Christina here, just wanted to welcome Janda, the author of the guest post on converting a regular bra to a nursing bra, to our writing team.
I have a tall toddler and she is skinny. Whenever I buy her trousers, I look for long ones first. Then, sometimes I am lucky enough to find in some stores the ones with adjustable waistbands. But unfortunately not all brands has this. Some brands do incorporate the idea, but the elastic is too loose or soft. When I can, I simply pull the elastic out and replace it with a better quality. To make a waistband adjustable is more than possible though. Here’s how:
You will need:
- A pair of trousers
- A piece of 2.5cm wide bias binding*, cotton tape** or ribbon*** the same length as width of trousers waistband. I used homemade bias binding.
- A piece of elastic with buttonholes**** the same length as the width of the trousers waistband – these normally come in about 18mm width and is available from craft stores. If the elastic is wider, make sure the ribbon is at least 5mm wider.
- 2x 1.5cm diameter buttons. (flat ones)
- Sewing thread and needle
- Pins
- A large safety pin
How to:
- Stretch the waistband of the trousers, if it is already elasticated, over something sturdy. An ironing board works well.
- Fold the one end of the ribbon o/a 5mm over and fold it over again. I always use a double thread to ensure strength. Sew the ribbon (o/a) in place so it doesn’t fray later.
- Start pinning the ribbon (o/a) to the inside of the waistband from about 7cm from the front and around the back until you reach about 7cm from the other end of the waistband.
- Fold the other end of the ribbon (o/a) 5mm over and fold it over again. Sew this in place. Be careful not to sew it to the trousers.
- Sew the one long side of the ribbon (o/a) to the top of the waistband with small overhand stitches. Take care to finish ends securely with at least 4 stitches over each other and that stitches doesn’t show on right side.
- Make sure the ribbon lay smooth over the waistband and sew the other long side of the ribbon to the waistband. Again, take great care to finish beginning and end securely. Remove all pins.
- Sew a button to the waistband just next to the ribbon’s ends.
- Fold the end of the elastic over same as ribbon and finish.
- Sew this end of elastic securely to inside of waistband about 4cm away from centre front.
- Attach safety pin to other end of elastic and push through sleeve made with ribbon. Let the elastic lay loosely and flat in sleeve. Make sure there are no twists in elastic.
- Cut excess elastic off about 4cm beyond end of sleeve.
- Fold the end of the elastic over same as ribbon and finish
- Sew this end of elastic securely to inside of waistband closer 4cm away from centre front.
- Sew the elastic through the ribbon to the centre back of the waistband with a couple of stitches. This keep elastic from twisting
It is now possible to pull the elastic as tight as needed and button in place so the trousers don’t fall down any more.
If you have access to a sewing machine, you could do some of the work with it, but this isn’t a big job and can look less visible if done by hand. A nice little job to do after little ones go to bed.
* Fabric cut on a 45 degree against the straight edges of woven fabric. Long edges folded over 5mm and ironed in place
** Woven cotton band with self-finished long edges
*** Satin ribbon – take care that it is soft and not too thick so it interfere with the work of the elastic
**** Elastic with button holes is generally available from good craft stores. This can be imitated by stretching two lengths of 8mmwide elastic next to each other and sewing them together so they don’t overlap. Sew 3cm and finish well. Leave a gap of 2cm to use as a button hole, then sew together again – finishing beginning and end securely.
{ 1 trackback }
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Janda, you rock! These hacks are great.
Janda - Such a great, detailed description! I need to make my mom read this blog now so she has sewing inspiration for her dear grandchild! I may try the bra conversion while in the States. I’ll let you know how it goes.