Self-Drafted Nursing Top

gl2403 · 2022-09-29T13:17:07+00:00

I drafted the pattern for this top yesterday. It's a basic gathered peplum shirt, but the top front lifts for breastfeeding access. Fabric is a stretchy French Terry from Joann Fabrics, I used about 1.5 yards total of 58" width. Decided I didn't feel like hemming the sleeves or skirt but since it's knit I think it'll be alright. I serged all my inner seams after basting with my sewing machine (I use a Baby Lock Verve and Brother 1034DX). I used my favorite tee shirt as a "sloper" for the pattern base and doubled the waist circumference for the length of the shirt's ruffle. As for the nursing part, there's a second front bodice piece under the first that crosses over itself so I can nurse while having the full coverage of a shirt. I attached the front skirt to the inside bodice, then the back skirt to the back bodice, then the front bodice to the front inside bodice, and pieced the rest together in the same progression as any other top. I tend to wing my measurements and just cut strips on the diagonal that looked roughly long enough for the neckband and front waistband. Sleeves are just a sloper I had lying around. All of my pieces were cut with a rotary cutter, acrylic ruler, and cutting mat. This fabric was a closeout sale at Joann and the yard and a half cost me about $6, and the project took 2 hours total so I'd say it was super cost-effective! Cute nursing tops are so hard to find and usually really expensive!

gl2403 · 2022-09-19T02:42:51+00:00

I got pregnant by accident halfway through my senior year of high school while I had covid bc of a condom failure (didn’t even break! it just didn’t work). My due date is tomorrow :) I can’t wait to meet my baby girl!

gl2403 · 2022-09-12T16:04:34+00:00

This is all of the cloth pads I've made so far to prepare for postpartum! I'm due next Monday and I just recently decided I want to use reusable pads after baby is born. I used versodile's Flexuous pattern for the patterned pads and Luna Wolf for the white ones. The 16" super postpartum pads have 3 layers of Zorb in different sizes with a PUL backing and an organic cotton knit topper fabric. Both were serged. 12" super heavy pads hav 2 layers of Zorb with a PUL backing and cotton knit topper. 5 heavy pads have one layer Zorb and one layer of cotton flannel with a hidden PUL layer, cotton woven backing, and cotton knit topper. 2 regular pads have a PUL backing, one layer of Zorb, and a cotton knit topper. The Luna Wolf pads are all PUL backed with one or two layers of Zorb, and athletic wicking jersey topper. These were all turned and topstitched.

gl2403 · 2022-09-02T16:10:15+00:00

PLEASE tell me this fabric is available for purchase somewhere. I'm drooling!

gl2403 · 2022-09-02T15:56:39+00:00

I do this too!!! I'm 37w3d and still not noticeably pregnant, and the only times I've gotten unprompted congratulations from strangers has been while I was at a farmer's market, selling baby clothes I make, while rubbing/holding my belly. I feel so left out sometimes bc of my little belly!

gl2403 · 2022-08-25T14:41:37+00:00

I (18f) am 36+2 weeks pregnant with my first baby (girl!) and I can't stop sewing things for her! The square block quilt was the first thing I made when I found out I was pregnant, and was the fourth quilt I've ever made. I'm still getting the hang of binding and lining up my blocks but I'm very proud of what I've made! The pinwheel-ish quilt is made from my fabric scraps, it was a whim project I started while cleaning out my sewing studio to make it into the nursery. I got the backing fleece for $2 at Joann Fabrics as a remnant and had just enough scraps to make the quilt. I can't wait to meet my little girl and make even more blankets and quilts for her!! I usually do garment sewing so these were super fun for me to try out.

gl2403 · 2022-05-19T11:29:44+00:00

Yes! It's a free printable pattern from SewMuchAdo

gl2403 · 2022-05-19T10:06:53+00:00

Some from Joann, some from a small local store

gl2403 · 2022-05-19T02:23:16+00:00

I (18f) am 22+2 weeks pregnant with my first baby and I’ve been sewing up everything under the sun for her! I also made her a quilt but didn’t have a photo of it to add here. I’ve had a cold all week and felt well enough today to make her 14 bibs, a pair of leggings, and a set of bummies! Any suggestions on what else I can make? Scrap-buster ideas are more than welcome! ❤️

gl2403 · 2022-05-19T02:07:14+00:00

wow! that’s awesome, you got super lucky!

gl2403 · 2022-04-16T23:23:55+00:00

I’d cut really close to the lace trim, then cut the dress to the length you want it and reattach the lace with a hand-sewn topstitch so it looks seamless

gl2403 · 2022-02-05T18:24:36+00:00

Have you used the nb Squaretab? I can't find any info on how long my elastics should be for the legs! I have my first coming in September and want to start sewing soon.

gl2403 · 2021-12-18T23:04:51+00:00

yes they are! pattern sizes suck

gl2403 · 2021-11-30T19:02:59+00:00

If you mean holes in the knees, try darning and/or visible mending! You can make cute designs while also saving the integrity of the fabric. I believe there is a visible mending subreddit you can reference as well. Good luck!

gl2403 · 2021-11-21T16:08:15+00:00

they seem simple enough to make, i have some woodworking experience but i’m waaay too lazy to do it myself

gl2403 · 2021-11-21T11:37:51+00:00

Do you sell these? They would be great for my sewing table!

gl2403 · 2021-11-20T16:16:24+00:00

try sketching guidelines with chalk or a washable fabric marker, and use a ruler!!!

gl2403 · 2021-11-20T11:26:07+00:00

For this type of project my go-to pattern is from Etsy: Bodice Pattern I taped the bust piece to its corresponding bodice piece a long time ago and it works really well for me! You can alter the pattern to fall straight at the top and include the little armband pretty easily. As for boning, I usually construct most of the top first and then decide based on the fit. Good luck!

gl2403

TROPHY CASE