I couldn't decide which category this belonged under so I hope this one fits.

I want to make some nursing dresses and/or tops for a friend.

Do any of you know where I can find some patterns?

Do you happen to have any patterns of this sort lying about that you don't need anymore?

I appreciate any and all responses. Thank You, LBD

-- Lavender Blue Dilly (lavenderbluedilly@hotmail.com), July 16, 2001

Answers

I'm nursing my sixth baby, and I've come to the conclusion that the best outfits for nursing are the two piece shirt and top combos. Just pull out the top, then tuck it back in. It's fairly discreet. However, when I had my first baby, I did modify some non-nursing patterns for nursing. Look for dress pattens with really loose fitting tops that have three pieces in them in front. Or those that have seams that go over the breast area - I forget what that style is called, but it's fairly form fitting. Put zippers where these seams cover the breasts and you have instant nursing openings. It might be hard to find dress patterns that fit this description, but maybe you could use your imagination when looking at the pattern books. Hope this helps.

-- Christina (introibo2000@yahoo.com), July 16, 2001.

Gosh, wouldn't you think someone would have those by now? How many years of women been nursing -- 20 million years now? If someone is good at pattern making they could probably make good buck at designing these as a cottage industry!

-- Karen (db0421@yahoo.com), July 16, 2001.

Heres a website that has what you are looking for. http://www.modestpatterns.com. Click on the friends patterns. There are others under one of the other headings but they arent ready for ordering. Blessings Peggy

-- peggy (peggyan2@msn.com), July 16, 2001.

There are some wonderful patterns for nursing tops, called Elizabeth Lee Designs. I sold some on eBay a few months ago but may have a few left--I'll check. She has a website; I think it's just elizabethleedesigns.com--I don't have it bookmarked. The patterns are $9.95 each but if you buy four you get the fifth free. Plus you can sell them when you're through if you trace your patterns instead of cutting them out. Hope this helps.

-- Elizabeth in E TX (kimprice@peoplescom.net), July 16, 2001.

blue, also take a look at motherwear, they have a web addy & a free catalogue. the clothes are medium diff. to copy, or give you ideas on how to modify your 'normal' clothes. i was able to open seams on two fav. dresses, & add an underflap to a fav. shirt after looking at the catalogue pics.

-- bj pepper (pepper.pepper@excite.com), July 16, 2001.

I, too, would vouch for Elizabeth Lee Designs. The website for this company is www.elizabethlee.com. I have several of her patterns and have found them to be stylish and easy to sew. I have found the sewing directions easy to follow. I am expecting baby #2 and have pulled my patterns back out. Some of the patterns have "Maternity Magic" helps for altering the pattern for when you are expecting. I plan to do just that as I can wear them while I'm expecting and postpartum. Later on I can always take up the side seam for when I lose the extra weight. For me, special nursing clothes made me feel comfortable nursing in front of my family and out in public. Elizabeth Lee also has a pattern for a baby sling. The slings can cost as much as $40 ready made and they are so easy to make at a fraction of that cost. I found mine indispensable in carrying a heavy baby around.

-- Mel Carroll (frank.a.carroll@worldnet.att.net), July 17, 2001.

Thank you all for your responses.

I will check into the sites mentioned and get back to you who have made offers. Short on time right now but will have a little more latter.

-- Lavender Blue Dilly, Maryland (lavenderbluedilly@hotmail.com), July 18, 2001.

Lavender, I was raised Mennonite, and women wore "cape dresses." I think it is the most modest pattern out there for nursing. It is a simple dress made with a waistline, and a peice is cut to fit over the bodice down the front from the shoulders to the waist. To cut it out, you just fold the pattern of the bodice from the shoulders straight down, and allow enough extra width for hemming the sides. Make a cape peice for the back also. Use it as a neck facing, only sew it in the opposite way, so that when the cape is outside, the neck seam is finished. Sew the bottom of the cape into the waist of the dress along with the bodice.

For nursing, under the cape, split the bodice down to the waist, and put a zipper in. When nursing, just reach under the bodice, unzip, and slip the dress open far enough to allow baby access. If the cape is made loosely, it can fall slightly over baby's face.

-- daffodyllady (daffodyllady@yahoo.com), July 19, 2001.

I sent for and recieved a catalog from Elizabeth Lee Designs. The patterns look very nice and I hope to be able to get some.

I think I would like to try altering a pattern myself but it would be a major creative challenge to me because I've pretty much always gone by the directions when sewing.

About putting in zippers where there were not any planned....do you cut the bodice pattern and allow for the seam? How do you just cut the fabric and insert a zipper without taking up some of the fabric for the new seam? What is your method of putting in a zipper? The one I've liked best is to stitch the seam in a basting stitch on the machine and then attach the zipper and open out the seam. Do "hidden" zippers work better?

Has this become another thread????

Thanks to all.

-- LBD, in Maryland (lavenderbluedilly@hotmail.com), July 24, 2001.