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It’s Selfish Sewing Week! I was thrilled to be invited to sew along and it was just the kick in the pants I needed to make myself something fabulous. Maternity clothes are SO BORING. 90% of them seem to be black and the other 10% are striped. Maybe I’m the only pregnant person ever to want some leopard in her life, I don’t know! 

As a part of SSW I received a copy of the Union St. Tee pattern from Hey June Handmadefor free but all opinions are my own! This post was originally published in 2014, I updated it in 2019.

You will want to check out these other posts while you’re here!

• 60+ nursing friendly sewing patterns
• Top 10 Best Baby Gifts To Sew
• 5 Simple Maternity Refashions

Pin this DIY ruched maternity shirt tutorial for later using this link or collage image below:

This pattern,  Union St. Tee , is not maternity but it was an easy alteration (more details below). This is a size small, in leopard knit that I got off a fabric destash site, there are some similar options here.

In retrospect, you could probably only lengthen the front bodice piece, ruche it, and then attach it to the normal length back piece. But I don’t mind the extra coverage for my back – maternity jeans have a habit of riding down so it’s comforting to have more fabric there.

I’m sure you’re thinking ‘WAIT is she seriously not due until March’! But remember, I have/had diastasis recti and was basically showing the moment the stick turned positive. I actually knew way back when in this post, when I literally couldn’t suck it all the way in.

 

I like the neckline on this pattern! I used my brand spanking new coverstitch machine* for the hem & sleeves – I need to unthread the middle needle so it looks more store-bought.

 

My only complaint is that the hem flips a little. I’m not sure if it needed to be folded up another time, or if it’s because of my belly. It would easily be fixed with an elastic casing too but I don’t think it bothers me that much! You can see what I mean in the photo above.

Update: This is the only shirt that still fits me at 38 weeks! Thank goodness I made it way back when, it’s gotten a ton of wear.

Last, but not least, outtakes for your giggling pleasure. #1 I was trying for dreamy and ended up with… I’m not sure what (what is it with the instinct to touch the stomach? As if my pregnant status isn’t obvious already). #2 I was trying to get a shot of my hem but.. only got belly. #3 was my creative stretch and it did not pan out, haha!! I am literally a bump on a log and couldn’t even get it to focus on me. Guess my camera knew best, right?

How to make a DIY ruched maternity shirt

Supplies

• clear elastic (it is much cheaper at a local sewing store!)
• Women’s fitted t-shirt pattern (I used the Union St. Tee)
• Ruler
• Tape
• Extra plain paper

Steps

Step 1: Lay your pattern pieces out and cut along the shorten/lengthen line, and use the plain paper to fill in the gap before taping and connecting the lines. I added 7″ of length at the shorten/lengthen line on the bodice pieces. Then use the pattern pieces to cut out the fabric.

Step 2: Sew the front & back bodice pieces together as normal. Cut the elastic pieces to 10″ each and sew it on to the front.

Step 3: Use a stretch stitch and sew the elastic on to the seam, stretching the elastic as you go! I started the elastic 5″ down from the armpit seam, which left 18″ of fabric along the side seam, unstretched (just in case you’re trying to figure a ratio for a bigger size). I cut off about 1″ of elastic at the end where my thumb had been holding it while I stretched. Just remember to do several backstitches at the beginning and end; then I used a 3.5″ straight stitch throughout, with my walking foot. Once you’re done, release it and watch the fabric scrunch up.

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