Nursing Dress Pattern

I figured out how to sew my own nursing dress!  It was very simple to do and turned out wonderfully.  I used some pre-smocked material from Field's Fabrics for the top part.  The bottom is just a regular printed fabric that I picked up to match.

I think I used 1 yard of the black and 1.5 yards of the print.  You'll just have to hold the fabric up around you and take a guess how much you'll need.  If you are planning to make straps out of the same fabric, allow some extra material.  You could also use a thick ribbon for the straps instead.

The printed material is actually like a skirt that comes all the way up to about 2 inches below the top of the black.  Below is a picture of the dress inside out so you can see how it works.  It is not attached across the front.  It is sewn in about 5 places across the back.  There is a little 1/2 inch seam up and down on either side of my hand and in three other places.  (I didn't want to sew straight across the back because I needed to allow the elastic to stretch.)

Are you confused yet?  To nurse, you just lift the smocked part up and pull the skirt part down.

After washing and drying the material, I made one seam down the black smocked fabric.  This makes it into a tube top.

Hem the bottom of your skirt material and make one seam up  the back.  Around the top, make a casing for elastic.  I used a lightweight cotton elastic that was pretty stretchy.  Try this on and adjust the elastic so that its tight, but has room to stretch.  Remember that you will be tacking this to the smocked part to make it stay up, so it doesn't have to be too tight.

Make some straps and have someone help you pin them to the smocked top in the right places.  You will want to wear your favorite bra to be sure that straps cover it nicely.  Sew on the straps and tack the skirt to the top across the back (be sure to line up the seams).  You're done!  If you have any questions please ask and I'll be happy to help.

While you're at it, make your little cutie a skirt!

Note: I found the smocked fabric at Field's Fabrics.  It came in several different colors, but is probably a seasonal item.  They also had printed sundress material that you could do the same thing with.  You would just have to cut it right below the smocked part and hem it before you begin following these directions.

I'd love see pictures if this inspires you to make one.  Thanks for stopping by.  Be sure to check back soon for more breastfeeding related reviews and giveaways.  :)

linked to Made By You Monday, Fabric Tuesday, Lucky Linky Tuesday, Works For Me Wednesday, Trendy Treehouse Creative Share, Its So Very Cheri, We Did It Wednesday, Making It With Allie