How to Customize Pregnancy Shirts

The constant belly growth during pregnancy can make it necessary to buy new clothes frequently, and although maternity clothing has become more fashionable and mainstream over the years, it can still be challenging to find maternity shirts that are flattering and unique for a reasonable price. Many trendy boutiques offer stylish pregnancy clothing but are typically understocked with items that are overpriced. By purchasing maternity shirts off the rack at mass merchandisers or on-line retailers and customizing them at home, pregnant women can feel attractive in one-of-a-kind embellished maternity creations.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Maternity shirts, preferably cotton-blend
• Iron-on decals
• Iron
• Rhinestones or crystals
• Rhinestone setter
• Fabric glue
• Ribbon or fringe
• Buttons
• Needle
• Thread

1. Buy a variety of maternity shirts. Look for buy-one-get-one free specials to maximize your budget. Buy shirts that fit appropriately and are flattering, but also purchase a few in a larger size to be worn during the last few months of your pregnancy. Shirts made of cotton or cotton blends are easy to work with, whereas silk or satin fabrics can be more difficult.

2. Add a decal. For those who feel they are craft-challenged, iron-on decals are fast, affordable and can provide impressive results with little effort. Most craft stores sell a variety of decals or iron-on transfers that can be created on a computer, printed onto iron-on transfer paper and then ironed onto the shirt.

3. Attach rhinestones or crystals. Spell out a phrase or trim a collar and cuffs with sparkly crystals to add flair to an otherwise ordinary maternity shirt. Buy a rhinestone- or stud-setter to apply the rhinestones, or attach crystals with fabric glue.

4. Sew on ribbon or fringe. Outlining a pocket, collar or cuffs with colorful ribbon or fringe can perk up any off-the-rack shirt. If sewing is not an option, most ribbon can be attached securely with fabric glue.

5. Swap out the buttons. This quick and easy task of changing plain white buttons on a shirt with handpainted, silver, or gold buttons can instantly personalize a blouse.

6. If you are not feeling creative, check out customized shirt vendors. Online retailers such as LaLaBabyBoutique.com, MommyLoves.com and Zazzle.com offer maternity shirts that may be purchased and customized with your own verbiage.

Tips & Warnings

• Clothing that has been embellished with rhinestones, ribbon, iron-on transfers or fabric paint should be hand-washed or machine washed in the gentle cycle to reduce wear.

References

• Maternity Clothing
• Customized T-Shirts

Resources

• Rhinestone Setter

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