Restyled Maternity Shirt- Joining the Bandwagon

I am joining the bandwagon and revamping an existing shirt. Today at my MOPS Open House we were all asked to wear red shirts. Not sure why, but I don't own one (in my regular non-maternity clothes.) So I went digging through my maternity clothes and found an old, so last decade (2004) maternity shirt.

Nothing really wrong with it, but back then I use to think the larger the better.


See what I mean....I could fit 2 of me in this thing. I did gain 41lbs with each of my previous pregnancies but I don't think I ever filled out this shirt. PLUS, I hated the collar


(sorry, I couldn't rotate) the interfacing always popped out and the collar always stuck up (see above picture)


Here is my new Restyled Maternity shirt. LOVE IT!!


Here is what I did. I cut the collar and the interfacing off. Easy enough


Then I pinned under 1/4" of material and sewed all around. (again, sorry for the picture)


On the sides I took in approximately 3/4" or 1.5" total tapering smaller as I approached the arm hole. (I hate tightness around my armpit) Then I trimmed with a rotary cutter.


First cut the manufacturers seam allowance, then cut close to allow for a new seam allowance



Once I finished trimming the sides I had 4 strips. Even out to one width.

I sewed them all together. Put a gathering stitch in the center, gathering all 4 strips until it lined up with the of the front of the neckline and sewed all the way around (including the back for more stability)

Here is my new neckline!! So much better then the old frumpy collar. Plus it fits so much better and I don't feel so outdated!

Here is the shirt again and me at 18 weeks. I also hemmed it up by turning up the hem 1 time and sewing two stitch hem at the bottom (looks more professional that way)

There you go. My new restyled Maternity Shirt. Total cost - $0