MATERNITY SEWING PATTERNS
If you are pregnant or thinking about what to sew if you were pregnant then we’ve got a fantastic read for you. The options for maternity sewing patterns are pretty scarce and a lot of them aren’t very inspiring. As a maker it’s been really interesting seeing how you body changes through the process and a lot of my handmade wardrobe worked really well. So we’ve compiled a list of maternity appropriate patterns that you are going to want to make, wear, AND crucially come back to next year. It’s a big time investment sewing, so you want to be able to wear it long term.. especially when you don’t have time to sew because of the new arrival!
ZW Gather Dress from Birgitta Helmersson:
The Gather dress sewing pattern is perfect if you are pregnant. It’s a lovely simple shape to sew and it’s going to be able to see you thought your pregnancy too. The seam at the bust with gathering makes its lovely loose silhouette and if you are pregnant in the summer will keep you cool too. The button down front means it would be breast feeding appropriate too.
Sizing: 6-24
Pattern Format: PDF with optional copyshop printing
Lyra Shirt Dress from Tilly and the Buttons:
The Lyra Shirt dress is such a fantastic pattern and perfect for whatever time of year you are pregnant. Choose between long and short sleeves and also different lengths. Because of the growing bump I’d recommend making the longer version as you dress will ride up as you get bigger. The tie at the waist is optional and could you tied above the bump.
Sizing: 6-24
Pattern Format: Paper
Feliz Dress from Fibre Mood:
The Feliz dress is another patten that has a shirtdress feel. I absolutely love this timeless shape, it’s one you’ll want to wear again and again. Make it in a viscose in the the summer or a lightweight suiting come winter. You might want to size up for this pattern to make sure it fits you the whole way through!
Sizing: 6-28
Pattern Format: PDF with optional copyshop printing
Myosotis Dress from Deer and Doe:
The Myosotis dress has been a firm favourite for the pregnant sewing community – myself included! I’d actually made this before I was pregnant and it’s seen me through the entire thing. The pattern has a couple of different variations. My suggestion would be to use the skirt of version B and then add the gathered panel onto that as it’ll work better as you get towards the end of your pregnancy.
Sizing: 6-16
Pattern Format: Paper
Annie Dress from Tessuti:
The Annie dress might just be the perfect summer dress for pregnancy! It’s simple construction means you’ll have it sewn up in no time and it’s lovely and airy for warmer weather. I also found wearing sports bras more comfortable and this strap shape would work well for this.
Sizing: 6-16
Pattern Format: Paper
Fringe Blouse and dress from Chalk & Notch:
The Fringe dress and blouse is a firm favourite amongst the sewing community and the fantastic thing is that its perfect for maternity wear. It’s another pattern that would work if you chose to breastfeed because of the button front. We particularly love the top version and don’t think you’d need to size up at all.
Sizing: 8-30
Pattern Format: PDF with optional copyshop printing
Hemi Tunic from Named Clothing:
The Helmi shirt has been a surprise favourite, if I’d been looking at patterns I wouldn’t have featured it. I love this pattern and have about 5 versions that I’ve shortened into a top. I wore these ALL the time and they were quite good at disguising the bump too. If you do shorten this is make it into a top I’d recommend keeping the curved hem as this works well with the bump.
Sizing: 6-28
Pattern Format: Paper & PDF with optional copyshop printing
Skye Sundress from Tilly and the Buttons:
The Skye dress is perfect for the hot weather and just what you want to be wearing. I really love the yellow version of this dress worn with a t-shirt underneath. It means you could make it in spring and still be wearing it in full summer. Again if you’d like to make the shorter version I’d recommend lengthening it a little.
Sizing: 6-24
Pattern Format: Paper
Esther tunic from Liberty:
The Esther top is a lovely roomy pattern that will grow with you! Again adding a little length to the top might be a good idea but you could easily just cut out your normal size and it would work well. We love the two variations on the sleeve and they are screaming to be made in a lovely Liberty lawn.
Sizing: 4-24
Pattern Format: Paper
Coeli Blouse from Pauline Alice:
I popped in the Coeli blouse as I thought this would work really well if you wanted to make something nice for a special occasion. There are loads of fantastic details on this top including the the deep pin tucks on the sleeves and you’d be able to sew this in your normal size.
Sizing: 6-22
Pattern Format: Paper
Floreat Dress from Megan Nielsen:
I wish I’d thought about making the Floreat top as it’s a perfect pattern to see you all the way though pregnancy. This pattern can be made in a woven fabric as well as a jersey and both have such a different look that you’d not know they were the same pattern. The asymmetric dropped hemline at the front will work really well with your growing bump and you can tie the waist tie just under the bust.
Sizing: 6-20
Pattern Format: Paper
