Having a baby is one of the most stressful yet happy times of any woman's life. Drastic changes in your body over a relatively short period of time may leave you feeling unattractive and desperate for a wardrobe that fits correctly. Fortunately, making your own maternity pants is both an economical way to alter your existing wardrobe and bring a little bit of fashion into your months as a growing pregnant woman.
Step 1
Choose a pair of pants made of forgiving material that will stretch with your body as your pregnancy progresses. Decide whether you want to alter a pair of pants you already own, or whether you want to purchase an inexpensive pair at a thrift or second-hand store.
Step 2
Purchase a pair of leggings, yoga pants or other type of stretchy pants or support hose you can use as the belly panel of your new maternity pants.
Step 3
Try on the pants and measure where you want to cut them to allow for the new belly panel. The line should be low enough to sit all the way below your belly and allow for your expanding midsection. Mark this line with straight pins. Cut out along the line.
Step 4
Cut your stretchy pants or hose just above the crotch seam to provide you with a full belly panel. This should create a tube of finished fabric with only one raw edge to sew.
Step 5
Match the right sides of the belly panel and your cut pants together, with the raw edges meeting at the top. Secure this edge with straight pins.
Step 6
Thread your sewing machine with thread that matches your pants, and sew a 4/8-inch seam around the raw edge to attach the two pieces of material together. For extra reinforcement, add a 3/8-inch row of stitching using the marker on your sewing machine.
Tips and Warnings
- If your pants to be altered include pockets or zippers, consider their placement before cutting; most zippers are too low to be removed, and some pockets will be too high to remain in the design. It's always possible to create a cut line that curves below the belly yet still include these pockets or part of the zipper. You may find that the belly panel and pants do not match perfectly when it comes time to sew them together. If one circumference is slightly larger than the other, simply include a small tuck while sewing by folding over the excess. This will typically be hidden by your maternity shirts.
- If you have never used a sewing machine, enlist the help of someone who is knowledgeable to prevent injury.
Things You'll Need
- Old pants
- Spandex pants or support hose
- Tape measure
- Straight pins
- Scissors
- Sewing machine and thread
