How to Make a Hospital Gown
Posted on 16. Jul, 2010 by Trish in Tutorial
As I sit around and wait and wait and wait for this baby to come I try to keep myself busy making things. One of the things on my list was a cute hospital gown. I’ve seen them around but there is no way I want to pay the $50-$95 they cost. I was more looking for something to wear in the hospital after the baby comes so when people come and visit I actually look somewhat cute.
I found a free pattern online from Lazy Girl Designs that has a pattern for adult hospital gowns and children’s hospital gowns. It doesn’t come with any pictures of the finished product, so I honestly had no idea what it would look like. I kept putting it off and decided I really didn’t one, but then yesterday I was so antsy I needed something to keep me occupied. I decided to go ahead and make one and see how it turned out.
I did make a few changes to it, such as instead of a button and velcro for the top of the sleeves I used some snap tape I had. I figured that would be easier to do up and wouldn’t accidentally come undone if I pulled it getting in or out of bed. Then I used bias tape around the neckline and the sleeves just to add a little more contrast. Then I decided it was too short, so I added a ruffle at the bottom to make it a little more feminine. After I tried it on I decided the back gaped open a little more than I was comfortable using just the two ties the pattern recommended. I added one more in the middle and that seemed to help a lot. The last change I did was to add a removable ribbon around the waist which helped a TON. Otherwise I felt like I was just wearing a regular old hospital gown that is one size fits all and is like a giant bag. This added some shape to it and made me feel a lot better about wearing it.
This is the finished product. To give you an idea, I am 5′10 and added about a 4 inch ruffle (before hemming and sewing on) so it hits me about mid kneecap. I do think it was a little big and I would have preferred a little more fitted, but I had no idea what the fit was before I started making it. Please ignore the bad picture of me. It was late at night, I was using a timer on my camera, and I’m just a few days shy of being 39 weeks pregnant.
Here is the back, showing the 3 ties. The pattern only calls for the top and bottom one, but I decided it needed another one in the middle. I also moved the bottom one over about an inch to give me a little more coverage, but I could have moved it over even more for someone my size. There was plenty of material in the back to do so.
Here it is without the tie, so you can see how it looks like a genuine hospital gown. I believe that was the intent of the pattern itself, so they did a great job making it. Oh, I forgot to say that I took out the pocket because I didn’t really see the need of it for a maternity visit.
So there you have it. My homemade hospital gown that I can wear so I don’t feel so frumpy after giving birth. Now if only this kid would arrive so I can try it out. 
Patience, right?
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31 Responses to “How to Make a Hospital Gown”
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jamie
19. Feb, 2011
I love this idea, I’m making one for my sister, who is expecting this summer. Did you use the right and left sides like the pattern calls for? or did you cut two right sides? I’ve read another blog that says to use two right sides, so it’s a little bigger for the belly. I’m just not that sure if it will need to be that big, as my sister has a small frame. Thanks!
Trish
19. Feb, 2011
I don’t remember 100%, but I really think I just did one of each side. I had plenty of room in there for my belly. I think if your sister has a small frame you’d be fine with just one of each side.
Holly
15. Sep, 2010
Oh my GOSH!! I am 36 weeks, on bedrest and bored to tears! I made the car seat cover from your site (love it!) and just came across this gown! I am printing out the pattern tonight and having my hubby get me some fabric and we shall see what’s next! Oh – and your pics look GREAT!!! Thanks for sharing your great ideas!
Krista
27. Jul, 2010
Hi! Found this while searching for reviews on this particular pattern. I am working on my own hospital maternity gown right now, and have this partially done, so I tried it on to get an idea of fit last night, and it seems the neckline is high and quite uncomfortable (not done yet, just my first impression as I work on it). Did you find this to be true at all? Cute finished product BTW!
Trish
27. Jul, 2010
I did think the neckline was a little high, but when I put the finished gown on with the snaps at the top of the shoulders like it is supposed to be it wasn’t bad. The shoulder snaps wanted to go back behind the top of my shoulders when I was working on it which made the neckline really high, but when I adjusted it to the correct position it didn’t seem bad. I still haven’t had my baby so I haven’t actually tried it yet to see how it works, but that was my initial reaction to it.
Krista
29. Jul, 2010
Thanks – I will finish it and see how it works! I used some scrap material for the first one b/c I was nervous about using my “good” material on a pattern I had never tried before. I think it looks great one you (lol, as fashionable as a hospital gown can look), so hopefully mine will turn out similar
galit
26. Jul, 2010
This is unbelievably cute. I am definitely making one for myself. thanks for the tips!
Shan @ Last Shreds Of Sanity
25. Jul, 2010
Very cute! I wish I had had one of these when I gave birth to Rowan. LOL
So are you still waiting or did the little cutie come out yet?
Trish
27. Jul, 2010
Nope still waiting. Day 2 of being overdue.
Amanda
17. Jul, 2010
Trish! I love it!! It looks so cute. Let us know how everything goes
Kelly W
16. Jul, 2010
you did an awesome job. I miss seeing you online. You are looking good.
Not So Average Mama
16. Jul, 2010
I love it! I think you did an awesome job and I love the changes and additions you made.
Deborah
16. Jul, 2010
Very cute! Nice job mom!
mariegal
16. Jul, 2010
Super cute!