The Conservatory: Maternity Wear 5

We're half-way through, now at #5 of the maternity clothing re-makes of 10 promised. This time it's a men's size large dress shirt from Goodwill. I'd love to have used one of my hubby's, but none were available. Needless to say, there was plenty of room to grow here. But no room for sexiness. And we just can't have that.

Just after completing Maternity Wear #4, I found the DIY Maternity website by Megan Nielsen. What a kindred spirit! Only she's a real clothing designer with real clothes and patterns for sale. I took her tutorial for turning a men's button-down shirt into a maternity shirt and made a few changes to her design.

I shortened the sleeves and re-attached the cuffs below my elbow just as she did. But I also took about 2" off the sides of the bodice and 1.5" off the sleeves, since a men's large is humongous on me. I found that was too much to allow for my belly, so I added the 2" back to the sides, but only under the bust line. I then zig-zagged the raw edges so they won't unravel in the wash and added a strip of 1/3" elastic just around the inside of the bust line (just as Megan did).

Sorry for another blurry photo. As you can see, it now fits more like a tunic than a shirt and has plenty of room for a growing belly. I like that it still is a button-down, which may make it a fine nursing top as well (especially with the post-preggo belly to hide).

Here's the back. I think this is the classiest, most versatile thing I've made yet - and I dare you to find a good-fitting, comfortable button-down collared maternity tunic for $5!