Replies

1. 
   carolfresia | Feb 10, 2003 06:55pm | #1

   Most of the pattern companies (Vogue, McCall's, Butterick, Simplicity, Kwik Sew) have maternity patterns that include pants. Any one that fits well will do the job, and the great news is that every maternity pants pattern I tried was incredibly quick and easy--they all had elastic waistlines, so there were very few details to work out. I think there may be some newer patterns now that call for a stretch panel in front, which may fit better. My suggestion is to cut the elastic for the waist on the long side, and either just tack it or pin it, and leave an opening in the casing somewhere. Then your daughter can adjust the elastic larger as needed. There are elegant ways to do this (including sewing the elastic in graduated loops that can be released), but I was always lazy and just left an inch of the casing unstitched--no one ever sees the waistline, anyway!

   Carol

1. 
   rjf | Feb 10, 2003 11:04pm | #2

   Good Heavens!  "Stretch Panel" is what covered your little body before you were born.        rjf

2. 
   stitchmd | Feb 10, 2003 11:07pm | #3

   Buttonhole elastic is great for this. It is half inch elastic with buttonholes woven in every inch. You sew a button to one end, or to the inside of the waistband where it won't irritate (in back works best for me), then you can add or subtract length by rebuttoning into a different hole. The excess can be tucked inside the casing, which does need to have an opening unless you want to rip out and resew for every adjustment.

1. 
   carolfresia | Feb 11, 2003 05:22pm | #4

   I never was able to find buttonhole elastic, but yes, it's perfect for this sort of thing--nicer RTW maternity clothes use it, I've noticed. Do you have a source you can recommend for it?

   I think you can buy ready-made stretch panels on the notions wall at Joann's, but my vague memory of the pattern I saw simply called for some cotton-lycra jersey fabric, which isn't hard to find and is pretty comfortable.

   My favorite "maternity" pants were actually the pull-on pants that accompany the Sewing Workshop's Kinenbi top pattern. They're pretty full on top (I wore my usual size for 9 months) but quite tapered at the ankle. The Kinenbi top itself has lots of ease and also fit me up till delivery, although I altered it slightly and used the longer front on both sides (go to http://www.sewingworkshop.com to see a picture and you'll know what I'm talking about).

   Carol 

1. 
   stitchmd | Feb 11, 2003 07:27pm | #5

   I entered "buttonhole elastic" into google and found lots of mail order sources. I haven't seen it at chain fabric stores, but have seen it at small independent stores. You could try yellow pages and calling around if you don't want to mail order.

2. 
   susanmwilson | Feb 13, 2003 03:14am | #6

   I see some nice maternity patterns in Simplicity and Burda.  Lots of the higher-end RTW maternity wear uses a stretch panel all around, or side stretch panels or an under the belly panel from cotton lycra.  Of course it's hard to see any patterns made like this!

   My main gripe with maternity pants when I was pregnant was that I found the crotches very low and because you expand so much it they were hard to fit when you are only a little pregnant!

   Depending on her style, the Burda patterns are the trendiest, then some of the Simplicity (which by the way has a super easy pattern that includes pants).  Vogue has some more sophisticated styles.  They also used to have a pattern that was a stretch knit wardrobe that was exactly like a 'belly basics' wardrobe, I don't see it in their on-line catalogue now, but it may still be in the stores.

1. 
   dovid619 | Feb 13, 2003 04:09am | #7

   Thank you to all of you who answered me....I really would like to know if anyone found any free patterns on line, besides on http://www.freepattens.com

2. 
   carolfresia | Feb 13, 2003 05:31pm | #8

   I think Kwik Sew may have that "belly basics" type of collection for stretch knits.

   Carol