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A DIY maternity belly band is a simple sewing project that can help make some pre-pregnancy clothes more comfortable during pregnancy. Made with stretchy jersey fabric, the band sits over an open waistband and helps cover the button or zipper area. With basic sewing skills and a sewing machine, you can make one in a color or pattern that suits your wardrobe.
How to Make a DIY Maternity Belly Band
Gather the materials and take your measurements before cutting the fabric. Jersey has stretch, so the band should fit comfortably without feeling too tight. If you are unsure about the fit, pin the fabric and check it around your hips before sewing the final seam.
Supplies
- 1 yard of jersey fabric
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
- Sewing machine
Cut and sew the band
- Measure around the fullest part of your hips. Cut a strip of fabric to that measurement minus 1 inch. Make the strip 10 inches high; for a wider band, you can make it 20 inches high.
- Fold the strip in half lengthwise with the outside of the fabric facing in. Sew along the long edge using a zigzag stitch, which allows the seam to stretch with the jersey.
- Turn the fabric tube right side out.
- Bring the two ends together. Pin the inside seams first, then continue pinning around the edges until roughly three-quarters of the opening is pinned. Sew that section together, leaving the rest open so you can turn the band right side out.
- Turn the ends right side out and hand-stitch the remaining small opening closed.
If joining the ends this way feels difficult, fold both ends toward the inside of the band and sew them together with a straight stitch. This simpler finish may look less tidy on the inside, but it still creates a wearable band.
Ways to Wear a Maternity Belly Band
Wear the band over the waistband of unbuttoned pre-pregnancy jeans or other trousers to cover the open button or zipper area. It can also provide extra coverage when a top no longer reaches as far over the belly. Choose a fabric that feels comfortable against your skin, and adjust the width to suit the coverage you prefer.
Check that the band stays in place and does not feel restrictive when sitting, standing, or moving. Because jersey fabrics vary in stretch, the finished fit can differ; try the band on before wearing it for an extended period and make adjustments if needed.
Fit Notes
Stacy is shown wearing the band at 25 weeks of pregnancy. The project was presented as a piece that could continue to be worn into the third trimester. Fit and comfort can vary from person to person, so use the measurements as a starting point and prioritize a comfortable fit.
Project by Elsie.
A DIY maternity belly band is a practical sewing project for adding coverage to familiar clothes. Use the hip measurement, the suggested 10-inch or 20-inch height, and a stretch-friendly zigzag seam to create a band suited to your wardrobe.
