Today we’re sharing 34 of the best maternity sewing patterns, including tops, dresses, jumpsuits, underwear, and outerwear, so you can create a complete maternity wardrobe for yourself or a loved one. We covered all the important information you need, such as sizing, design details, fabric recommendations, pattern formats, and skill levels required.
We also have pattern round-ups for maternity dresses & tops and maternity pants, shorts, and skirts. Button-up shirts and jersey wrap dresses are also popular choices for breastfeeding, so you might be interested in those too.
Contents list:
- Maternity tops & dresses
- Nursing tops & dresses
- Shirts
- Evening gowns & Bridesmaid dresses
- Jumpsuits
- Overalls / dungarees
- Nursing PJ’s
- Nursing hospital gowns
- Underwear – maternity panties
- Nursing bras
- Swimwear
- Cover-up kaftans for the beach
- Fleece jackets
- Maternity coats
- Nursing covers, shawls & ponchos
- Nursing & pregnancy pillow patterns
Maternity tops & dresses:
“Kielo” knit dress with long wrapped waist ties
Buy now from Named – €15-24 (approx. $16-25)
- Sizes: US 0 -34. Bust: 30” – 52 ¾” (76 – 134 cm).
- Design: Casual knit dress with batwing sleeves that extend into long waist ties. Straight cut. Round neckband finished with a facing. Skirt has a vent for movement. Sleeveless or long sleeves. Sleeveless dress is finished with bias binding. A jumpsuit version is also included. Since the dress has a wide wrap and long ties, the dress can be let out for a growing bump by tying the wrap loosely and higher over the bump. More tips can be found here.
- Fabric: A drapey but sturdy jersey with 30-50% stretch is suggested. For example, cotton, viscose or bamboo jersey, light sweater knits, French terry or Ponte.
- Format: PDF digital download in A4 / US letter sizes and A0 copyshop size. A paper version can be purchased at an additional cost. Instructions are included.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes, I think an advanced, confident beginner could enjoy sewing this pattern. Although the dress is simple in style, there are some very large pattern pieces to cut out and sewing the points and ties in accurately could also be fiddly for a complete beginner. Choose a stable knit such as a French Terry or Ponte without too much drape for an easier sew.
Nursing tops & dresses:
“Kate” slim cut nursing dress with buttoned front panel
Buy now from Koenigin Mutter – $8.65
- Sizes: EU 34 – 56. Bust: 35 ½” – 55 “ (90 – 140 cm).
- Design: Fitted knit dress with buttoned front panel for nursing access. Round neckline. Short or long raglan sleeves. Above-the-knee or knee length.
- Fabric: Lightweight knit fabrics like cotton / bamboo / rayon / viscose jersey, summer sweater knits, or tricot knits.
- Format: PDF digital download in A4 / US letter sizes and A0 copyshop size. Instructions are included.
- Suitable for beginners? No, I think this pattern would best suit an intermediate sewist. The dress has a simple silhouette but sewing the button placket on a lightweight jersey could prove tricky for a beginner. Snaps could be used instead of a button closure for an easier make.
Nursing & maternity shirts:
“Alder” sleeveless shirt dress with maternity friendly, gathered side panels
Buy now from Grainline Studio – $18
- Sizes: US 0 – 18. Bust: 32” – 44 “ (81 – 112 cm).
- Design: Sleeveless shirt dress. Bust darts. A-line shaping. Two patch pockets. Optional gathered skirt detail at the back and the sides. Classic shirt collar with a stand. Bias faced armholes. Button placket and buttonholes. To make the dress more comfortable for maternity wear, the shirt bodice can be raised to sit above the bump. The side gathers will accommodate a growing bump.
- Fabric: Light to medium weight woven fabrics silk silk charmeuse, crepe de chine, cotton shirting, poplin, chambray, sateen, lightweight to midweight denim, linen, linen blends, and flannel.
- Format: PDF digital download in A4 / US letter sizes and A0 copyshop size. Instructions are included.
- Suitable for beginners? No. The pattern level is rated intermediate. I think a beginner would struggle to sew this pattern since there are some more advanced garment sewing techniques involved. Such as, sewing a collar on a stand and sewing a button placket and buttonholes. Some previous garment making experience would be helpful, usa a stable woven fabric to make the sewing process easier.
Maternity evening gowns & bridesmaid dresses:
“Rhodes” infinity dress with customizable bodice
Download now from Mood – FREE
- Sizes: US 00 – 32. Bust: 31” – 59.5” (79 – 151 cm).
- Design: Jersey wrap dress with customisable bodice. Two long ties that can be wrapped and tied in different ways for varying levels of coverage. Optional bandeau. Elasticated waistband. Long skirt. For maternity wear, the dress can be tied over the bump for comfort allowing the elasticated skirt to hang over your tummy. For a larger bump, the bandeau could be made shorter to sit over the bump with the ties attached. This would raise the whole bodice and make it more comfortable to wear during the later stages of pregnancy.
- Fabric: Lightweight jersey knit fabric with some drape, such as viscose, rayon or bamboo jersey.
- Format: PDF digital download in A4 / US letter sizes. Instructions are included in the blog post, but they are quite sparse and vague.
- Suitable for beginners? No. The instructions included on the blog are very vague and don’t include many photos or illustrations. The dress includes some large pattern pieces which are difficult to cut and lightweight, drapey jerseys can be difficult to sew without stretching them out of shape. I think this pattern would best suit an intermediate sewist with previous experience working with slippery, stretchy knit fabrics.
“V1699” occasion dress with plunging V neckline, empire waistline, and inverted box pleat detail
Buy now from Simplicity – $32
- Sizes: US 8 – 24. Bust: 29 ½” – 48” (75 – 122 cm).
- Design: Loose fitting, lined occasion dress. Plunging V neckline. Gathered, high empire waistline. Inverted box pleat on the front of the skirt. Invisible zipper closure at the center back. In-seam pockets. Option for mid calf or maxi lengths. Option for sleeveless or gathered balloon sleeves. Since the dress is fitted at the bust and flares out into a pleated skirt it would be great for accommodating a growing bump. For a bigger bump, a larger size skirt pattern piece could be used, creating a larger center pleat and extra volume.
- Fabric: Light to medium weight woven fabrics with drape, such as crepe, viscose, rayon, silk, or linen blends.
- Format: Paper pattern with printed instruction booklet.
- Suitable for beginners? No. I think this pattern would better suit an intermediate sewist. The pattern is an involved make with some difficult techniques included such as sewing in an invisible zip and fitting the gathered empire bodice. A beginner would likely struggle with these steps particularly since the dress is made from a drapey, slippery fabric.
“V1723” loose fitting occasion dress with tied high neckline and balloon sleeves
Buy now from Simplicity – $32
- Sizes: US 8 – 24. Bust: 29 ½” – 48” (75 – 122 cm).
- Design: Very loose fitting, pullover dress. Fully lined. Stand up collar extends into ties at the back of the neck. Back slit opening. Side seam pockets. Fitted shoulders. Elbow length balloon sleeves. Since the dress is so loose fitting with no waist shaping, it will flow over the bump creating an easy, comfortable fit.
- Fabric: Light to medium weight woven fabrics with drape, such as crepe, satin, rayon challis, silk twill, or georgette.
- Format: Paper pattern with printed instruction booklet.
- Suitable for beginners? No, I think it would be helpful to have some previous garment sewing experience before sewing this pattern. The pattern includes some fiddly parts such as sewing the stand up collar, fitting the sleeves, inserting the lining, and sewing the balloon sleeves. The recommended fabrics can be difficult to work with as well.
“Madeleine” Grecian inspired maxi dress with empire bustline
Buy now from Rebecca Page – $14.50
- Sizes: 1 – 10. Bust: 31” – 54” (79 – 137 cm).
- Design: Grecian-inspired maxi dress. Scoop neckline. Front pleat detail. Faux wrap over bust detail. Options for straight or criss cross straps. Sleeveless. Maternity friendly, high empire bustline for a comfortable fit. Skirt will flow over the growing bump.
- Fabric: Light to medium weight knit fabrics with drape. For example, silky jerseys, rayon, viscose or bamboo jersey, fine knits, and Lycra blends.
- Format: PDF digital download in A4 / US letter sizes and A0 copyshop size. Instructions are included.
- Suitable for beginners? No, I think a beginner without much sewing experience might struggle with this pattern due to the amount of fabric and the large pattern pieces involved. Creating the Grecian effect could also be tricky, particularly with the drapey knit fabrics required for the dress. Some experience sewing with stretch and knit fabrics would be helpful here.
“Emma” Maxi Dress with High Halter Neckline
Buy now from Rebecca Page – $14.50
- Sizes:
- 1 – 10. Bust: 31” – 54” (79 – 137 cm).
- 6C – 15C. Bust: 44” – 76” (112 – 193 cm).
- Design: High-neck sleeveless maxi dress. Halter neckline with wide, fitted neckband. Keyhole back opening. Loose, flared skirt with A-line shape. Fully lined. As your tummy expands, the waist tie can be tied over the bump for an empire line silhouette and allowing more room over the bump. For even more room, the waist tie can be left off completely.
- Fabric: Light to medium-weight woven or knit fabric. For example, cotton blends, cotton lawn, linen, viscose, rayon or crepe, viscose, rayon, bamboo or Tencel knits.
- Format: PDF digital download in A4 / US letter sizes. Instructions are included. There’s also a bundle available here which includes a kids’ version of the dress.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes. I think this pattern would suit a confident or adventurous beginner. The style of the dress is simple with minimal fitting and a simple fastening. Adding the lining and attaching the neckband could be difficult for a complete beginner with no previous garment sewing experience.
“Audrey” versatile knit dress with style variations and maternity friendly hack
Buy now from 5 Out of 4 Patterns – $12
- Sizes: 2XS – 5XL. Bust: 31” – 58” (79 – 147 cm).
- Design: Boat neck knit dress. Three skirt options: fitted, A-line, or circle skirt. Cap, short, elbow-length, ¾, or long sleeves. Length variations with an optional ruffled tier for a mermaid dress. In-seam pockets. 7 bodice lengths to pair with the different skirts, or to sew on their own as tops. The cropped bodice would be perfect for maternity as the waist seam would sit above the bump.
- Fabric: Medium weight knit fabrics with at least 50% horizontal stretch and 25% vertical stretch are suggested. For example, French terry, ponte, sweater knits, or cotton jersey.
- Format: PDF digital download in A4 / US letter sizes and A0 copyshop size. Detailed instructions are included with links to YouTube tutorials for certain parts of the sewing process.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes, I think a beginner with some previous sewing experience would enjoy sewing some versions of this pattern. Sewing the A-line trapeze style dress would be a good place to start. The gathering involved in the maternity modification for the fitted dress could be fiddly but a confident beginner should be able to manage, especially with using a stable knit fabric.
Jumpsuits for pregnant women:
“Sallie” Simple Knit Jumpsuit with V-Neckline and Open Back
Buy now from Closet Core Patterns – $16
- Sizes: US 0 – 20. Hip: 33” – 48” (84 – 122 cm).
- Design: Full-length jumpsuit. Elasticated waist. Deep V-neckline on the front and the back. Tie at the back of the neck. Grown on cap sleeves. Wide legs. Slash pockets. For the later stages of pregnancy, the bodice can be raised/shortened to sit above the bump. Since the jumpsuit is fitted with a drawstring, the tie can be loosened as your bump expands.
- Fabric: Light to medium weight knit fabrics with at least 30% stretch and some drape, such as viscose, modal/rayon, bamboo, or Tencel jersey.
- Format: PDF digital download in A4 / US letter sizes and A0 copyshop size. Illustrated instructions are included. Tips for making this pattern maternity friendly can be found here.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes. I think a beginner with some experience sewing with knit fabrics could make this pattern. It’s a simple style with an elasticated waist, making for an easy fit. This would be a great pattern for practicing sewing knit fabrics.
Overalls / dungarees that are bump-friendly:
“Clara” versatile scoop neck overalls with maternity friendly bodice
Buy now from 5 Out of 4 Patterns – $12
- Sizes: 2XS – 5XL. Bust: 31” – 58” (79 – 147 cm).
- Design: Relaxed fit overalls with deep scoop neck. Front button placket, great for nursing access. Front and back yoke. Option for regular or maternity bodice. Three armscye side coverages, high, mid or low / maternity. Option for shorts, midi or full length pants. Option for hemmed, elastic or drawstring pants. Four patch pocket options. Buttoned straps.
- Fabric: Light to medium weight woven fabrics like cotton blends, linen blends, chambray, viscose, twill, corduroy, or denim.
- Format: PDF digital download in A4 / US letter sizes and A0 copyshop size. Projector files are included. Detailed instructions are included with links to YouTube tutorials for certain parts of the sewing process.
- Suitable for beginners? No, I think this pattern would better suit an intermediate sewist since the overalls do include some more advanced sewing techniques like sewing a button placket and attaching a yoke. Some sewing experience would be helpful for this project. Using a stable, cotton blend fabric would be a good option for making the sewing process easier.
“Burnside Bibs” with Two Fit Options and Gathered Back Detail (+ Video)
Buy now in standard and plus sizes from Sew House 7 – $16 – $21
- Sizes: US 00 – 20 and 18 – 36. Hip: 34” – 65” (86 – 165 cm).
- Design: Two views: Version 1 is more fitted with back darts and an invisible zipper. Version 2 is loose without a closure. Scooped neck or square bib options. Cross-back straps. Patch pockets on the front and back. Tie at the waist. Cropped or full-length, wide legs.
- Fabric: Light to medium weight woven fabrics. For example, Tencel, linen, wool gabardine, sandwashed silk, denim, canvas, or cotton twill.
- Format: PDF digital download in A4 / US letter sizes and A0 copyshop size. Paper versions are available for both size ranges: US 00 – 20 and US 18 – 36. An illustrated instruction booklet is included with the download. There’s also a photo sew-along here, and a video tutorial here.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes. I think Version 2 would suit a confident beginner as this version doesn’t include a tricky fastening and it’s easier to fit. Version 1 would better suit an intermediate sewist due to the invisible zipper fastening and the fitting.
Nursing PJ’s:
“S9556” nursing top, pants, and shorts
Buy now from Simplicity – $15.37
- Sizes: XS – XL. Bust: 30 ½” – 46” (78 – 117 cm).
- Design: Pull-over nursing top. Round neckline. ¾ length or short sleeves. Bodice is pleated from the neckband. Elasticated hem. Hidden nursing panel. Pull on elasticated shorts and pants with pockets.
- Fabric: Light to medium weight knit fabrics with some drape, such as bamboo, rayon, or Tencel jersey, interlock, or light French terry.
- Format: Paper pattern with printed instruction booklet.
- Suitable for beginners? No, I think a complete beginner with no previous experience sewing with knit fabrics would struggle with this pattern. Sewing the pleats into the neckband and creating the hidden nursing panel could be tricky and sewing with drapey knit fabrics would add to the challenge. Some experience and practice sewing with knit fabrics would be helpful.
“Luna” Pajama Set with tie front top
Buy now from Sew Over It – £11.50 (approx. $13)
- Sizes: UK 6 – 20 (B cup) 18 – 30 (D cup). Bust: 31” – 57” (79 – 145 cm). Hip: 34” – 60” (86 – 152 cm).
- Design: Pajama set with wrap style top and pants. The top has long sleeves and a tie closure at the waist. Pants are elasticated at the waist with no side seam.
- Fabric: Light to medium weight woven fabrics. For example, rayon, viscose, cotton lawn, cotton voile, double gauze, or linen.
- Format: PDF digital download in A4 / US letter sizes and A0 copyshop size. Optional A0 printing service. Instructions are included.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes. Suitable for a confident beginner as there are no tricky fastenings, just a tie closure for the top and elasticated waist for the pants. Some sewing experience would be helpful for the facing finish on the top.
“Cal” pajama set with tank top and shorts
Buy now from Seamwork – $16
- Sizes: US 00 – 26. Bust: 32” – 54” (81 – 137 cm). Hip: 34” – 58” (86 – 147 cm).
- Design: Casual style tank top and shorts pajama set. Top has a racer back and a scoop neckline with partial button placket and curved hemline. Shorts have an elasticated waist, a curved hem and a faux fly.
- Fabric: Light to medium weight knit fabrics with 50% stretch, such as cotton, rayon or bamboo jersey, rib knits, or thermal knits.
- Format: PDF digital download in A4 / US letter sizes and A0 copyshop size. Projector files are available. Instructions are included.
- Suitable for beginners? No. This pattern is better suited for an intermediate sewist as sewing the partial button placket and the faux fly on knit fabrics can be challenging for beginners. You can omit these details for an easier sew.
Nursing hospital gowns:
“Mother Fern” hospital gown with nursing friendly shoulder plackets
Buy now from Samantha Marie Designs – £9 (approx. $11.50)
- Sizes: XS – 2XL. Exact measurements aren’t provided.
- Design: Oversized hospital and nursing gown. Round neckline. Raglan sleeves. Top and dress length. Option for full back placket. Nursing friendly shoulder plackets. Can also be made as loungewear.
- Fabric: Light to medium weight knit fabrics, such as rib knit, cotton jersey, bamboo, rayon, Tencel jersey, or light French terry.
- Format: PDF digital download in A4 / US letter sizes and A0 copyshop size. Projector files are included. Instructions are included.
- Suitable for beginners? No, I think this pattern would best suit an advanced beginner to intermediate level sewist. The gown is a simple silhouette but creating the button plackets and buttonholes could be difficult for someone without much experience sewing with knit fabrics. To make the sewing process easier, use a stable knit and fasten the plackets with snap fastenings rather than buttons.
Adults’ hospital gown with back tie fastenings
Download now from Mood – FREE
- Sizes: US 2 – 30. Bust: 32 ½” – 58 ½” (81 – 148.5 cm).
- Design: Oversized hospital gown. Round neckline. Short, raglan sleeves. Front or back opening. Tie closures.
- Fabric: Light to medium weight woven fabrics like poplin, cotton lawn, linen, or viscose.
- Format: PDF digital download in A4 / US letter sizes. Minimal instructions are included in the blog post..
- Suitable for beginners? Yes. I think this would be a great pattern for a beginner to sew. The gown is simple in style and ties are an easy to sew fastening. Raglan sleeves are also simple to insert and a stable cotton fabric can be used which is a perfect fabric for a beginner to practice with.
Underwear – maternity panties:
“Lucky” low rise maternity friendly panties
Buy now from Rad Patterns – $8
- Sizes: 2XS – 4XL. Hip: 33” – 68” (84 – 173 cm).
- Design: Low rise panties. Option for hipster, bikini, full belly brief, cheeky, and thong styles. Maternity friendly low waistband sits under the bump for comfort as your tummy grows. Finishing options include lingerie elastic, fold-over-elastic, binding, or bands.
- Fabric: Light to medium weight knit fabrics with at least 50% vertical and horizontal stretch.For example, cotton, viscose, or bamboo jersey.
- Format: PDF digital download in A4 / US letter sizes and A0 copyshop size. Instructions are included.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes, I think the panties would be a great sewing pattern for a beginner to practice on. Panties are a quick and easy sewing project that don’t need to be perfectly sewn since they are not seen. Scraps of jersey fabrics can be used which is always a good way to practice and expand your skills without cost.
“Bum huggers” under belly maternity shorties
Buy now from Yawning Mama – $8
- Sizes: 2XS – 5XL. Hip: 37” – 67” (94 – 170 cm).
- Design: Shortie style panties. Low rise sitting under your bump for maternity and postpartum wear. One pattern piece plus waistband. Optional liner.
- Fabric: Light to medium weight knit fabrics with at least 60% horizontal stretch. For example, cotton, viscose, or bamboo jersey.
- Format: PDF digital download in A4 / US letter sizes and A0 copyshop size. Projector files are included. Instructions are included.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes, since the panties only involve one pattern piece and a waistband they are very easy to construct. Panties do not require a lot of fabric making this a great project to practice with using scrap fabrics. This would be a great pattern for a beginner wanting to learn sewing with knits.
Nursing bras:
Nursing friendly cross-front bralette
Buy now from Yawning Mama – $15
- Sizes: 2XS – 5XL. Hip: 35” – 59” (90 – 150 cm).
- Design: Classic cross-front bra. Maternity and nursing friendly. Mostly enclosed seams. Exposed waistband. Adjustable elastic straps.
- Fabric: Light to medium weight knit fabrics with horizontal and vertical stretch of at least 50%. For example, bamboo/spandex, merino wool rib knit, merino/spandex, cotton/spandex, or athletic knits.
- Format: PDF digital download in A4 / US letter sizes and A0 copyshop size. Projector files are included. Instructions are included.
- Suitable for beginners? I think this pattern would best suit an intermediate level sewist or beyond. There are some advanced techniques involved in sewing the bralette like sewing the cross over front, the darts and the straps. However, the pattern includes video tutorials to help confident beginners.
“Pumping mama” pumping bralette with sling coverage options
Buy now from Yawning Mama – $15
- Sizes: 2XS – 5XL. Hip: 35” – 59” (90 – 150 cm).
- Design: Nursing bra designed for pumping access. Option for full coverage sling or side sling. Option for exposed or enclosed seams. Option for short, wide or longline waistband. Wide, crossover, adjustable straps.
- Fabric: Light to medium weight knit fabrics with horizontal and vertical stretch of at least 50%. For example, bamboo/spandex, merino wool rib knit, merino/spandex, cotton/spandex, or athletic knits.
- Format: PDF digital download in A4 / US letter sizes and A0 copyshop size. Projector files are included. Instructions are included.
- Suitable for beginners? No, I think this pattern would best suit an intermediate level sewist or beyond. Creating the slings in the bralette would be difficult for a complete beginner without a lot of experience sewing knits. However, the download includes video tutorials to help confident beginners.
Nursing friendly wireless bra and camisole (+Video)
Buy now from Jalie – $24.96 CAD (approx. $18 USD)
- Sizes: UK 0 – 22. Hip: 31” – 50” (79 – 127 cm).
- Design: Maternity friendly wireless bra. Adjustable straps. U-shaped back. Hook and eye back closure. Light, loungewear support. A camisole pattern with a shelf bra is also included.
- Fabric: Light to medium weight knit fabrics with horizontal and vertical stretch of at least 70%. For example, bamboo/spandex, rib knit, cotton/spandex, or athletic knits.
- Format: PDF digital download in A4 / US letter sizes and A0 copyshop size. Projector files are included. Instructions are included. A video tutorial can be found here.
- Suitable for beginners? No, I think this pattern would best suit an intermediate level sewist. Sewing the different parts of the bralette can be fiddly and require some precise and accurate sewing. Jalie Patterns does offer a video tutorial which may be helpful for advanced beginners who would like to give the pattern a go.
“Nursing Mama” Bralette for Breastfeeding (+ Video)
Buy now from Yawning Mama – $15
- Sizes: Bust: 35” – 59” (89 – 150 cm). Up to 18″ (56 cm) of difference between bust and underbust is supported.
- Design: Nursing bra for breastfeeding. Two sling options, full sling or side sling. Darted cups. Short, wide, or longline waistband. All seams are enclosed. Nursing parts can be taken out when no longer necessary.
- Fabric: Lightweight stretch fabric with 50% – 70% stretch. For example, spandex blends, bamboo, merino, swimwear, or rib knit.
- Format: PDF digital download in A4 / US letter sizes and A0 copyshop size. Projector files are included. Fully illustrated instructions are included and additional video tutorials are provided for the more difficult techniques.
- Suitable for beginners? No. There are some advanced techniques involved such as sewing inseam elastic and attaching elastic straps. However, there are thorough instructions and additional video support.
Swimwear:
Classic one piece swimsuit with maternity option and style variations
Buy now from 5 Out of 4 Patterns – $12 (approx. $15)
- Sizes: 2XS – 5XL. Bust: 31” – 58” (79 – 147 cm).
- Design: Classic, tank style, one piece swimsuit. Option for jewel or scoop front neckline. Option for high, scoop or keyhole back. Option for high or low leg. Optional peplum skirt. Optional shelf bra. Options for sewn-in or removable bra cups. A full bust and maternity adjustment pattern piece areincluded.
- Fabric: Nylon or polyester lycra blend swimwear fabric with 4 way stretch is recommended. Swim lining or nylon lycra can be used for the lining. Powermesh is required for the bra.
- Format: PDF digital download in A4 / US letter sizes and A0 copyshop size. Projector files are included. Detailed instructions are included with video links for certain steps.
- Suitable for beginners? No, this pattern is better suited for intermediate sewists, since swimwear can be difficult to sew and swimwear fabric can be hard to handle. However, the pattern company does offer a swim workshop class here (available at an additional cost) for confident to advanced beginners who would like to learn how to sew their own swimwear.
“X Factor” bikini and tankini with cross back detail
Buy now from 5 Out of 4 Patterns – $12 (approx. $15)
- Sizes: 2XS – 3XL. Bust: 31” – 50” (79 – 127 cm).
- Design: Bikini, tankini, or sports bra. Option for straight or gathered tankini top, Option for maternity tankini with ruched sides to accommodate a growing bump. Option for a gathered bikini top. Option for cross back strap detail. A nursing option is included for each style. Sports style bikini top could be worn above the bump for maternity wear.
- Fabric: For swimwear, nylon or polyester lycra blend fabric with 50 % four way stretch is recommended. For sportswear, knit fabrics with 50% four way stretch can be used.
- Format: PDF digital download in A4 / US letter sizes and A0 copyshop size. Projector files are included. Detailed instructions are included with video links for certain steps.
- Suitable for beginners? No, I think this pattern would best suit a sewist with some experience sewing with knit fabrics and making swimwear. Swimwear fabrics can be slippery and tricky to sew with and sewing in elastic can also be fiddly and a beginner without much practice may struggle with these more advanced techniques. Using the swim workshop class may be helpful for mastering some of the more difficult techniques involved.
“Riptide” reversible shorties with rise variations and drawstring sides
Buy now from 5 Out of 4 Patterns – $12 (approx. $15)
- Sizes: 2XS – 3XL. Hip: 34” – 53” (86 – 135 cm).
- Design: Reversible swim shorties. Three rise options: high, mid and low / maternity. Option for drawstring ruched sides.
- Fabric: Nylon or polyester spandex blend fabric with 50% four way stretch is recommended.
- Format: PDF digital download in A4 / US letter sizes and A0 copyshop size. Projector files are included. Instructions are included.
- Suitable for beginners? No, this pattern is better suited for intermediate sewist. Although the shorts are a simple design, a beginner would struggle sewing with the recommended swimwear fabrics without practice since these can be slippery and difficult to work with. Some experience sewing with knit or swimwear fabric would be helpful here.
“Bethany” swim shorts with maternity low rise option
Buy now from 5 Out of 4 Patterns – $12 (approx. $15)
- Sizes: 2XS – 5XL. Hip: 33” – 61” (84 – 155 cm).
- Design: Slim fit swim shorts. Optional brief liner. Maternity friendly low rise option (high and mid also available). Four inseam lengths included. Overlapped, bias bound legs. Wide waistband. Optional drawstring.
- Fabric: Nylon or polyester spandex blend fabric with 50% four way stretch is recommended.
- Format: PDF digital download in A4 / US letter sizes and A0 copyshop size. Projector files are included. Instructions are included.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes, I think an advanced beginner with some experience sewing with knit fabrics could enjoy sewing this pattern. These shorts are less fitted than standard swim bottoms making them easier to sew. Some sewing experience would be helpful for sewing the bias bound leg finishes as this step can be fiddly.
Cover-up kaftans for the beach:
“Charlie” V-neck caftan dress
Buy now from Closet Core – $16-20
- Sizes: US 0 – 20 and 14 – 32. Bust: 31” – 60” (79 – 152.5 cm).
- Design: Relaxed, pull-on kaftan style dress. Deep V-neck and dolman sleeves. Three style and length options. Optional waist ties. Optional pleat or gathering detail at the waist. Side slits. Since the kaftan is a loose fit it can be worn during pregnancy with the fitted part of the bodice sitting above the bump. The kaftan can be tied at the back to give a more fitted look with the ties let out as your tummy grows. If making in the later stages of pregnancy sizing up may be helpful.
- Fabric needed: Light to medium weight wovens such as linen, chambray, tencel, linen, silk, chiffon, rayon challis, crepe de chine, batiste and voile.
- Format: PDF digital download in A4 / US letter sizes and A0 / US copyshop sizes. There’s also a paper version available for sizes 0 – 20. Illustrated instructions are included with the pattern. Additional helpful resources are available here, and maternity photos can be found here.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes. Suitable for an advanced beginner as there are no tricky fastenings or sleeves to insert. A simpler view can make the process easier.
Fleece jackets:
“Ascent” fleece quarter-zip pullover with zippered nursing panels
Buy now from 5 Out of 4 Patterns – $12 (approx. $15)
- Sizes: 2XS – 3XL. Bust: 31” – 50” (79 – 127 cm).
- Design: Nursing friendly, relaxed-fit quarter-zip pullover. Optional contrast panel and sleeves. Stand up collar. Optional on seam pockets with zippers. Invisible zippers in seams for easy nursing access.
- Fabric: Medium to heavy weight knit or fleece fabric. For example, fleece, wellsoft, sherpa, sweatshirting fabric, or sweater knits.
- Format: PDF digital download in A4 / US letter sizes and A0 copyshop size. Projector files are included. Instructions are included with video links for some steps.
- Suitable for beginners? No, I think this pattern would best suit a sewist with plenty of experience. A beginner would likely struggle with inserting the invisible zips since these can be tricky to sew accurately and neatly especially in small areas, as well as sewing the exposed quarter-zip.
“B6301” convertible maternity vest with nursing access
Buy now from Simplicity – $19.95
- Sizes: US 8 – 24. Bust: 31 ½” – 46” (80 – 117 cm).
- Design: Convertible fleece jacket. Semi fitted. Fully lined. Front princess seams. Zip opens into a baby carrier for nursing access. Patch pockets with flaps. Elasticized panel. Exposed zippers. Self belt. Options for stand up collar or hood. Options for sleeveless or long sleeves.
- Fabric: Medium to heavy weight knit or fleece fabric, such as fleece, wool blends, and stable knits.
- Format: PDF digital download in A4 / US letter sizes and A0 copyshop size. Projector files are included. Instructions are included.
- Suitable for beginners? No, the design of this jacket is complicated, involving lots of panels and zippers which can be difficult to sew into the heavyweight fabrics that are required. Some previous garment sewing experience would also be helpful for sewing the stand up collar or hood.
Maternity coats:
“B6917” button front coat with stand collar
Buy now from Simplicity – $19.95
- Sizes: US 4 – 20. Bust: 29 ½” – 42” (75 – 107 cm).
- Design: Button front, wrap coat. Fully lined. Three length variations: short, midi, or full length. Stand collar. Shoulder pleats. Side pockets. Back darts for shaping. Centre back seam. Optional belt. Optional two or four button fastening. Optional turn back cuffs. For maternity wear, you might want to consider raising the bodice to sit above the bump. To allow for more room to accommodate a growing tummy, version B would be the best option, buttoning over the bump. If necessary, the skirt part of the coat could be cut with a graded out A line shape from the waist to give more room.
- Fabric: Medium to heavy weight woven coating fabrics, such as wool, tweed, gabardine, velvet, or denim. Lightweight woven fabric for the lining.
- Format: PDF digital download in A4 / US letter sizes and A0 copyshop size. A paper version can also be purchased here. Instructions are included with both versions.
- Suitable for beginners? No, a beginner would likely struggle with sewing this coat since there are some advanced techniques involved such as sewing a collar and fitting a lining. Sewing with heavy weight coating fabric can also be difficult. Some previous garment making experience would be an advantage.
“V9288” high collared cape with pockets, optional belt and length variations
Buy now from Simplicity – $27.50
- Sizes: XS – 2XL. Bust: 30 ½” – 46” (78 – 117 cm).
- Design: Unlined cape. High collar. Raglan shoulders / front panel with button closure. Optional belt. Rounded patch pockets. Options for short, midi or full length. Cape can be tied over the bump or left open to flow over your growing tummy.
- Fabric: Medium to heavy weight woven fabrics with good drape, such as wool or cashmere coating, fleece, velvet, or denim.
- Format: Paper pattern with printed instruction booklet.
- Suitable for beginners? No. This pattern would better suit an intermediate sewist with some previous garment sewing experience. The cape includes some tricky techniques, such as sewing in a high collar, making buttonholes and working with thick coating fabrics that require experience and patience.
Nursing covers, shawls & ponchos:
Nursing cover with neck strap and bonin
Make now from Diary of a Quilter – FREE
- Sizes: One size.
- Design: Rectangular nursing cover with a neck strap. D rings for adjustment. Boning to allow space for looking at the baby. Foldable for easy carrying.
- Fabric: Light to medium weight woven fabric. For example, cotton blends, cotton poplin, linen. Keep in mind that the fabric will need to be breathable and opaque as the cover is worn for privacy.
- Format: Instructions for measuring and cutting your fabric are included in the blog post.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes, I think this would be a great pattern for a beginner with a little previous sewing experience. The nursing cover is made up of straight seams and the pattern uses a stable fabric, which is easy to work with. Take your time pressing and sewing the neck straps as these can be fiddly to sew accurately.
Easy, multi purpose nursing cover (+ Video)
Download now from Jennie Masterson with video tutorial – FREE
- Sizes: One size.
- Design: Tubular, knit nursing cover. Top and bottom hems. Can also be used as a car seat cover or a shopping cart seat cover.
- Fabric: Lightweight knit fabric like cotton or rayon spandex. Keep in mind that your fabric should be breathable to stop the baby from overheating. Polyester knits should be avoided.
- Format: PDF digital download in A4 / US letter sizes. Photo illustrated instructions are included in the blog post. A video tutorial is also available here.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes, I think this would be a great pattern for a beginner wanting to practice sewing with knit and jersey fabric. The nursing cover has a very simple design with minimal sewing involved.
Large, full coverage, nursing shawl
Buy now from Mama Can Do It – $5.50
- Sizes: One size fits all from XS to 3XL.
- Design: Oversized nursing shawl. One seam. Pull on style. Can be worn as a poncho after you’re done with nursing.
- Fabric: Lightweight knit fabric like cotton jersey, French terry or rayon spandex. Keep in mind that your fabric should be breathable to stop the baby from overheating. Polyester knits should be avoided.
- Format: PDF digital download in A4 / US letter sizes. Instructions are included in the download.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes. This shawl is a very easy project to sew involving just one seam, making it perfect for beginners wanting some sewing practice particularly with knit fabrics. Choose a cotton blend jersey knit if you don’t have a lot of experience as these have less drape and can be easier to sew.
Nursing & pregnancy pillow patterns:
“Poppy” C-shaped baby and nursing pillow with slip cover
Download now from Made by Marzipan with video tutorial – FREE
- Sizes: One size.
- Design: C-shaped baby pillow. Suitable for nursing. The pattern for the removable slip cover can be downloaded here.
- Fabric: Medium weight woven fabrics like cotton poplin, cotton lawn, quilting cotton, or linen. You can recycle old sheets or duvet covers to save on cost.
- Format: PDF digital download in A4 / US letter sizes. Instructions are included on the blog post. A YouTube video tutorial is also available here.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes. I think this pattern would be great for a confident beginner with a little sewing experience. The pillow is easy to sew but does include some curved seams so take your time with those.
Pregnancy pillow with back and front support
Read tutorial now on Art Gallery Fabrics – FREE
- Sizes: One size.
- Design: Large pregnancy pillow. Curved back and front bump support. Curved bottom sections for hip and leg support.
- Fabric: Medium weight woven fabrics like cotton poplin, cotton lawn, quilting cotton, or linen. You can recycle old sheets or duvet covers to save on cost.
- Format: Instructions for how to cut and sew your pattern pieces are included on the blog.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes, I think this tutorial would suit a confident beginner with a bit of sewing experience. The pillow is large and the tutorial involves measuring and drafting your own pattern pieces which a complete beginner might struggle with. The pillow also involves sewing in a zip which can be tricky. The instructions are also vague and involve minimal photos or illustrations so some previous experience may be assumed. However, this is a pillow so it does not need to be perfect or even exactly the same as the designer’s finished version. Using old fabrics would be a great way to play around and create something that works well for you.
What to read next:
- 32 Maternity & Nursing Dress & Top Sewing Patterns (4 FREE)
- 16 Maternity Pants, Shorts & Skirt Sewing Patterns (7 FREE)
- 29 Shirt Sewing Patterns for Women & Men (8 FREE!)
- 36 Sewing Patterns for Wrap Dresses (11 FREE PDF’s!)
- 36 FREE Printable Sewing Patterns for Kids, Babies & Toddlers
This article was written by Sally Gauntlett, and edited by Nisan Aktürk.
Sally Gauntlett (author)
Sally started sewing as a child. In 2008, she started a handmade business selling personalized gifts and homeware. She then became a sewing content creator, sharing her makes on Youtube and Instagram. Read more…