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Cici
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| Posted: Jan 02 2007 at 8:10pm | IP Logged
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What is your favorite sewing pattern for nursing tops? I don't think I'll be able to "hide out" at home as much this time around and would really like to sew a few tops (to match a few skirts I'm making...hahaha!).
Seriously, though, I don't like the clinginess of Motherhood maternity stuff (or how it wears, for that matter - even for 9.99). BUT some of the patterns I've seen for tops seem a little - square, or TOO modest - am I making sense? I just want to be able to throw a shirt on, and look normal (I really have thing against tops with white triangles going down my front side), and be able to nurse my ds discreetly.
Am I asking too much?
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MicheleQ
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| Posted: Jan 03 2007 at 8:42am | IP Logged
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Cici wrote:
What is your favorite sewing pattern for nursing tops? I don't think I'll be able to "hide out" at home as much this time around and would really like to sew a few tops (to match a few skirts I'm making...hahaha!).
Seriously, though, I don't like the clinginess of Motherhood maternity stuff (or how it wears, for that matter - even for 9.99). BUT some of the patterns I've seen for tops seem a little - square, or TOO modest - am I making sense? I just want to be able to throw a shirt on, and look normal (I really have thing against tops with white triangles going down my front side), and be able to nurse my ds discreetly.
Am I asking too much? |
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Cici,
You aren't asking too much but you might need to be willing to adapt some patterns a bit.
The latest in nursing patterns is Blessed Designs and of course there's the old standby of Elizabeth Lee Designs. These are good patterns but most have a lot of ease so always measure your pattern and do a test garment first for fit
The regular pattern companies don't have many nursing patterns and what they do have frankly isn't very good. I tend to either adapt or design my own.
Also, you might want to consider joining the nursing mothers sewing list It's secular list but really a great group of women and a wealth of information on sewing nursing clothes. BUT it's a lot of mail (I'm no mail there right now) and not always on topic.
I don't know how helpful that was but I'm about to start making more nursing clothes myself so we can chat about it as we go along.
God bless,
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Michele Quigley
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Cici
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| Posted: Jan 03 2007 at 9:09am | IP Logged
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Thanks Michele. I do belong to NMSL - I just never post. And I've seen Elizabeth Lee Designs - it's just that my sewing skills are so great that I trust myself to be able to adapt/design a pattern. That said, I guess there's no time like the present to learn. 
Christine
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nissag
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I know what you mean Cici.
I don't like most of the commercial patterns. I happen to really like the Elizabeth Lee patterns. The photos may be a little outdated, but the styles are absolutely classic! Change some of the louder prints with a more modern one, or a solid... Choose different fabrics - a corduroy, doe suede, linen blend... I despise shoulder pads, so I'd modify the pattern to adjust the shoulder length and slope to fit better without the pads. Sleeve shapes are actually quite easy to change, so long as the head of the sleeve remains the same.
Necklines are equally easy to change - like the deep "v" neck could be brought up for a scoop, crew, or square... I don't love the belted look for myself, so I might change the fit to flatter my shape.
One of the best tricks I learned from other nursing mamas was to wear a nursing tank with a cute button-down shirt over top. You unbutton from the bottom and that helps keep you modest. It works in a pinch. Lace ponchos (super light-weight ones) make beautiful cover ups and you don't have to worry about a shawl/blanket slipping off your shoulder.
The real question for me is what to do about Papas in the cry room when you're trying to nurse a wiggly infant and chase down a rambunctious toddler... 
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Dawnie
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I just looked at the Blessed Designs website...anyone tried the crop nursing shirt/dress pattern? I love nursing dresses in that style, but I want to see a review of the pattern before I spend money on it!
Dawn
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MicheleQ
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| Posted: Jan 05 2007 at 8:43am | IP Logged
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Dawnie wrote:
I just looked at the Blessed Designs website...anyone tried the crop nursing shirt/dress pattern? I love nursing dresses in that style, but I want to see a review of the pattern before I spend money on it!
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Dawn,
I haven't used the pattern so I can't say firsthand, but I HAVE heard good things about it. Have you checked Pattern Review?
God bless!
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Michele Quigley
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MicheleQ
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| Posted: Jan 08 2007 at 9:54am | IP Logged
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nissag wrote:
| I don't like most of the commercial patterns. I happen to really like the Elizabeth Lee patterns. The photos may be a little outdated, but the styles are absolutely classic! |
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I agree, the ELD patterns are great but if someone is used to using commercial patterns they WILL find a difference when they go to use these so I always warn people first.
Quote:
| One of the best tricks I learned from other nursing mamas was to wear a nursing tank with a cute button-down shirt over top. You unbutton from the bottom and that helps keep you modest. It works in a pinch |
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Or wear a tank under any top and cut slits in the tank so your tummy is covered when you lift your top to nurse. I cound several cami/tanks a K-Mart on clearance (for $3.00) and bought them specifically to do this. Actually I'm wearing one today (like you needed to know that).
Another trick is to buy 2 knit tops and make them into one nursing top. There's several ways to do this. I bought 2 tops at K-mart yesterday that were 50% off and am going to make one this way. I'll take pictures when I do so you can see what I mean. This is a great time to do this because all the winter stuff is going on clearance!
God bless,
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Michele Quigley
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Cici
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| Posted: Jan 09 2007 at 9:08pm | IP Logged
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MicheleQ wrote:
I agree, the ELD patterns are great but if someone is used to using commercial patterns they WILL find a difference when they go to use these so I always warn people first. |
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&nbs p; &nbs p; &nbs p;
What is the difference? Dangerously different? More difficult? I like really like the Blessed Designs designs, too, and one reviewer at PR seems to think they are easy enough. But, I may just have to make a trip to Kmart soon (if I can find any open around here anymore).
[quote = MicheleQ]
Or wear a tank under any top and cut slits in the tank so your tummy is covered when you lift your top to nurse. [/quote]
I never thought of that before...
[quote = MicheleQ]
Another trick is to buy 2 knit tops and make them into one nursing top. There's several ways to do this. I bought 2 tops at K-mart yesterday that were 50% off and am going to make one this way.[/QUOTE]
You are too kind, and too generous Michele. I'm definitely going to try this one, too.
Wow! This time around I might actually have more than the rotating 2 or 3 tops I had with my other two.   I couldn't find anything so, with each of them, I had found one shirt in two different colors I liked. They were VERY worn when I was through with them. But, like I said, I couldn't find any tops I liked (in the price range I was willing to pay) and I hadn't even thought of sewing...
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MicheleQ
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Cici wrote:
| What is the difference? Dangerously different? More difficult? |
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No not more difficult (they're actually better than regular store bought patterns imo) but the ease is always an issue for me. In store bought patterns my sizing is pretty accurate (with tweaking of course) but in the ELD i have to go much smaller or they are too big. But knowing this means you can start out that way and get a good result. Bu I would urge you to make a dummy first - it's worth it!
MicheleQ wrote:
Another trick is to buy 2 knit tops and make them into one nursing top. There's several ways to do this. I bought 2 tops at K-mart yesterday that were 50% off and am going to make one this way. |
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Cici wrote:
You are too kind, and too generous Michele. I'm definitely going to try this one, too. |
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Oh good! I think you'll be pleased.
FYI I hit the clearance rack at Kohl's yesterday (on my way to buy new running shoes) and found several good bargains on tops that are nursing adaptable. All are wrap tops and these are so easy to put a tank/cami under with slit cut along the sides (I like mine close to the sides seams) and wear for easy nursing access. I found a lovely white top that came with a half cami already sewn in so the "fix" will be a cinch. I'm going to wear it for Maria's baptism this Sunday. After the clearance discount it was $7. I also got a lovely black sweater wrap top and a chocolate brown in a stretchy slinky type fabric. All totaled they were under $30!
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Michele Quigley
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4Real Forums : Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry
Topic: Nursing patterns
