When I first began sewing, I discovered how much I loved making myself dresses. They are satisfying to sew, and there are so many different patterns out there with endless silhouette and style options. At the time I was breastfeeding June, and began to look for nursing friendly dress patterns. Over the past 4 years, I’ve tried out many different patterns (with varying degrees of success), and I’m excited to share some of my favorites with you today!
Some of these dresses are already nursing friendly, and some I did a few modifications to make them work, which I’ve detailed below.
Want some more sewing inspiration? Check out my posts from Me Made May 2023 and Me Made May 2024!
Nursing Friendly Dress Pattern
Syd Tie Dress by Syd Graham Patterns
This is one of my favorite patterns, and I already have another one in the works! The silhouette is so fun and trendy, and it comes with the option to add sleeves or to make it into a top rather than a dress. To make it nursing friendly I shortened the amount that you sew together at the bottom of the bodice and added a third tie. It works perfectly! This pattern is great for a confident beginner and it comes together quite quickly.
Also I love love love Syd Graham Patterns. Her Instagram is chock full of helpful tips and lots of sewing inspiration. Plus she has some great tutorials on Youtube. If you don’t follow her yet, you should!
Quilt fabric: an old quilt top quilted to white fabric (following Syd’s tutorial)
Gingham fabric: Felicity Plaid Blue by Cait and Rainn (Carriage House Printery)
Marly Dress by Nerida Hansen
This dress is actually made to be nursing friendly, which is one of the reasons I fell in love with it. Plus the skirt is really fun and I’m a big fan of tank top sleeves (if you can’t tell – it’s hot in Texas!). The construction is more labor intensive and a bit confusing at first, but it’s worth it for sure.
Fabric: Brussels Washer in Natural (Hawthorne Supply Co)
Hannah Dress by By Hand London
This is a fun pattern that I find is very flattering with the ties at your natural waist. It’s a true wrap dress, with an inner tie and an outer tie. Because of that it is technically nursing friendly (and I have used it for breastfeeding for multiple children) but it does require some *redressing* once you’re finished.
Fabric: Essex Yarn Dyed in Eggplant (Hawthorne Supply Co)
Hinterland Dress by Sew Liberated
This was my first real women’s woven pattern to make, and goodness it was quite a challenge! I had only been sewing for a few months, and found myself Googling “seam allowance”, “bias binding” and “interfacing” – THAT’S how in over my head I was! But I was so proud of my finished product, and couldn’t believe I actually made a real dress. I made another version a year later and it went much smoother.
The buttons on this dress are functional, which makes it the perfect dress for breastfeeding! Plus they add a fun detail to the dress that I love.
Pink fabric: linen/cotton blend from Etsy (no longer available)
Blue fabric: Brussels Washer Yarn Dyed in Denim (Hawthorne Supply Co)
Modern Housedress by Lowland Kids
I have only made one version of this dress and I have no idea why I haven’t made more! It is seriously the coziest and cutest thing ever. I made it when I was 38 weeks pregnant with my third baby, so I went up a size to accommodate my big ‘ole belly. Since then it’s been my go to dress/pajama postpartum. It’s now covered in permanent spit up and milk stains, but I still love it! Peep newborn baby Fran and Ellie *swoon*.
The buttons are functional, and for this dress I used pearl snaps from KamSnaps so it would be even easier to work with. I will probably shorten the dress a bit next time I make it so it’s less fabric to deal with, but that’s just personal preference.
Fabric: Bamboo/Spandex Jersey in Latte (Nature’s Fabric)
Barcelona by Little Lizard King
I am still obsessed with these pictures we took almost 4 years ago. I just love how our outfits all coordinated, the wildflowers were on point, and it was the first time I made all of our outfits for a family photoshoot (minus Isaac’s pants).
I went with the Barcelona pattern because I saw someone else’s dress and fell in love with the style, especially the modification of adding shoulder ties. By doing so I made it nursing friendly, and it’s such a cute addition to the dress. I DO wish I had added the back tie because the straps annoyingly slide off my shoulders constantly. Maybe this summer I’ll finally add them so I can wear this dress more!
Solid Fabric: Essex Yard Dyed Homespun in Natural (Hawthorne Supply Co)
Floral Fabric: Strawberry Fields in Blush by Rifle Paper Co (Hawthorne Supply Co)
March Dress by Helen’s Closet
I made my first March dress December of 2023 and instantly fell in love with the cute details, big billowy sleeves and flowy skirt. Fast forward to now and I have made many different variations, including these fun tank tops and the dress I used for maternity/newborn pictures. Love love love!
I made this dress nursing friendly by making the slit even longer (there are instructions in the pattern on how to do so) and adding a hook and eye to the slit to keep it closed.
If you’re a beginner sewist, I highly recommend Helen’s Closet patterns. They are very detailed, easy to follow and have a ton of tips throughout to explain various steps. I own a few of their patterns and have been impressed with every one of them!
Solids: European Laundered Linen – my fave (Isee Fabric)
Floral: Ditsy Fall Floral in Blueberry on rayon (Carriage House Printery)
Skyline Dress by Syd Graham Patterns
Yep, here’s another Syd Graham pattern and it is perfect for breastfeeding! She has a tutorial for how to make the strap ties in the middle of the bodice, and I highly recommend checking it out. It’s seriously such an easy modification that makes it nursing friendly! Plus isn’t that little bow in the front just the cutest touch?
Fabrics: scraps for the patchwork one (done following her tutorial) and a vintage tablecloth!
Adult Drawstring Dress by Lowland Kids
If you’re wanting something on the cozier side, then you should check out this dress from Lowland Kids! It’s one of the few knit dresses I own (I love me some linen dresses, if you can’t tell), and it’s extra special because there’s a variation of the dress for hidden nursing access. How cool is that?
Fabric: Slub French Terry (no longer available)
Do you have any nursing friendly dresses you’ve sewn up? If so, let me know in the comments below! I’m always on the search for a new pattern. :)
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