So you’re pregnant, and just getting to the point where all of your jeans suddenly don’t fit. You feel uncomfortable and frumpy and you know you need to do something about it quickly. You’re obviously here because you’re considering altering some yourself, whether that’s to save money, to have better options, or because you just love to DIY.
I’m currently at this stage of my third pregnancy. You would think I would have a pretty good maternity wardrobe, but with my first I bought all cheap clothes and they just didn’t make it past 2 pregnancies. I also have a better idea now of what I want.
There are of course different styles of maternity jeans, and this method is for the pocket style like in the picture below. I really like this style because the jeans are cute enough that I will want to wear them even after pregnancy. You will have a functioning fly, belt loops, pockets, and intact rivets. And you can tuck your shirt in!
The process is simple, with limited supplies and materials. It will probably take you 45 minutes or less. I’ve seen and done tutorials with similar processes online, and while they’re just as functional, I didn’t like that they were a bit messy looking. I wanted a really sleek looking pair of jeans and this alteration fit the bill.
Most likely, these jeans won’t fit the entire pregnancy. I consider them mid pregnancy/post partum and beyond pants.
If you have never sewed before, you can check out my post here on getting started. It will give you a great start on finding everything you need, as well as some beginner projects!
Supplies and Materials
- Jeans – either some of your own or some thrifted ones. Make sure they’re really nice! You don’t want to put the work in for cheap jeans that aren’t flattering and won’t last. I found some at the thrift store that are 100% cotton and a style I like.
- Stretchy fabric scraps – make sure it is very stretchy with good recovery. You could use fabric scraps, an old shirt, or even tights/leggings. I used jersey that is 95% cotton / 5% spandex.
- Sewing machine
- Measuring tape
- Scissors
- Pins or clips
- Thread
Let’s get started!
Measure your pocket and cut it out
Step 1 – It’s easiest to accurately measure the width of the pocket at this point. Measure from the inside edge of the pocket to the side seam and write down the width for later, plus 1 inch for seam allowance. So my width was 4 + 1 = 5 inches.
Step 2 – Now cut down the pockets on either side, leaving a 1/2″ seam allowance. Cut all the way down to the bottom of the pocket bag and then cut the bottom seam of the pocket bag right off. You will start with the pants right side out and then need to turn them inside out to finish cutting.
Step 3 – Measure the longest part of the pocket piece, double it and write down. My length was 7 3/4 x 2 = 15 1/2 inches.
Prepare your stretchy pocket pieces
Step 4 – Next, get your stretchy fabric out. The width is always the direction of most stretch. You are going to cut out 2 pieces that are the width and length that you wrote down in steps 1 and 3. Cut it out, fold in half upwards, and make notches (just a 1/4 inch slit) in the fold to mark the middle of the length (this will make it easier when you are pinning things together).
NOTE – if you only have very small pieces of fabric, you could make the length out of 2 pieces of fabric and sew them together. Just make sure to add a 1/2 inch seam allowance to both pieces.
Line up edges, pin, and sew
Step 5 – We are going to sandwich the pocket edge that is closest to the center (zipper) between the two folded edges of the stretchy fabric. So you will wrap the stretchy fabric around the top of the jeans and to the back, so that you have 3 layers. Make sure the notch is at the top of the jeans and that you have right sides facing each other (on the front). Pin or clip all along this edge and repeat on the other pocket. Sew with a 1/2 inch seam allowance, making sure to backstitch at the beginning and end. Double check to make sure you got your seam right along the edge of the pocket so it’s nice and clean looking.
Step 6 – This side is a little more awkward because the rivet at the bottom gets in the way. We are going to fold the stretchy fabric in by 1/2 inch and pin it along the side seam, only up to the rivet. Make sure to get the front and underside even. Top stitch 1/8 inch from the edge, making sure to catch the underside as you go. Get as close to the rivet as you can and then stop. You will only have sewn down half the length of this side.
Step 7 – Turn the jeans inside out. We are going to sew the rest of this side together now. You don’t need to worry about sandwiching anymore, so just line up all 3 edges and pin. Sew, again getting as close to the rivet as you can. There will be a small section around the rivet that doesn’t get sewn, but it won’t be a problem.
Step 8 – Trim your stretchy fabric so it lines up with the bottom of the pocket bag and sew the bottom closed.
That’s it!
And you’re all done! You’ve got nice, clean, functioning pockets and jeans that you will want to wear even when you’re not pregnant because they just look so awesome!
Would you make this style of maternity jeans? Let me know in the comments below! And if you have any questions about this method, be sure to ask and I’ll be glad to help 🙂
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