How to
convert a store bought pattern into a maternity style
Nice looking stylish maternity patterns and
maternity clothing are
usually very hard to find - especially if you're not an "average"
size. Petite maternity clothing or plus size maternity clothing are very
difficult to match the size you really need. Even if the size is
available, how many different "styles" of maternity clothes are available.
Pregnant women usually have very little to choose from, and if you'd like to
have "modest" styles, there is almost nothing available.
Changing regular "store
bought" patterns into maternity styles is exactly what it sounds like --
take the normal patterns that you like to use, and have on hand and change them
so they can be used as maternity patterns. Our practice blouse begins with
a simple top that has a back neck zipper closure.
This first pattern is using any back zipper
closing top that you like to wear. We're going to add the yoke
and fullness to make it into a maternity style.
1. To determine where to begin the "yoke"
portion, measure up 4.5 cm (1 3/4") from the horizontal lower
armhole line, as indicated above. If your blouse pattern
doesn't have a horizontal lower armhole line, simply draw in your
own line, then use that line as a guide to position the cutting line
for the yoke. Extend the new yoke line 7 cm (2 3/4") out
as shown on both the front and back bodice pieces (this will
be the extra allowance for the gathers.
2. At the lower front measure down 3
cm (1 1/4") to allow for the tummy expansion, and draw in the new
slightly curved line.
3. At the lower armhole point measure
out .5 cm (1/4") to give the extra room needed in the armhole
area. (NOTE: If you're using a pattern that has sleeves,
you'll want to measure out the .5 cm (1/4") on the lower sleeve
edges as well, and re-draw the curve on the sleeve (if you neglect
to do this, the sleeve won't fit into the opening.)
4. When finished drawing in the new "yoke"
line and adjusting the armhole edges, etc, you are ready to cut the
paper pattern pieces. After cutting the yoke portion from the
remainder of the front bodice, it is necessary to "remove" the dart.
5. On the paper pattern draw a short
vertical line from the bust point to the yoke. Next cut
the short vertical line to the bust point (this is done on the paper
pattern, NOT on the fabric!). Fold the original dart together.
As you fold the original dart, it will spread the "cut" line on the
pattern and will get rid of the original dart, as well as make a
little extra room for gathers.
6. The back yoke is drawn and cut from the
bottom part of the pattern in the same manner as the front.
7. When you pin the pattern pieces to the
fabric, be sure to leave enough room between yoke and lower bodice
to draw in the new 5/8" seam lines (shown here with dashed lines).
8. When doing the sewing of the garment, of
course you'll be putting the front pattern piece and the yoke on a
fold, and the back yoke and lower pattern piece will be along a
selvage edge because of the zipper closure.
9. Pin and sew the front and back lower
bodice pieces to the respective yokes, gathering the lower bodice
onto the yoke. After this part is finished you can follow the
pattern package sewing directions for the remainder of the of the
blouse.
You can see how easy it is to
change a store bought pattern into a maternity blouse. Just a
few simple changes to the patterns will give you a huge wardrobe of
maternity clothes! In addition, many of the maternity clothes
can be changed back into regular clothing after the baby is
born! Whether you're looking for maternity dresses, maternity
evening wear, maternity bridal gowns, maternity pants or whatever
type of maternity clothes and maternity wear you'd like, this on
line sewing class is all you need to get started on your sewing
projects. There are two
"converting store bought patterns into maternity styles"
classes available - one for the regular S-XL size ranges, and the
Full Figure class for those who are 1X - 8X size ranges.
MAT101 - Converting Store-Bought Patterns into Maternity
Patterns - $14.95
MATF-101 - Converting Store-Bought Patterns into
Full Figure Maternity
Patterns - $14.95
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