Patterns to Sew Your Own Maternity Clothes

If you’re handy with a sewing machine, there are plenty of patterns to choose from, for comfortable and easy-to-customise maternity clothing. Choose nice organic cotton fabric and the clothes will be as comfortable, as they are beautiful. Launder with unscented biodegradable laundry liquid.

The Lullaby Trust has safety information on baby clothing (and bedding). Mostly to not over-heat (babies control temperature through their head and face).

Remove hats, socks and gardens when moving to warmer temperatures (including cars – don’t let babies sleep in car seats outside travel, due to the upright position not being as safe as back-sleeping).

Sewing your own clothes also lets you adjust fit, and add handy features, like extra length or pockets. As long as you know how to sew, it also works out much cheaper than buying clothes. Check out this pattern for a white linen maternity gown.

How about these two patterns for stunning evening maternity dresses? Available as instant PDF downloads. Here’s the light blue evening dress pattern.

This Hinterland dress sewing pattern is easily modified for maternity and nursing wear. It features three sleeve options, partial or full button-down plackets and inseam pockets, with a loose fit and side bust tarts, with option to remove buttons.

Second-Hand and Swapping Schemes

Although it’s not good to buy second-hand baby mattresses etc (due to mould risks),  second-hand maternity clothing of quality is a good buy, so search for locally-owned charity shops for bargains, or online.

Another idea is ‘swishing’, which is when local friends and neighbours meet up to swap clothes they never wear, rather than throw them away. If you belong to an anti-natal class, perhaps you could get together to do the same, but for maternity wear (some may have previous clothing, from births before).

This enables everyone to find clothes they love, that cost nothing. Other than a few non-alcohol drinks and a few nibbles to snack on!