I am so excited to share my newest make with you all. It’s another nursing-friendly dress… and this time, it has an invisible zip down the center front.

This dress is a variation of the previous dress I made for myself. I just altered the button placket to accommodate the invisible zip instead.

Oh and I changed the sleeve a bit… On my sleeve pattern, I shortened the sleeve & then increased the width of the hem using the slash and spread method. I actually love how it turned out!

Nursing Dress with a Zipper Alterations:

• I added a 5/8” seam allowance to my bodice’s center front and my skirt’s center front.
• After sewing up the darts on my bodices’ front and back pieces…and then pressing them, I attached each of my bodice front pieces to the corresponding waist seams of the skirt front pieces.
• I finished the seam allowances of both CF edges and proceeded with inserting the invisible zipper – making sure I matched the zipper up at the waist seams.
• I eliminated the center back seams for both my back bodice and skirt back pieces. Instead, I cut those on the fold to eliminate the extra sewing and seam finishing… because, why not? Less work for me!

Fabric:

• I used a 100% rayon fabric from Cotton + Steel that I purchased a couple of years ago. It has a lovely drape to it and is quite breathable which I absolutely LOVE!

The weather in NJ is still quite warm at the moment so breathable fabrics are still A MUST! In fact, when my family and I went out yesterday to snap these pictures, we stopped at the end of the block and just snapped them there instead of continuing on to the park. The park is literally a 5-7 minute walk, but the 80°F weather literally stopped us in our tracks! It was waaaay too hot & if we kept on walking, we would have ended up a sweaty mess. No, thank you…

This rayon fabric kept me cool though and quite comfortable in the shade. The dress itself is extremely lightweight and super breezy so it’s perfect for summer!

Speaking of summer, this summer was really a life-changing one for me. I gave up coffee, purchased new homeschooling curriculum (that we’re all loving btw), made me and my girls some pretty handmade dresses… experienced what it’s like to “test” a pattern before it’s released and blogged whenever I got the chance. In terms of sewing and pattern making, I’m learning so much & I’m finding myself even more addicted to the whole process of making clothes. Like obsessed, y’all… It’s all I think about!

Wearing dresses that are nursing friendly AND fit well is something I hadn’t experienced before I started making my own just a few months ago.  If you read the post about my 30th birthday dress, you’d know that I’ve been a nursing momma since 2011. It’s an every day commitment… and every outfit I wear has to be breastfeeding-friendly.  I’ve spent many years in leggings and pants and nursing tops… and I am just over it! Maybe my frustrations are fueling my addiction, but I’m truly loving making these dresses.

Dresses are effortless & comfortable… and there really isn’t anything not to love about them. Well, if your legs rub you may not fancy them, but I have a tip! Yay!

Get yourself an anti-chafing balm if your legs rub and your life won’t ever be the same. I use Gold Bond Friction Defense Stick… and it’s great stuff. I don’t monetize this blog yet so I’m not getting paid to say that – I just happen to use it myself and know that it works… hopefully you’ll try it and love it as much as I do!

My Handmade Nursing Dress with a Zipper ♥

Thank you so much for stopping by!  If you’d like to continue following my journey as I add to my handmade wardrobe, make sure to follow me on Instagram. You can also like my Facebook Page so my post updates can appear in your Facebook newsfeed.  <3

As always,

Happy Living, Loving, and Making…

Karina ♥