Maternity clothing is a great help to feel comfortable and look professional even while your body undergoes changes such as those related to pregnancy. Maternity pants usually have a knit or elasticated fabric at the waist to fit your tummy as it grows. Finding maternity pants that fit your hips, butt and legs - and are comfortable on your stomach at the same time - can be difficult, but you can try converting them to maternity pants. If you don't want to use a pair you already own, try buying used ones. You may spend less and find pants that, having already been worn, are already a little bit wider. In this guide you will find out how to convert regular trousers into maternity clothes.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Cut the Pants
Step 1. Try on the jeans or pants you want to use
Pull the zipper as far as you can without it bothering you or tightening it too much.
Step 2. Mark this point with a fabric pencil
Step 3. Draw a curve that goes from the waistband of your pants (the band where you find the loops) to the mark made with the pencil, which will then be the lowest point
You should get a smooth curve that goes through the front pockets.
Step 4. Using fabric scissors, cut the pants along the drawn line
Be careful to make it symmetrical.
Step 5. Cut the entire back of the pants, just below the waistband
Do not cut the back pockets, if any.
Step 6. Sew with your sewing machine inside the edge of the fabric, along the cut you just made
This prevents the fabric from fraying. Use yarn that is the same color as the pants.
Step 7. If you are working on jeans, it is best to use a number 100 jeans needle and very strong thread
You can find everything you need in the haberdashery.
Step 8. Sew along the entire cut, using the straight stitch
Then reinforce the zipper part and the edges by passing it a second time.
Method 2 of 3: Create the Maternity Wrap
Step 1. Cut a long enough strip of elastic
Choose it at least 5 cm high so that it does not mark the belly.
Step 2. Try on the pants again
Wrap the elastic around your waist, along the top edge of your pants, where you feel your pelvis bones, so it's comfortable and not too tight.
Remember that the elastic needs to be tight enough to hold the pants, but you also need to leave some room for when your belly grows further
Step 3. Pin the elastic to the point you marked earlier with the fabric pencil
Cut the remaining elastic and sew the two ends together.
Step 4. For the part of the headband that will cover your tummy, use some stretch fabric, jersey or a fitted shirt
Choose a color that fits your pants, like blue or black, or a bright color if you want to create contrast.
- For the abdominal band you will need fabric that is at least 25 cm high. A blend of Lycra and cotton is perfect.
- If you buy stretch fabric by the meter, make sure it is stretchy enough and won't let go too much. If you choose to use a T-shirt instead, get one that fits comfortably on your stomach. You can cut out a horizontal band from the shirt to use as a waistband for jeans.
Step 5. Measure the elastic you made earlier with a tape measure:
the width of the abdominal elastic band must be 5 cm less than that of the elastic.]
Step 6. Cut a piece of fabric this length
Cut the band so that it is between 35 and 43 cm high. The height you choose will depend on the size of your bust.
Step 7. Pin the ends of the band to each other to form a loop, as if you were making a corset
Sew the ends together with the sewing machine.
Step 8. Fold the band in half lengthwise to double the fabric
The seam you made should be folded in half. Keep the open edges down and the folded side of the fabric up.
Step 9. Measure the height of the loop for the elastic
This measurement depends on the height of the elastic, for example if it is 5 cm high, you will have to consider 5 + 1, 5 cm, that is 6, 5 cm from the open edge.
Step 10. Mark the measurement with a fabric pencil or chalk
Bring it back along the entire elastic band.
Step 11. Sew along this line with the zigzag stitch
You must sew the two layers of fabric of the stretch band together, but not the two parts of the ring.
Step 12. Insert the elastic into the pocket created on the waistband
It should stop at the seam you just made.
Step 13. Sew a seam just below the elastic along the entire length of the waistband to create a loop
Again use the zigzag stitch.
Method 3 of 3: Sew the Maternity Pants
Step 1. Spread the pants out on a table
Position the waistband so that the hem coincides with the hem of the pants (you will probably need to pull a little). Turn the elastic band over your pants so that the inside is exposed.
Step 2. Pin the edges with a pin
Once the abdominal band is turned inside out, the right side of the band and the right side of the pants will be in contact.
Step 3. Pass the sewing machine twice along the edge, sewing the jeans and the elastic waistband together
Use a narrow zigzag stitch or the cut and sew machine.
Step 4. Now turn the waistband and try on your new maternity pants
You can wear them holding the elastic band high to cover the whole belly or folded in two.
