bones!

Then I pinned the zipper hole closed,

and sewed a little seam along the edge. The fly is just ornamental on maternity pants.

And now I’m ready for the waistband!

I used elastic I picked up in NYC for these pants. It’s 3″ wide and not very stretchy, but ended up being perfect. I used the circumference of the pants, plus 1″.

I sewed it together with a 1/2″ seam allowance (the extra 1″ I cut), then sewed the ends down to secure them.

Since my elastic was the exact size as my pants, it was really easy to sew it on. This is why it might be beneficial to get pants 1 size bigger than you normally wear.

And they were done!

The tank was MUCH easier to do. I started with my regular shirt.

I cut a piece of 1/4″ elastic 6.5″ shorter than the length of the side seam. I measured 4″ from the armpit and pinned it in place.

Then measured 2.5″ from the bottom and pinned it in place.

I figured out really quickly that regular pins wouldn’t hold the elastic, so I secured it with safety pins.

I started at the top and got a few stitches in to secure it in place,

then stretched the elastic all the way out.

Working in sections just a few inches long, I’d sew, then stretch. Sew, then stretch, making sure to keep the elastic equally stretched along the length of the shirt.

When I got to the bottom, I kept it held firmly in place with my finger to ensure the elastic was the same length on each side.

When you’re done, it’ll be all scrunched up on itself, ready to wear!

And that’s it! Maternity shirts made by you for a fraction of the retail price! I did this with several Boyfriend Tees I got at Target for $6 each and I can’t get myself out of them!

I’ve loved having clothes that fit me well to wear all summer. I’m surprised how quickly this pregnancy has flown by and I’m sad it will be over soon. But despite how I feel about my clothes or the gestation period of babies, we can’t wait to meet you soon, little girl!

Posted in Sewing