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Maternity clothing helps you to be comfortable and look professional as your body changes during pregnancy. Maternity pants usually feature knit or stretchy fabric over the belly, so that they will expand as your stomach grows larger. It can be hard to find maternity pants that fit well in the hips, buttocks and thighs as well as the stomach. One way to ensure your maternity pants fit is to convert normal pants into maternity pants. If you do not have pants at home that you want to convert, then go to a thrift store and try on jeans or pants. You will spend less and find pants that have already been worn and stretched slightly. Find out how to make regular pants into maternity pants.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Cutting your Pants

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  1. Zip them up to the point at which they can comfortably close without pinching your belly.
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  3. You should have a very gentle curve that may cut through your front pockets.
  4. Your back pockets, if you have them, should stay intact.
  5. This will prevent fraying. Load some thread that is the same color as your pants.
  6. Some craft stores sell thread that is specially made for sewing on denim.
  7. Then, stitch 1 more time across the zipper and fly region.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Creating your Maternity Waist Band

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  1. You should use elastic that is 2 inches (5 cm) or wider so that it does not dig into your belly.
  2. Wrap the elastic around your waist, at top edge of your pants, where they meet your pelvic bones. Mark a length on the band that is comfortable and not too tight.
    • Remember that you want the elastic to be tight enough to keep the pants on, but also allow a little room for growth.
  3. Cut off excess any excess elastic. Sew the ends of the elastic band together.
  4. You may want to choose black, blue or another color to match your pants or a patterned fabric that will create some attractive contrast.
    • You will need at least 1/4 of a yard for the fabric waistband. A Lycra/cotton blend will work well.
    • If you buy a length of knit fabric, ensure that it is fairly elastic, so that it does not stretch too far. If you choose a t-shirt, find 1 that fits snugly over your belly. You can cut a horizontal section of the shirt to use as your waist band.
  5. Subtract 2 inches (5 cm) from that measurement. This is your width measurement for your fabric waist band.
  6. Cut it so that it is between 14 and 17 inches (35.6 to 43.2 cm) tall. If you have a short torso, choose a 14 inch (35.6 cm) measurement, and use a longer measurement if you have a long torso.
  7. Sew the side together on your sewing machine.
  8. The new seam should be folded in half and you should have both rough edges at the bottom and the fold at the top.
  9. Depending upon the width of your elastic band, you will need to measure the width plus 5/8 inches (1.6 cm). For example, if you have a 2 inch (5 cm) elastic band, then measure 2 and 5/8 inches (6.6 cm) up from the rough edge.
  10. Mark the measurement around the entire fabric loop.
  11. This will allow you to stretch the fabric when you pull your pants on and off. You want to sew between 2 layers of folded fabric, but be sure not to sew through both sides of the loop.
  12. It should stop at the line you have just sewn.
  13. Use a zig zag stitch again. This will close your casing for the elastic band.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Sewing your Maternity Pants

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  1. Fold the fabric loop so that it is inside out. Pull it over the top of the pants until the edges of the fabric tube and the pants meet.
  2. The right, outside, sides should be touching.
  3. Use a narrow zig zag stitch. You may also choose to serge the final seam to prevent fraying.
  4. You can either wear them with the fabric tube extending up your belly or with it folded in half.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Why do maternity pants need a panel across the abdomen? Why not just have very low-cut pants?
    Community Answer
    Very low-cut pants don't stay up very well. Your hips are the widest part of your body, so pants need to be relatively tight to stay up. This "tight" area tends to be right where a pregnant woman's already compressed bladder is. Full-panel pants stay up because of a band around the top of the belly, which is significantly narrower than the rest of the bump. This style can stay up without being as tight.
  • Question
    How do your pants stay up?
    Jen Hallman
    Community Answer
    When I was pregnant, I used large safety pins to fasten jeans. Slip the safety pin in the hole and fasten the other side.
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      Warnings

      • Beware that these changes to your pants are permanent. You can not undo the conversion at a later date. Choose pants that are inexpensive or that you know you will not want to use after your pregnancy.
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      Things You'll Need

      • Sewing machine
      • Used jeans or pants
      • Old t-shirt or knit fabric
      • Pins
      • Fabric pen/chalk
      • Fabric scissors
      • Size 100 needle
      • Thick thread
      • Elastic band
      • Fabric measuring tape
      • Serger (optional)

      References

      1. Alterations Express. Alteration, Tailoring, and Dry Cleaning Specialists. Expert Interview. 15 September 2021.
      2. Alterations Express. Alteration, Tailoring, and Dry Cleaning Specialists. Expert Interview. 15 September 2021.

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 147,505 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Patti Wolfe

        May 17, 2016

        "I got great ideas for taking older pants or t-shirts for stretchable material for the front of my older pants. I ..." more
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