Jersey maternity tunic - Free sewing patterns

Finding clothes that both fit and flatter during pregnancy can be a laborious task but here, Amanda Walker’s tunic has taken out all of the stress. Designed to accommodate a growing bump, make you feel comfortable and look great too, this jersey top will soon become your new best friend. The fitted band allows you to show off your curves but gives you the option to remove it during your third trimester for ultimate comfort.

Essentials

Jersey fabric, 1.4m x 1.5m
Coordinating thread
Fusible webbing

Dimensions List

Small, medium, large
Cutting guide
Front bodice: cut one on the fold
Front skirt: cut one on the fold
Back tunic: cut one on the fold
Sleeve: cut one pair
Neckband: cut one 5cm x 62cm strip
Waistband: cut one 20cm x 70cm strip
1cm seam allowance used throughout expect for the neckline, where a 5mm seam allowance is used.

Stitch a stylish tunic

1 Download and print the pattern (above). Using the cutting guide as a reference, cut out the indicated pieces. Match the shoulder seams of the front bodice and back tunic pieces together, pin, then stitch together with right sides facing.

2 Sew the two ends of the neckband together with right sides facing to make a circle, then turn the band to the right side, fold in half lengthways and press flat. Stitch the neckband to the front and back neckline, starting by matching the join in the neckband to the centre back neckline. As the neckband is slightly smaller than the neckline, it will need stretching slightly to fit.

3 Fold, pin and stitch across the pleats at the top of the front skirt, as indicated on the pattern pieces. With right sides facing, match and pin the top pleated edge of the skirt to the base of the front bodice and stitch together.

4 Lay the back and front pieces together with right sides facing, match and pin the side seams together, then stitch in place. Sew a row of gathering stitch around the head of the sleeve, starting from the front notch and finishing at the back notches. Match, pin and stitch the underarm sleeve seams together with right sides facing, then turn the sleeves to the right side. Pull the gathering threads up slightly, then place the sleeve into the armhole of the top.

5 Match the side seams and the underarm of the sleeves together, aligning the notch in the centre of the sleeve to the end of the shoulder seam, adjusting the gathers to fit the armhole of the top. Pin and stitch in place, then pull out the gathering stitches.

6 Overlock around the base of the tunic and ends of the sleeves, then fold and press up 2cm on the sleeves and hem. Using fusible webbing, adhere the hems in place. Alternatively, sew by hand with a loose herringbone stitch or by machine using a zigzag stitch.

7 With the right sides of the waistband fabric strip facing up, fold it in half lengthways, match the two long edges together and stitch. Towards one end of the seam, leave a 5cm gap in the stitching line, then turn the tube inside out.

8 Take the end nearest to the gap in the stitching and thread it back through the gap, then take the other end and thread through the gap. Match the seam ends together, making sure the tube is not twisted, then stitch around the two ends together. Pull the stitched ends back to the right side to create a continuous circle, then hand-stitch the gap closed.