Hailey Tran
Sewing your own maternity hospital gown is a great way to ensure you feel comfortable and confident during labour and delivery. It can also be a fun and therapeutic project to work on before your due date. You can find patterns for maternity hospital gowns online, including on Etsy, where you can also buy custom, handmade gowns. If you're feeling creative, you can even design your own pattern, ensuring you have enough fabric to account for your belly and that the gown is long enough. You can also add personal touches, such as flower pins or zebra print.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sewing machine | Brother SE400 |
| Fabric | Zebra print with pink trim, purple and green batik, Lilly-Pulitzer inspired prints, cowboy print, etc. |
| Fabric length | Extend the fabric length depending on how long you want the gown to be. |
| Fabric shape | A-shaped to account for the belly. |
| Front pattern | Cut the front piece on the fold. |
| Back pattern | Cut on the fold so that the back is open. |
| Ribbon tabs | Cut a piece of fabric (about 1.5 inches by 3 inches) and fold the long edges. |
| Binding | Measure armholes, neck, and back, cut fabric strips, fold, and pin to the wrong side of the gown. |
| Buttons | Sew buttons on the back for closure. |
| Sterility | Hospital gowns are made with sterility considerations in mind. |
| Etsy patterns | Etsy offers unique or custom handmade pieces, including maternity hospital gown patterns. |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing a pattern
When creating your own pattern, consider the style and functionality you desire. You can opt for a simple A-line shape with an open back, allowing for adjustments as your belly grows. This can be achieved by folding your fabric in half and placing the front pattern piece on the fold, extending it to your desired length. Don't forget to account for your belly by creating an A-shape; place your measuring tape at a diagonal on the opposite side of the fold and trace. For the back piece, cut on the fold to ensure an open back.
Additionally, consider the length of the gown. Many patterns tend to be shorter than desired, so you may want to lengthen it by at least 6 inches. You can also add ribbon tabs to the sides or shoulders for a stylish touch and adjustability. These can be created by cutting fabric strips of approximately 1.5 inches by 3 inches, folding the long edges, and ironing them in place.
If you're altering a non-maternity pattern, look for patterns with an empire waist or those that can be easily modified. For instance, Simplicity 3645 is a scrub pattern with a maternity option that includes gathers in the front, making it ideal for snap shoulders and a snap back. McCall's M6200 is another pattern with a detachable belt that can be transformed into an empire waist.
Remember to consider the functionality of the gown, ensuring it provides easy access for epidurals and breastfeeding. You may also want to add snaps or buttons at the back for added closure.
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Cutting the fabric
Now that your pattern is made, it’s time to start cutting the fabric. Fold your fabric in half and place your front pattern piece on the fold. You can extend the fabric depending on how long you want your gown to be. You want to make the gown A-shaped to account for your belly. So, on the opposite side of the fold, put your measuring tape at a diagonal and trace.
Do the same thing with the back. This time, though, you want to cut on the fold so that your back is open. Now, you should have a front and back cut out.
Next, cut out the ribbon tabs that will hold the ribbon in place. Cut a piece of fabric that is about 1.5 inches by 3 inches. Fold the long edges down a little and iron them.
To bind the armholes, neckline, and back of the dress, you will need to cut five strips of fabric that are 1.5 inches wide and as long as your measurements. You will be making your own bias tape.
If you want to add snaps to the back, you can cut the edge of one of the back pieces and fold it over about 1.5 inches. You can then pin the male end snap at the top and space them evenly down the fabric.
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Sewing the sides
Now that you have your fabric cut out, it's time to start sewing the sides of your maternity hospital gown. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:
Step 1: Place the front and back pieces of your fabric together, ensuring they are properly aligned. You will be sewing the sides of the dress together, so focus on the side seams.
Step 2: Starting from the armhole, begin sewing down the side seam. Use a straight stitch for this step, and ensure your seam allowance is consistent throughout.
Step 3: As you reach the bottom of the gown, continue sewing to create a neat hem. You can decide on the desired length of your gown and adjust the hem accordingly.
Step 4: Repeat this process for the other side seam, ensuring that your seams match up on both sides. It's important to take your time and maintain straight stitching lines.
Step 5: Once you've sewn both side seams, it's a good idea to finish the raw edges to prevent fraying. You can use a serger or an overlock stitch to finish the edges neatly.
Customization:
You can customize the sides of your maternity hospital gown by adding design elements or functional features:
- Trim: Add a fun and colorful trim to the sides of your gown by using double-fold bias tape. This can be sewn along the side seams for a unique look.
- Pockets: Create pockets by sewing them onto the sides of your gown. Ensure they are securely attached and consider their placement for functionality.
- Slits: If you prefer a gown with side slits, you can add them by cutting a straight line from the bottom hem and sewing the edges to create a neat finish.
- Embroidery: Embellish the sides with embroidery designs or personalized details. This can make your gown more special and unique.
Remember to try on your gown as you work, ensuring a comfortable fit throughout the sewing process. Adjust as needed to accommodate your growing belly, and don't be afraid to add your creative touches!
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Binding the armholes, neck and back
To bind the armholes, neck, and back of your maternity hospital gown, you will need to take five separate measurements: one for each armhole, one for the neck, and one for the back. Using these measurements, cut five strips of fabric, each 1.5 inches wide and as long as your measurements require. You are essentially making your own bias tape.
Next, fold each strip in half lengthwise, then fold each edge into the middle. Pin the binding to the wrong side of the gown. Sew along the first crease, then use a zig-zag stitch to finish the edge. Now, fold the other side of the binding into the middle, then fold everything over the raw edge.
After binding everything, zig-zag stitch or serge the edges.
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Hemming the bottom
To hem the bottom of the gown, start by folding the fabric at the bottom edge about half an inch towards the wrong side of the fabric. Press the fold with an iron to create a crisp edge. Then, fold the fabric again by another inch and press it with the iron again. This second fold will create a neat finish for the bottom of your gown.
Next, it's time to sew the hem in place. You can use a straight stitch or a zig-zag stitch for this step. Sew along the top edge of the folded fabric, making sure to keep your stitching line straight and even. Sew around the entire circumference of the gown, ensuring that you don't accidentally stitch the front and back layers of the gown together.
If you prefer a more decorative finish, you can also use bias tape to hem the bottom of your gown. Cut a strip of bias tape slightly longer than the circumference of the gown. Fold the bias tape in half lengthwise and press it with an iron. Then, open up the tape and align the raw edge of the gown with the center of the tape. Sew along the crease closest to the edge of the tape. Finally, fold the other half of the tape over the raw edge of the gown and stitch it in place.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several patterns available for purchase on Etsy, including the Sonnet Gown Pattern, which is a printable PDF with a tutorial. You can also find free patterns online, such as Simplicity 3645, which is a scrub pattern with a maternity option that can be altered for snap shoulders and a snap back.
The type of fabric you use is up to your personal preference. Some people prefer to use zebra print with pink trim, purple and green batik, Lilly-Pulitzer inspired prints, or cowboy print. You can also use 100% cotton, linen, or microfleece.
First, create your pattern, then cut out the fabric pieces. Sew the sides of the dress together, then bind the armholes, neckline, and back of the dress using bias tape. Add snaps or buttons to the back, and finally, hem the bottom of the gown.
