Today we are kicking off a series of super simple maternity DIY projects! This week we will share five clothing projects that you can make with basic sewing skills. We started planning this series as soon as we heard that our beautiful pal Stacy King was expecting. She is modeling each piece. First up, we are making a cute belly band. These are amazing because they can really stretch your pre-pregnancy wardrobe. You can wear non-maternity jeans and tops with the help of this band. Plus it's so easy to create you can make it in different colors and patterns to mix and match with your wardrobe! Enjoy...
Here's how to make your very own belly band... 1. Supplies Needed: 1 yard jersey fabric, scissors, measuring tape, sewing machine. 2. Begin with a strip of fabric the length of your hips (measure around the fullest part and subtract 1 inch), and 10 inches high (you can make it 20 inches for a larger band). Fold it in half long ways with the outside facing in and sew the seams together with a zig zag stitch. 3. Once you've sewn along the seam, flip it inside out, creating a long tube. 4. Now you're going to attach the ends together. Begin by pinning together the inside seam of each end, and continue to pin the edges 3/4 of the way around. You won't be able to pin them together completely because you still need to flip the ends right side out. Once you've pinned it in place 3/4 of the way, stitch it in place. Note: If this step seems too complicated, no problem! You can easily fold both ends towards the inside of the band and sew them together with one straight stitch. This will still work, but look more messy on the inside of your band. 5. Once you've sewn together the ends 3/4 of the way, flip the ends right side out. 6. Last, hand stitch the small hole up to complete your belly band!
Belly bands are a great way to wear pre-pregnancy button up pieces, like jeans, throughout your pregnancy. The band covers the button or zipper area so you don't have to close them. The band also covers some of your belly so you can feel comfortable wearing tops that have become a little shorter!
Stacy is 25 weeks along in this photo and will be able to wear this belly band into her third trimester! XO. Elsie
This is wonderful!! I have some preggy friends that would LOVE to see this! Thanks for sharing!
neha
http://nehamade.blogspot.com/
Posted by: neha @ nehamade | July 24, 2012 at 01:50 PM
Thank you so much for this series!!
Posted by: Sarah | July 24, 2012 at 01:52 PM
great idea!
thanks for sharing
xoxo luisella
Posted by: luisella | July 24, 2012 at 01:53 PM
Sometimes I just can't wait to be pregnant. This is this moment too.
Posted by: Julia | July 24, 2012 at 01:53 PM
so excited to see what you have coming up. I'm preggo so this stuff is really helpful.
Posted by: Mrs Skvortsov | July 24, 2012 at 01:53 PM
This is so cute, my neighbor and her husband are having their 2nd child and this is a perfect gift to say thank you for some of the sweet things she did for me this year.
Posted by: Jess Dynarski | July 24, 2012 at 01:54 PM
so clever! I love it.
Posted by: CarlyMaria | July 24, 2012 at 01:55 PM
Perfect timing! I am 17 weeks along with my third :).
Posted by: Monica | July 24, 2012 at 02:03 PM
Great idea! I'm not there yet but good to know for the day that I will be.
Posted by: Miss K | July 24, 2012 at 02:07 PM
I'm kicking myself for nothing thinking of this! lol... I am 34 weeks pregnant and bought one of those belly bands that are just plain black or white and run around $20!!! They are not cute like this!
What an awesome post!
Posted by: Olivia @ I am still learning | July 24, 2012 at 02:07 PM
Amazing idea! These are so customisable too! xx
http://www.jenventure.blogspot.co.uk
Posted by: Jenny | July 24, 2012 at 02:11 PM
Your friend is glowing!
She looks very pretty in her pregnancy so congrats to her!
I'm not pregnant (yet) but my fiance and I are planning to have a baby in a few years time so hopefully this will still be around then and i can refer to here for myself!
Thank you!
http://dreamyrosefashions.blogspot.com
Posted by: Nicole | July 24, 2012 at 02:14 PM
Oh my goodness, thank you so much for this, I've just been asked by a friend to make her one of these, and it's so useful to see one already made up!
Posted by: Alexandra | July 24, 2012 at 02:23 PM
The belly band is super cute, but they never seem to work out for me personally - even the Bella Brand ones. My pants always feel like they are falling off when I wear a belly band with regular unbuttoned jeans. Plus, I usually gain weight in the hips and thighs during pregnancy, so I'm usually not able to wear my regular jeans during pregnancy. I could just be me though, and how my pregnancies go. But the outfit is still super cute. :)
Posted by: Michelle Sexton | July 24, 2012 at 02:24 PM
Genius!
http://natashafatah.com
http://natashafatah.com
Posted by: Natasha | July 24, 2012 at 02:29 PM
She looks so beautiful!! That belly band is such a great idea... How nice it would be to be able to wear your normal clothes and not have to buy so much extra maternity wear! Wonderful idea!
http://rivercitysammon.com
Posted by: Lauren | July 24, 2012 at 02:35 PM
Yay! I'm so glad you're doing this series. Can't wait to see what else you come up with. ♥
Posted by: Lindsay | July 24, 2012 at 03:05 PM
This is so creative!
www.eatblogpray.blogspot.com
xo
Posted by: Gina | July 24, 2012 at 03:07 PM
Ooo I love the Peppermint Parade Striped Dress-- so cute!!!
Posted by: Kayla | July 24, 2012 at 03:12 PM
awesome- posted on the wrong post ;) iiiii would. loved this one too though! can't wait till i can make one of these.
Posted by: Kayla | July 24, 2012 at 03:13 PM