DIY Maternity Belly Band

Seen those maternity belly bands lately, the ones made out of stretchy materials that help you stay in your pre-pregnancy clothes longer and get by without buying a lot of casual maternity clothes? You know, the ones that cost $25 apiece? Ever thought you could make that yourself? YOU CAN! And you don't even have to buy anything special to do it if you already have an old stretchy t-shirt in white or black that you don't mind sacrificing for the cause.

Here's how:



1) Start with an old, stretchy t-shirt. I used a GAP stretch, fitted/baby t-shirt, size small. Lay shirt flat on a good cutting surface.

2) Cut the top of the shirt off just under the sleeves.

3) Try the remaining piece on, placing the top about 2 inches under the bust. Measure the extra fabric on each side (probably 2 to 3 inches on each side), and pin.

4) With a sewing machine, sew a line diagonally from the top where you'd like to take in the extra fabric to the side, about 2" down. Stitch a straight line first, then reinforce with a zig-zag stitch.

5) Zig-zag top of cut fabric, keeping fabric taught as you do it.

6) Fold top of fabric over about 1/4" and straight stitch to keep in place.

Done!