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From: pucktricks
Date: 12-23-2004, 11:52 AM (1 of 10)
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For those of you who have sewn maternity clothes, did you ever find any maternity patterns that you liked how they fit? I made my first pattern, and it was a Butterick, and usually I've had fairly good luck with those patterns, but this one was horrid. The fit was not at all similar to the design picture, and I took out four inches in the bodice and just left in the extra cloth on the bottom half of the top. It was incredibly frustrating  !So, I'm wondering if anyone ever had any luck with maternity patterns, I have two more cut out that I have to sew, but I'm feeling absolutely no appeal in trying them out. Ticia |
User: pucktricks
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 570 
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From: smith972
Date: 12-23-2004, 02:02 PM (2 of 10)
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I am very intersted in reading the responses to this thread because i need to make some clothes for my sister... since she is in new york and i am here what measurements do i need from her to get as close to perfect on the fit for her.... i cant travel to new york to mend or take them in so i need as much advice as you ladies can give Jada |
User: smith972
Member since: 09-10-2004 Total posts: 241 
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From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 12-26-2004, 01:02 PM (3 of 10)
My sons are 38 and 44, but understand this, I never throw a pattern away.. I have a maternity pattern for a dress that I wore with both of them, that had 3 different side seams 1/2 inches apart.. you make the one closest to the edge of the fabric with a smaller stitch length, but the other two , you increased the stitch length a little, so it would be easier to remove.. This worked great. As my size increased, I just let out the seams as needed.. I had a very nice dress when I needed it..I mostly wore casual maternity clothes, because I didn't work outside the home when I was pregnant.. 
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: pucktricks
Date: 12-30-2004, 12:17 AM (4 of 10)
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Libby, what a genius idea, I don't know why they don't say that in the current maternity patterns as an idea, maybe the pattern companies are in league with the cloth companies so you have to buy more stuff...... Ticia |
User: pucktricks
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 570
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From: auzzi
Date: 12-31-2004, 05:46 AM (5 of 10)
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The most difficult part of sewing a maternity wardrobe is the fact that patterns seem to suggest that ALL bits expand - not just the "bump" and breasts. Make sure the pattern fits the shoulders and chest [dresses, blouses and tops] and around the bottom [pants, trousers and shorts]. The bust-line and the tummy is the expandable bit. Consider: "Expanding the Middle" by Sandra Betzina [Power Sewing] http://www.getcreativeshow.com/Crafting_Sewing_Conference_Center/craft_sewing_seminars/expanding_middle.htm This article was originally for Plus Ladies but I think this quote sums up the situation: "For many women the back is relatively flat and the fullness is located on the front only. " Her instructions show how to expand the shirt/blouse pattern without changing the shoulders and the chest. Increasing the length for coverage would be an idea also. A maternity panel inserted in an ordinary straight elasticized skirt or elasticized pants is a simple operation. Choose comfort and favourite style. |
User: auzzi
Member since: 10-28-2003 Total posts: 56 |
From: mommydionne
Date: 01-04-2005, 06:24 PM (6 of 10)
I think I detest maternity patterns even more than ready to wear maternity clothes! I preferred to take favourite patterns that already fit through the shoulders and add "girth" and some room in the bust plus a little length to cover the oh so attractive maternity panel in my pants.  the tops with empire or crossover seaming worked the best for this. I also bought panels and inserted them in pants that were near the end of their days or I was not overly fond of, at least they were of nice fabric and the legs weren't 4 feet wide (I think the pattern makers think all pregnant people balloon out nicely) If you are looking at RTW to buy, check out old navy's stuff online, I also got and entire wardrobe off ebay, consignment stores are good too, I just have to gather up my stuff and that's where it is going!! 4 kids is enough  Have fun sewing and don't forget to make yourself one really nice outfit b/c you just know you are going to get invited somewhere at 8 months and you don't want to spend a fortune on something you will only wear once!!  (do I sound bitter ?? )
Jeanette
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User: mommydionne
Member since: 01-08-2004 Total posts: 838 
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From: sable
Date: 01-11-2005, 03:46 AM (7 of 10)
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For both my pregnancies I was straight out in front and big, but didn't put much weight on legs or top. Vogue 9277, made the leggings. Awful fit even when made in cotton lycra. The wide band seemed to avoid anywhere comfortable with great ease. Vogue 2377, made the sleeveless dress. After I dropped the bust point 3cm it wasn't too bad. Simplicity 9396, made the vest, top and trousers. For the top I added a short zip at the neckline which made it easier to get it on and off. The vest was great! The trousers weren't too bad, lasted 2 pregnancies and have pockets. If you want a slim leg this isn't what you are looking for, works best in fabric with a bit of drape. Burda 3126, I made the skirt in this, a really good straight skirt which did me 2 pregnancies and was ideal for wearing after the birth too. Burda 3255, I made view B trousers. Looked like a good idea, but didn't really work all that well. I suspect that the other 3 views would all work well, fairly slim leg. It was just the button front didn't work on view B. The best pattern of all wasn't a maternity pattern. It's Burda 8704 which is a hipster jeans pattern. I made a few adjustments. It only went up to size 16, so I took it to an 18 effectively, dropped the front waistband by an inch or so, made in in stretch denim with wide elastic in the waistband. This sat below the bump and was comfortable until midway through the final trimester and is still usable now (6 months down the track). None of the patterns for maternity seemed to do the below the bump treatment, which I found was really comfortable until the baby dropped. Hope some of this helps! 
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User: sable
Member since: 01-10-2005 Total posts: 76 
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From: pucktricks
Date: 01-11-2005, 10:43 AM (8 of 10)
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That was a great help, I just finished making my first knit pattern in a maternity top, McCalls 3131. I would probably make it a size smaller next time (I don't remember if this is what my measurements called for or not, but it is still really big on me), and I really liked this pattern. The two changes I would make to it are: length, it's almost down to my knees, and the neckline is a little big. But, other than that it's very comfortable, and quite nice. Ticia |
User: pucktricks
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 570
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From: HeatherL
Date: 01-19-2005, 08:10 PM (9 of 10)
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I had one Butterick maternity pattern, and the end result was so different from the drawing on the envelope that you'd think they weren't the same garment. It was just awful. I had one or two patterns from Simplicity, but the bulk of my maternity wardrobe was from McCall's patterns. They print a lot of "sets", where you'll get patterns for say, a top, pants, and jacket--all in different lengths. I was able to use the same pattern to make three sundresses with very different looks. I was very happy with their designs. Thinking ahead...there are some patterns available for nursing wear, at www.elizabethleedesigns.com I love the nightgown and the bathing suit patterns that I got there, but the dresses were disappointing. They have nice pictures from women who've had great results, but mine all turned out very frumpy-looking. The bodices were stiff and wide...very unflattering. I've done so much redesigning of those patterns that I think I'd have better results starting from scratch and drafting my own. JMHO. |
User: HeatherL
Member since: 03-13-2004 Total posts: 102 |
From: pucktricks
Date: 01-20-2005, 09:03 AM (10 of 10)
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That's what I'd thought from looking at a few of their dresses. I have one pattern I LOVE from Sense and Sensibility patterns that she gives instructions on how to modify it to a nursing dress as well as to modify it to a maternity dress (of course at the time I made the maternity dress I was a lot smaller, and so now my stomach doesn't really fit it, sigh). I hadn't even thought ahead to making nursing clothes, I'll have to think on that. I didn't really end up making that many maternity clothes because I was so disappointed with my first one. Oh well. Ticia |
User: pucktricks
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 570
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