If you are reading this post, I am pretty sure I can say, “Congratulations on being pregnant!” Being pregnant is fun and hard, sweet and uncomfortable, and a myriad of other things. One thing I found particularly challenging while being pregnant was not only how to dress my changing silhouette, but also how to do so without breaking the bank. It is hard enough to find chic maternity clothes, but it is a whole other story to find them at the same price point you normally shop.
Thankfully, that’s where these wonderful DIY maternity pants come in! They can be made for as little as $20-30 (compare that to at least $60 maternity pants) depending on what you have on hand and where you purchase your pants and band. But I’m getting a little ahead of myself… First, let’s lay out what you are going to need.
1. A pair of pants
***Note: When buying your maternity jeans, here’s a good rule of thumb to make sure they fit comfortably: They should be able to button up (and zip up) while you are pregnant. So whether you are going to buy new jeans or are re-purposing old pants, make sure they fit while pregnant. It’s also a good idea to get a blend with some stretch to them (aka a spandex blend).
2. Fabric scissors
3. Thread that matches the color of the pants
***Note: If you can’t find the exact color, err on the side of darker, rather than lighter.
4. Pins
5. A Bella Band or something similar
***Note: I found mine at Target for about $17. On choice of color, it is up to you. I chose the “nude” variation so I could wear any shirt (a black band will show through thinner or lighter colored tops).
Making Your Maternity Pants
After you have assembled your supplies, the first thing you are going to do to your pants is remove the zipper.
So first, snip above the top of the zipper (1) and then continue down the side (2). (Please excuse the blurry picture.) You could use a seam ripper for this part, but cutting is just as effective and is quite a bit faster.
After the zipper is removed, you need to sew the zipper flap shut so the pants look normal and don’t gap open when you sit.
To make it less noticeable that the flap has been sewn shut, try to sew right on top of the existing stitch line that made up the flap (3 & 4). As an option, you can also sew along the other stitch line to make sure the inside part of the flap lays flat at all times against you as well. This is not necessary, but it might make the pants more comfortable for you.
The next step is to remove the waist band.
First, cut the belt loops off at the top (5) so they stay attached to the pants, and then remove the waist band as close to the edge as you can manage (6). Try not to cut off too much of the actual pant as this will not only take away details, but also make it harder in the end to hide the maternity band after it is attached.
Now we need to attach the maternity/Bella band to the pants.
While it’s not rocket science to pin the band to the pants, there are a couple of tips that might make your life easier. First, there is a top and a bottom to a maternity band. The thicker hem should be the top and the smaller hem will be the side that is attached to the pants (7). Put the band on the pants with the right sides together (the inside of the band should be facing you). I centered the band by matching up the care information printed on the back of the band to the rear belt buckle (8).
Finally, it is time to pin the maternity/Bella band to the pants.
To ensure an even stretch, pin the back first. Then match up the sides and front as close as you can, and remember to stretch the band to the size of the pants when you do this. It can be challenging, but take your time so you can make sure there will be a even stretch when the pants are worn.
When you sew the band to the pants you have two options. You can sew along the hem line as seen in step 10 or you can sew as little as a 1/2 inch seam allowance. It just depends on your sewing skills and confidence. Just like when you pinned the band on, remember to stretch it to the size of the pants as you sew. You can also do a slight zig-zag stitch for some extra give, just in case.
After you are done sewing and remove the pins, congratulations are in order! You have now created your very own pair of maternity pants for a fraction of the cost. And the great thing is, you are no longer limited to what is in the stores as you now know how to convert practically any pair pants.
If you have any questions about supplies or techniques, just post in the comments below or on Facebook. Also, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram (@Trendkin)!
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