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
67 Comments
This is wonderful!! I have some preggy friends that would LOVE to see this! Thanks for sharing!
neha
http://nehamade.blogspot.com/
Thank you so much for this series!!
great idea!
thanks for sharing
xoxo luisella
Sometimes I just can’t wait to be pregnant. This is this moment too.
so excited to see what you have coming up. I’m preggo so this stuff is really helpful.
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.
so clever! I love it.
Perfect timing! I am 17 weeks along with my third :).
Great idea! I’m not there yet but good to know for the day that I will be.
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!
Amazing idea! These are so customisable too! xx
http://www.jenventure.blogspot.co.uk
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
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!
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. 🙂
Genius!
http://natashafatah.com
http://natashafatah.com
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!
<3
http://rivercitysammon.com
Yay! I’m so glad you’re doing this series. Can’t wait to see what else you come up with. ♥
This is so creative!
http://www.eatblogpray.blogspot.com
xo
Ooo I love the Peppermint Parade Striped Dress– so cute!!!
awesome- posted on the wrong post 😉 iiiii would. loved this one too though! can’t wait till i can make one of these.
Im loving this series!!!!
Now I want a belly to show this off :0
zlovesv.blogspot.com
i didn’t think stacy could ever get more beautiful, but seeing her pregnant is just…i can’t…she is mesmerizing.
This is so cute!!
you have no idea how happy this makes me. i’m 32 weeks today and i have to wear jeans to work and this is a much cheaper alternative to having to buy more and more maternity jeans!
İkinci El İşaat Makinaları
Love this! Stacy is seriously perfect. I love that you guys are friends because we readers get to benefit from the clash of creativity and beauty you both possess! Cute series idea!
cute but belly bands never worked for me, my pants would start to fall off.
Thanks so much for this tutorial. I really want a belly band for next time around but hated to buy one. Now I can make it:)
That is awesome! I almost wish I was going to have another baby just to make my own cute bands. The ones from the store are hideous. Stacy looks so, so beautiful pregnant!
Where is her non maternity top from?
do you mind sharing where her non maternity top came from? it’s classy and adorable 😉
This series looks so great! Just thinking though: could Stacey say a couple words about the DIY? Is it comfortable? Practical? I just think it would be really interesting to have a review from the lady rockin’ it! The band looks super cute and practical 🙂
Jennifer, that top is from American Eagle. XO!
Absolutely brilliant!
Oh my goodness, this is just too adorable for words! I need to pin this because it just seems like more and more of my friends are becoming preggers. Stacey looks so great! What a great series this will be! 🙂
xoxo,
Laura
http://lauraisthriftingthroughlife.blogspot.com/
Cute! And great – even though I’m not pregnant atm, I’ve been thinking of making a band for myself normally as I often find tops I love that just don’t quite hang the way I want them to or they’re too loose over my hips and I want to achieve a layering effect without layering if you know what I mean. This tutorial has some great tips – thanks! 🙂
I’m SO excited to see more of the DIY maternity series! I’m expecting my first baby in September and have been trying to stay creative and economical with my wardrobe. This is perfect timing!
Also, I love the idea of making a belly band which is meant to be seen. Most of the mass market belly bands I’ve seen are supposed to be hidden, which makes them extra challenging to wear. I love the stripes you used!
Belly bands are the best – I think I spent way too much money on them when I was pregnant. Should’ve thought of making my own instead! Love this black and white stripy one.
Ronnie xo
Love this! I especially like the striped fabrics you are using in these projects. It’s so fun right now, and the stripes accent the curve of a pregnant belly nicely! I love how comfortable people are nowadays with showing their bump. I can’t wait to get pregnant now! 😛
What a great idea! I don’t have kids/ am not pregnant, but I will log this one away for later! And I just did a post on my new Swedish Hasbeens that I bought through Modcloth – I totally got them because of you!
http://www.prettylittlefawn.blogspot.com
SO cute.
Ky
http://www.thebirdssay.blogspot.com
So smart! I’d love to know what lipstick she is wearing.
Cute and simple, yay!
xo Heather
http://ahopelessnotebook.blogspot.com/
This is awesome! I lived in belly bands all through my pregnancy. Not once did I have to buy maternity clothes. In fact I still use mine often. I wish I could sew so I could make these!
Great!
I will make one for my next pregnancy… if my husband agree finally accept ; )
http://mykitschworld.blogspot.com.es
Aww, she’s positively gorgeous. And that band is an excellent idea! One of my close friends is pregnant, I think she’d like this! 🙂
Such a quick and easy idea! FAB!
great idea!
thanks for sharing
beautiful woman 🙂
Cute!
Val
http://valentinaduracinsky.blogspot.com/
beautiful photos
Great idea! This would be great for a bike tour or moped ride, to keep your back warm. 😉
Thanks for sharing! I love this, totally needed another cute idea for gifts for my pregnant clients! Thanks again,
http://www.ExerciseYourBeauty.com
I need a belly band for my everyday life, beer belly. It looks so cute on Stacy!
Super adorable and a great way to save your money for baby, rather than maternity clothes. Congratulations Miss Stacy!
This is amazing!!! I’m so happy that you are doing this series. I just found out I’m expecting, a little late, I’m already 15 weeks! I’m almost ready to start showing and I’m scrambling for ideas to extend my wardrobe. Thanks!!!
Nice project 🙂
http://sztukastudiowania.blogspot.com/2012/07/tree-swing.html
I absolutely love Ruche! My go-to store for all my dress shopping.
I’m a fan of the new Dear Creatures Dresden dress! I love the collar and the marigold color! 🙂
What a cute and easy idea. She is so beautiful!
http://www.hungrydelights.com/
I love this! I’m not pregnant, but my best friend is. I sent her the link to this article, I think she’ll really like it. It’s great to see fashion for pregnant girls and a reminder that they can wear something other than the usual empire-waist dresses and maternity jeans
What a great idea! I have already shared the link with my pregnant friends 🙂
Great post wish it was out 2 years ago 🙂
Zoe
http://gypsiesister.blogspot.co.uk
Shes looking stunning and its great that you can make your own band, they really do come in handy!
great idea! also, stacy’s makeup is stunning- do you have details on what she wore?
awesome D.I.Y. I’m not pregnant but I will be sharing with my girlfriend carrying twins right now! I have a little tip to the gal who said her unbuttoned pants keep falling down, just loop a little piece of button hole elastic through the button hole, then hook it onto the actual button! those jeans won’t budge I promise! 🙂 thanks again ladies, you guys are genius!
doesnt work so well for those of us ladies with a little or a lot of junk in our trunks…….the bands roll on the backside……so someone needs to figure out how to stop the booty roll on the belly band 😉