Making it Nursing Friendly – Sewing Patterns
Recently, I made a post compiling maternity/bump friendly patterns (if you haven’t seen it yet, click here!) So, I of course had to make a compilation of nursing friendly patterns! Oh man, what a list this is! There are so many options to look through! I tried to make this as easy as possible with clickable links to each of the pattern listings that will open in a new window. I’ve also separated them by knit and woven fabric and included if there is a dress or top version. You will also see, next to each pattern, the type of nursing access the pattern has. Most of them have a cross front or a button placket.
Since I’m currently 18 weeks pregnant, I’m going to be focusing my main hackings for maternity wear for now (making it maternity), but as time gets closer to when the new baby comes, I can start on nursing hacks or “making it nursing friendly”! I already have a few planned to share! Super excited.
For now, here is a big ol list of nursing friendly patterns! If I missed any of your favorites, please let me know!
KNIT
TOPS/DRESSES
5 out of 4 – Jenny Cross Front Tunic (cross front)
5 out of 4 – Sydney Peplum/Dress (lift up)
5 out of 4 – Nancy Raglan Top/Tunic/Dress (invisible zip)
5 out of 4 – Knot Your Average Top/Dress (life up)
5 out of 4 – Journey Tank/Dress (clips)
5 out of 4 – Stella Romper (clips)
5 out of 4 – Versatility Tank/Pants (clips/snaps)
Blank Slate Patterns – Maribella Shirt/Dress (placket)
Blank Slate Patterns – Catalina Dress (placket)
DIBY – Cecilia Sweater (cross front)
Ellie and Mac – Be Captivating Dress (cross front)
Ellie and Mac – Petal Top (Tulip Cross front)
Empty Hanger Patterns – Caroline Top/Dress (Front access)
Eunoia Patterns – Fair Winds Henley Curvy Fit (Side Panel)
Euonia Patterns – Following Seas Henley Straight Fit (Side Panel)
Euonia Patterns – Bazzle Top/Dress (Side Panel)
Euonia Patterns – Cordon Top/Dress (Side Panel)
Eunoia Patterns – Zircon Top/Dress (Placket)
Eunoia Patterns – Sapphire Top/Dress (Side Access)
Hallå – Carefree Dress (lift up or placket)
Hallå – Hey Babie Top (Pull down w/ modesty panel)
Hallå – Elise (cross front)
Hallå – Kimono Dress (cross front)
Hallå – Madeline (pull down)
Hallå – Mirra Raglan (asymmetrical front panel)
Itch to Stitch – Brasov Wrap Top (cross front)
Itch to Stitch – Medelline Top (cross front)
Love Notions – Olympia Dress (placket)
Love Notions – Willow Wrap Top (cross front)
Love Notions – Willow Wrap Dress (cross front)
Made for Mermaids – Mama Isabel Top/Dress (cross front)
Made for Mermaids – Mama Claire (cross front)
Made for Mermaids – Megan Romper/Dress/Maxi (cross front)
New Horizons Designs – Bellevue Top (pull down)
Patterns for Pirates – Tulip Tee (free) (envelope front)
Patterns for Pirates – Sunshine Dress (cross front)
Peekaboo Patterns – Cheyenne Tiered Dress (Lift Up)
Peekaboo Patterns – Edenbrooke Dress (Placket)
Peekaboo Patterns – Essential Tee (Lift up)
Peekaboo Patterns – Everyday Dress (Lift up)
Peekaboo Patterns – Madrid (lift up)
Peekaboo Patterns – Melbourne Crossover Top/Dress (cross front)
Peekaboo Patterns – Sicily Swim Tunic/Dress (lift up)
Rad Patterns – Aphrodite Tunic/Dress (pull down w/modesty panel)
Rad Patterns – Embrace Tee (cross front)
Rad Patterns – Alina Romper/Dress (cross front)
Rad Patterns – Buttercup Top/Dress (placket)
Rad Patterns – Date Night Dress (cross front)
Rad Patterns – Harvest Dress (pull down)
Rad Patterns – Back to Business Raglan (invisible zip)
Rad Patterns – Mokena Shirt (invisible zip)
Rad Patterns – Event Horizon Tee (envelope front)
Rebecca Page – Chrissy Cross Over Top/Dress (cross front)
Rebecca Page – Wrap Around Top (cross front)
Sew A Little Seam – Movie Night Pajamas (free with code in FB group) (placket)
Sinclair Patterns – Betty Faux Wrap Dress (cross front)
Sinclair Patterns – Lauren Top/Dress (cross front)
Sinclair Patterns – Dakota Tunic/Dress (placket)
Stitch Upon A Time – Shirtzie Top/Dress (cross front)
Striped Swallow Designs – Summer Dawn Wrap Dress (Cross front)
Striped Swallow Designs – Boheme Sky Top/Dress (Lift up)
- True Mothercraft – Access & Accessibility Tank/Shirt (invisible zip)
Wardrobe by Me – Wanda Wrap Dress (cross front)
Wardrobe by Me – Diana Wrap Dress (cross front)
Zen Llama Patterns – Side Access Nursing Top (side access)
Zen Llama Patterns – Adult Bella Top/Dress (side access)
- Zen Llama Patterns – Cowl Neck Top (pull down top w/ modesty panel)
OUTERWEAR
5 out of 4 – Accent Fleece Pullover (zipper)
Eunoia – Voyage (Side Access)
Hallå – Hollie Sweater/Cardigan (cross front)
Hallå – Cosy Wrap Cardigan (cross front)
Peekaboo Patterns – Hyak Hoodie (invisible zip)
Peekaboo Patterns – Aspen Pull Over (nursing panel)
True Mothercraft – Bosom Buddy Hoodie/Sweater (invisible zip)
von Coemi – Jessi Hoodie (invisible zip)
SWIM/BRAS/TANKS
5 out of 4 Patterns – Agility Tank/Dress (clips)
5 out of 4 Patterns – Lakeshore Tank (clips)
5 out of 4 Patterns – X Factor Bikini/Tankini (clips)
George & Ginger – Daybreak Rashguard (lift up)
Greenstyle Creations – Power Sports Bra (clips)
Made for Mermaids – Lana Bra (clips)
Peekaboo Patterns – Uptown Undies & Camisole (Nursing/Maternity add on) (lift up)
Peekaboo Patterns – Bahama Mama Vintage Swimsuit (cross front)
Peekaboo Patterns – Bahama Mama Surfsuit (zipper)
Rad Patterns – Ororo Bralette (clips)
Rad Patterns – Everything Tank (clips)
WOVEN
TOPS/DRESSES
Blank Slate Patterns – Marigold Dress (placket)
Blank Slate Patterns – Catalina Dress (placket)
Cali Faye Collection – Valley Blouse (single button front)
Chalk & Notch – Fringe Blouse/Dress (placket)
Closet Case Files – Kalle Shirt/Shirtdress (placket)
Closet Case Files – Fiona Sundress (placket)
Closet Case Files – Carolyn Pajamas (placket)
Hey June – Biscayne Blouse (placket)
Hey June – Cheyenne (placket)
Hey June – Sanibel Dress/Romper (placket)
Itch to Stitch – Azna Jumpsuit/Dress (placket)
Itch to Stitch – Bonn Shirt/Dress (placket)
Itch to Stitch – Mila Shirt (placket)
Love Notions – Presto Tunic (placket)
Patterns for Pirates – Brunch Blouse (will need a longer placket)
Patterns for Pirates – So Classic Sundress (placket)
Peekaboo Patterns – Friday Harbor Blouse/Dress (placket)
Rad Patterns – Unicorn Day Dress (cross front)
Tadah – Sol Top/Dress (pull down)
Tilly and the Buttons – Rose Shirt/Dress (placket)
Tilly and the Buttons – Seren Dress (placket)
True Bias – Southport Dress (placket)
True Bias – Yari Jumpsuit (placket)
Twig & Tail – Driftwood Blouse/ Dress (button front add on)
Wardrobe by Me – Anna Shirt (placket)
Wardrobe by Me – Savannah Button Shirt (placket)
NURSING HACKS
Invisible zipper into a princess seam/raglan seam
Button Placket
Lift up nursing hack
BABYWEARING
EldenberryBlossom – Skin to Skin Top
Naahgluck by Sophie Kaariainen – Arka Jacket and Muksu (babywearing add on)
Twig & Tale – Nestledown Vest
Twig & Tale – Nestledown Coat
OTHER
Rebecca Page – Free Nursing Pillow
If there are any favorite nursing friendly patterns that I missed, please let me know so I can add them to the list! You can send me a message or add a comment below!
Happy Sewing!
Cheers!
6 Comments
Aukje (Sew Cucio)
You forgot the Arja jacket and muksu add on for baby wearing and have a look at the skin-to-skin top from EldenberryBlossoms.
Trissa Bouwhuis
Just added those! The Arja Jacket is mostly in another language so I would have never found it! <3
Mo
Thank you so much for this amazing list! So many to choose from. Well done!!
Trissa Bouwhuis
You are most welcome!! Hope it is helpful! <3
Alice Brown
Did you ever happen to make the Brunch Blouse from Patterns 4 Pirates into a nursing dress/top? I would really like to know how you modified the pattern.
Trissa Marie
I haven’t done that one yet but it has a placket, so the easiest thing to do would be to extend the placket longer for easy nursing access. 🙂