Making Maternity Pants?

[Belleweather]

This is my first pregnancy, and I work in an office, so I've been trying to find maternity slacks that don't make me look like a kindergarten teacher and are work appropriate and have been failing miserably -- partly 'cause we're poor and I can't pay $40/pair, and partly because I'm a weird size, but mostly because nearly everything I see is UG-LY.

So I was thinking -- is there any way I could pick up a couple of pairs of cheap slacks that fit in the arse and the legs, and then cut out the center of the stomach and serge in a panel of strechy fabric (maybe like the sweatshirt cuff-edging material at Joanne?) to make them maternity pants? Has anyone done this before -- and did it work?

[rubelin]

oh, yes. They even sell pre-made panels that you can sew in, though they aren't the greatest things ever. I recommend a cotton/lycra jersey, it's got lots of stretch and won't get baggy. Also try a few different versions before sewing it on; I preferred low rise to the ones that go up over the belly.

[Ellien C]

some jumpers in a larger size will also work for your wardrobe. Not to scare you or anything, but I work in an office, too and by the end of my preg. I was too big to wear pants. I thought Target had pretty decent clothes, too. I'm 5'2" and 100lbs normally. I gained over 50 with my pregnancy.

By all means though - stick panels in. It shouldn't be that hard. Be brave!