Making your own nursing top?

I've done the tank-top-with-holes route, and it worked great. I used a ribbed cotton tank top, and didn't sew anything; the fabric never frayed. Go for it!

I have some links to patterns, but it's been awhile. IIRC, there's an online pattern that shows how to adapt a t-shirt & maybe some patterns from sew-easy. The links are on my other computer, so I'll try to get them in the morning.

This month's issue of Sew News has a great article about converting regular shirt patterns to nursing shirts. Their examples looked very cute!

You can make like a tube top type thing to just wear under your shirt below your boobs down to cover your belly (does this make sense?)... that way your belly is covered but it's easy to get the baby to feed. I got aggrivated w/nursing tops quickly - had to separate the material & open my bra and... eeek. This works much better and a LOT easier when I'm out and about nursing in a sling.

I like to make nursing tanks out of 2 lingerie tanktops from Target (they're really stretchy). I cut the bottom off of one, and the top off of another, overlap them, and sew them together in the back & up the sides. Then to nurse, I just lift up the top in front. This also makes for a nice, long tank top which I need for my very large, nursing bust!

I cut vertical slits in some ribbed tank tops (cutting along one of the ribs). I didn't sew them, and they never frayed. I wore these under a wide variety of "regular" tops - sweat shirts, T's, etc.

Try the top on to know where to cut the slits. Slits cut too low can always be brought up to meet the breast, but slits that end too high just don't work.

I also adapted a commercial pattern. I cut two fronts, but made one shorter (the outside one) and cut vertical slits (which I edged with seam binding) on the longer one.

Elizabeth Lee Designs sells breastfeeding patterns:
http://www.elizabethlee.com
I used one of these patterns to make a nice dress. They have shirt patterns, too.

nak
try www.sleepingbaby.net under "baby crafts"...there are a few free options there!

I've made my own tops from Elizabeth Lee patterns. I think the patterns are expensive, but was able to get the very two patterns I wanted (along with three homemade tops way to big) for $0.99+SH. I think the advantage to making your own is in choice of fabric and embellishment. For example, I used organic cotton and am not even sure where to buy a similar top.