DIY maternity shirt
Wearing: Cue suit jacket (remnant from my days as a working woman!), Mimco headband, Self made maternity shirt, Gap maternity jeans (still need to hem these but I’ve been lazy), Relativity lace up booties
Well we’ve been having a fabulous time with my in-laws, and are actually traveling with them again this weekend to Chicago. I’m really looking forward to it, because I’m really needing a big city fix.
I’ve always lived in big cities, and though I absolutely LOVE the town we live in and the quieter lifestyle we have, sometimes I really hanker for some cities things. The rush of changing lanes on a busy 5 lane freeway, being able to walk everywhere, hearing the constant buzz of people on cell phones, eating at restaurants that aren’t a franchise, the culture, having to weave your way through pedestrians. But mostly I miss the fashion. I love sitting in a cafe on the sidewalk, sipping my coffee and watching the people walk by. Honestly it’s been a long time since I saw another woman walk by and I thought to myself “Oh my gosh I LOVE her outfit”… and I feel like that’s something that happened all the time in the city.
Anyway, there’s more to this post than my crazy crush/love for city life. I wanted to share my latest maternity project with all of you. True to my sappy/nostalgic/hoarding nature, this top started off as a men’s dress shirt, in fact it’s the shirt my husband wore on our very first date. I couldn’t bear to part with it. But I’ve been feeling a little lazy and tired so I wanted to make my life easy. Basically I put on the shirt, found the empire waist and marked it with some pins. Then I measured under my bust (empire waistline) and removed an inch from the measurement. I cut a piece of elastic that length, and attached it to the inside of the shirt at the empire waistline by stretching as I sewed and using a zig zag stitch on my machine. As a result it looks like a slightly blousy, gathered empire waist. Rolled up the sleeves and I was good to go!!
Though I do admit after a while I got a little tired of the bulk of the cuff, so I removed the cuff and reattached it at the point I had been rolling the sleeves to. I really think this top turned out amazingly, and has a really relaxed chic look to it.
To all you preggers mommys out there, I honestly think you should try this refashion. It took no time at all, and is for sure a beginner level sewing project.
Have a wonderful weekend fabulous friends!!
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Very nice. You look cute pregnant.
Come and visit when you get a chance.
Trudy
http://www.sewingwithtrudy.blogspot.com
Wow that is so lovely what you have done with the shirt, it really suits you and you look like what my brother would call a “yummy mummy”, I always liked to look nice when I was pregnant too.
The dress in the post below is also so lovely, very classy.
Hey I like it alot! Will it only work with a men’s shirt (ie being much bigger?) or do you reckon a ladies top will work, like one in my closet already?
I definitely like the “dressed up” feeling of a collared shirt and will try this one out! Thanks Meg xo
I love that this was the shirt your husband wore on your first date. It looks great!
Meg: What a capital idea. I love this. Thanks!
What a clever idea, and so cute that it is your husband’s first date shirt!
[...] Megan from megannielson.com shows off her new maternity shirt that she made from a button down dress shirt, and gives a quick run-through of how she made it. This is a super simple sewing project, with the only sewing being the addition of the empire waist with a bit of elastic. See more photos and read how to make one for yourself. [...]
Awesome shirt!! I posted a link on Craft Gossip Sewing:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-dress-shirt-maternity-refashion/2009/10/10/
–Anne
I am totally going to go home today and find an old shirt of my hubby’s to do this too! I have been bad about posting on Wardrobe Refashion lately – and I’m running out of clothes!!
oh my god this is SO cute. i love it! it looks fabulous on you :)
Thanks ladies! Jessie – I know what you mean, I’ve suddenly realised I only own summer maternity clothing, therefore my maternity wardrobe is currently useless, yikes!
Jac – It would work with a ladies top too, if you have one that’s big enough. I chose a men’s shirt because I wanted there to be enough room in the tummy area (and all of my regular blouses are too fitted in the tum tum!).
fantastic idea on this! way to go
Cute! Is it 1/4″ elastic? Does the elastic get uncomfortable against your skin?
you look oooh so adorable here!!!
wow what a cute and easy idea for maternity tops. I wish I would have known this when I was pregnant the last oh 4x’s lol oh well. You look cute in it! I just found your blog and am enjoying reading all the old posts.
Nice meeting you Jenn! I’ve had to great creative with maternity wear, since I”m not a fan of most brands (plus lets me honest who can really afford to buy an entire wardrobe completely from maternity stores!). xoxo
Hi rachel, I used 1/2″ elastic because I find it’s a little sturdier, and no I haven’t found it uncomfortable against my skin, but honestly I didn’t make it tight enough to create any kind of pressure! just enough to cinch it in :)
This is so great. I wish I’d seen this when I was pregs. I’m totally sending it to every pregnant girl I know. Awesome.
This is so adorable!
[...] Refashioned from one of Hubby’s shirts (details here) Jeans: JCPenney Boots: Steve Madden via Von Maur GLoves: Vintage from my MIL Yak [...]