Thoughts on Maternity Wear

Let me just start this post by saying I am not pregnant.

However it is something my husband and I have been talking about. Which of course got me to thinking about things I would need to sew, were I to get pregnant. As much as I don't think I will want to wear boring shop-bought maternity clothes, I also don't know if I will feel much like sewing, so it might be a good idea to work on some dresses that will be suitable for maternity wear, but still be cute and vintagey, now before any pregnancy hormones are interfering.

Firstly, ever since the Swirl Sew-Along over at Sew Retro Rose, I have always thought that with a few modifications, a swirl dress would make a perfect maternity dress, without looking too much like a maternity dress. All that is really needed it to shorten the bodice to raise the waistline up to the under bust (making it more of a empire waistline) and adding extra width to the front skirt panel to be gathered in.

The Swirl Sew-Along pattern

Of course there are also vintage patterns out the for Maternity wear, however, most of these seem to be for tent style dresses and tops, usually consisting of a yoke at the neckline/shoulders and a big gathered skirt section, or just a swing top flared out from the shoulders or bust. There are however a few that are semi-fitted from the shoulder to under the best, then flare out from there.

I did actually manage to find a 40's pattern in my stash, that although isn't printed as maternity, has a hand written note from a previous owner saying "Maternity frock". When you look at the constuction of it, you can see why it was used as a maternity frock pattern, as it is essentially a tent dress, but with the added option of a fabric belt to cinch in the waistline (or above the bump)

40's Maternity Frock

I also found a self draft Maternity top in one of my Enid Gilchrist books

A Maternity top from an Enid Gilchrist book

So I will just have to work out what I want to make first, whether I want to make the alterations to the swirl pattern, or grade up the 40's pattern, or even draft the Enid Gilchrist pattern. And of course, then there is the decision of fabrics.......

Another thing I have been thinking about for pregnancy is making myself a cute hospital gown or 2. I think I might have seen one posted in a Facebook group quite a few years ago, and since then, I just haven't been able to get the idea out of my head. Luckily there is a free pattern at Lazy Girl Designs, which even features velcro/button up shoulders, which makes it perfect for breasfeeding. There is even a blog from another lady who used the free pattern and altered it to suit her maternity needs better, so I know I will want 1 or 2 in bright colours for when I'm stuck in hospital.

Anyone now of any good vintage style maternity patterns?

Dixie