the diy bellaband
Have you heard of the BellaBand? It’s this $25 piece of stretchy, seamless material that allows pregnant women to wear their non-maternity clothes longer and their maternity clothes a bit sooner. It’s also useful for that post-pregnancy transition period. I registered for two BellaBands: one in black and one in chocolate. I figured I would end up buying them for myself once I got to the States for my visit in a few weeks. What I didn’t expect was that I would need one so soon.
Week 12 starts tomorrow. It’s the last week of my first trimester (my, how time flies), and I haven’t been able to wear my favorite jeans for over a month. Yes, they were very, very tight jeans. But now my other jeans aren’t fitting so well, either. I can still button all of them, but actually keeping them buttoned and fully zipped is horrendously uncomfortable. So, naturally, I’ve been sitting around the house with my pants unbuttoned. No big deal, but I have a very long, international flight in two weeks. I know I absolutely cannot endure the flight with my pants buttoned, and I’m not eager to have funny stares sent my way. But, the BellaBand is not available for sale here, and I don’t even want to think of how much it would cost to import it. Or if it would arrive in time.
So, I had to get creative. I’m not the DIY type, but sometimes the circumstances just require it. I remembered reading the story of the woman who created the BellaBand and how one day she used a tube top to hold her still-too-big maternity pants up. I raided my closet for a tube top. When the tube top I had didn’t work right, I realized I needed to make my own tube top. That’s when the light bulb went on. Just a few days before, I had created a pile of clothes destined for donation and eBay. Among this pile were six super-stretchy, seamless Banana Republic tees. I have 7 or 8 in all, and my friends used to call them the “Rachel Tees”. But, after having worn them like crazy for several years, I knew it was time to move on. It broke my heart just a little, but I knew it was for the best.
Imagine my delight when it occurred to me that I could get a new use out of these tees! I love recycling. So I took my least-favorite color (light gray) and snipped off the top part, leaving a stretchy, seamless tube behind. I tried it with my unbuttoned jeans, and it was perfect. For you ladies out there looking for an alternative to the BellaBand, you may want to check your own closets or even head to the store for an inexpensive, seamless, stretch top that you can modify. It works! I’m particularly thrilled because I have several colors to choose from, while the BellaBand is only available in black, white, and chocolate. I’ve got nude, aqua, pale pink, black, maroon, and pale gray. Sweet!
I’d love to hear of other clever hacks parents and parents-to-be have come up with. Judging from what I’ve been reading on many different forums, there’s lots of creativity out there!
Filed under 1st trimester, 2nd trimester, 3rd trimester, accessories, clothes, shopping |45 Responses to “the diy bellaband”
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Hey babe,
Perhaps we should become nudists - that would definitely save on getting the new wardrobe. We might need to move to a warmer climate though – what are your thoughts on Belize?
Hey, not a bad idea. In addition to the warm weather, Belize has another advantage over Estonia… they speak English there! You better Belize it!
Hi Rae,
This is fabulous! I was going to tell you about the rubber band trick. Your idea is much prettier.
If you do need the rubber band trick to keep any pants from sliding off (maybe when you get to the point of totally unzipped), here it is. 
Your “band” should hide it nicely especially (or a thick winter top).
Just loop one end of a rubber band over the button, and loop the other through the button hole and back around over the button too. Let me know if that doesn’t make sense. It is simpler than it sounds.
Congrats on entering the happy trimester! Enjoy the beautiful baby belly as it develops!
That rubber band trick makes complete sense. And really useful for the jean tabs that want to stick straight out when unbuttoned! Thanks!
Great I read about this after I bought two of these for $15 each!
[…] diy bellaband at Littler Inch Beautiful! Get a little more wear out of your clothes during early pregnancy! […]
I love your creation
and that photo of the t’s in a row is really cute - I like the colors!
Just curious how your home-made band compares to the “real ones” that you got later (and how wide did you make them). I’m in a similar situation… I’m an American living in Italy, envying my friends in the US who can just go to the store and pick this kind of stuff up! I’m also inching up on 9 weeks pg.
Thanks in advance!
Hi Amy! My home-made bands worked so well that I didn’t end up buying or even looking at any “real ones.” Because the band is unattached to the pants, however, I did find they required adjusting every once in a while. Can’t imagine the real ones would be different in that regard, though, since unattached is unattached.
While most maternity pants probably still wouldn’t fit me (at 22 weeks), and I’d be happy to still be using my bands, my mother converted several pairs of jeans and a pair of dress pants to maternity by cutting off the tops and replacing them with stretchy material. So, I don’t have that “unattached” problem anymore, but I’m sure I’ll be using my bands again in that post-preg period. Although, I wouldn’t be surprised if my pre-preg jeans never fit again!
Not sure if you have H&M or Zara near you, but both stores have maternity lines now. Plus, this is actually a perfect time to be pregnant, fashion-wise, as I’ve found non-maternity clothes very accommodating for growing bellies (longer tops, tunics, and empire waists). Good luck!
First, thanks for the reply! Second, I forgot to say the first time, congrats on your pregnancy!
I’ll look up H&M and Zara. We have both. I’ll also be getting some pants for my mother in law to adjust. She was a professional seamstress before my husband was born! So my next question… how did your mom do the adjustment? Did she make the belly pouch (similar to: http://patchworkprincess.blogspot.com/2006/02/how-to-tuesday-maternity-jeans.html )
or did she just make a straight band where the waistband used to be? How wide is the band?
Thanks for your kind replies. I’ve been trying to find info on this stuff all over the web without luck. Your simple do-it-yourself is great!
Again, good luck with your pregnancy and your adventure in Europe!
Well, aren’t you lucky to have a seamstress in the family! Yes, my mom did use those instructions as a guideline, but for one pair of jeans she cut off the top part of some cotton/spandex leggings and sewed those on. So far, those are the most comfortable and stay up the best. I really don’t know how Paisley Princess used just a t-shirt. My mom and I went to a fabric store to look for stretchy fabric, and what worked best was the stretchy fabric that wasn’t too stretchy. I hope that makes sense!
They are not cut straight across, as that just wouldn’t work with a pregnant belly. I think you should wait until you can see how your belly is growing before embarking on any alterations (if this is your first pregnancy). For me, that was somewhere between 16-18 weeks. There’s no way to predict how your body will change and what will be comfortable!
By the way, I started using my diy bands again. I just really wanted to wear my favorite pair of pre-preg jeans, but they don’t zip or button anymore! They’re now tight enough to stay up on their own, so the band serves to keep the unzipped part covered. Works like a charm.
[…] Post: the diy bellaband Have you heard of the BellaBand? It’s this $25 piece of stretchy, seamless material that allows […]
Great idea! I’m loving my store bought belly band, but I could use some variety.
So i tried you idea and loved it!! I too wanted more color choices and wasn’t too thrilled on spending tons on a band. I am about 15 weeks now and on my 6th and last and i had been 20lbs overweight before my last, ended up being 30 after, lost 20, still had 10 to go and had an very unexpected suprise just after christmas:) So at only 15 weeks, i am a bit protruding, because of the lost weight my jeans were loose, so now i am still wearing them even buttoned,yeppie! But not for much longer, so these bands looked to be a wonderful idea when i need to unbotton and unzip. I am a 10/12 figure meaning size 12 hips and 8/10 waist and my waist is long, so you can imagine how quickly my shirts become to short and on top of that it was already hard to find ones long enough as it is. These are even a great idea for using even when not preggers.
Before i found you i was searchin, I had even looked on ebay and it still was a bit pricy. Then i found your site and dug in my closet and made me a few, love them!!! I am not a seamstress, but am crafty and can sew alot of crafty stuff, but just not clothing, go figure.(i think its the directions, yep even the simple sew ones:)
Another idea is swinging by your local fabric store and buying some t-shirt material or some kind of stretchy stuff and making some as well, tons of great color choices. Also ladies can even go to their local thrift store and get shirts there to use!
Anyway, thanks for your tips, hope mine are of any help as well. Good luck ladies!!! Congrats to all mommies!!
What a great idea! This is definitely a winner! I don’t think it would work so well with my tummy, because I feel it might roll up or down the wrong way, and wouldn’t look quite right. I think I have a little too much tummy and I’m NOT pregnant!
I hate to say it, but I’m NOT pregnant and I need a few of these. Thanks for the great idea!
This is great!!! I have a few shirts already cut up but what type of thread do I use? What type of stitch works best for the stretchy fabric?
Thanks,
Joanna
The best thing about it is it looks really good and trendy, sort of like slip. Getting maternity clothes looking good is always the hardest part of being preggy.
Great post! Finding instructions on how to make these has been tough. And then I was trying to figure out how to make it seamless too so that’s where I got stuck.
I’m glad so many people have found this post useful! To answer Joanna’s question, I just used whatever matching thread I had on hand and did a (sloppy) zig-zag stitch.
Hey, I just thought I’d let everyone know that you can find the perfect belly band substitute at Walmart! They have these tube tops that are reversible. One side is a cute print, and the other side is a solid color. So you get two in one. Also, they stretch pretty well - I used to be a 10 before being pregnant. Now I’m a 16/18 - and my tummy still looks awful despite working out and eating right. Anyway, I bought the XL size and it fits perfectly. And the weight of the fabric is enough to cinch in your waist - and it doesn’t roll down. Sweet! They’re $7 at the store and $8.88 online. Here is the addresses for both:
Cantaloupe colored: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=9202908
Cherry Tomato colored:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=9202914
There are more color selections in store. But if they don’t have these at your Walmart or they’re out of your size, the website is still a pretty decent deal. 97cent shipping!
What an absolutely brilliant idea! Wish I’d seen this one a couple of pregancies ago.
Your comment about flying really rang true for me too. Even when I’m flying and NOT pregnant, one part of me wants to wear the sloppiest most comfortable sweats I can find, while the other part thinks I should dress like a grown-up and wear real clothes. I usually end up looking like a slob, but I do feel a bit guilty about it!
To Melissa and anyone else looking to prevent stretchmarks…. Bag Balm is the best thing that I have found so far. It has been 8 years since my last pregnancy and I made the mistake of using “mothers friend”. Well that pink crap was not my friend. ((sad face)) It lied to me and left a 16 year old young mother scarred for life. I returned to school and my favorite male teacher told me that he had purchased “Bag Balm” for his wife and she had not one stretch mark. Since then I have given it to all of my friends as they have enjoyed pregnancy and not one of them has gotten a stretchmark, or any new ones if they already had some. I’m 24 now and I look forward to using it on myself on this,my second time around. I know that it is available at Walgreens and some Wal-marts. It comes in a green tin can with a cow on it. It’s thick as all get out and doesn’t smell wonderful, but the scent is tolerable and worth no stretckmarks. Who knows if you wear a diy belly band you might not notice the scent at all LOL!
Also I am the owner of an online clothing store and I have tons of stretchy tunic tops with empire waists that are really cute and would accommodate a growing belly.
I don’t have international shipping rates posted but I will get right on it. Stop by and check it out.
www.EastAStreet.com
My mom will like this , bz she is tailor & I will give her this cool idea , plus she will gift me this kind of dress bz she dont likes me wearing shorts.
Cheers Mom , I love you.
Hey this is a great idea!! Isn’t is funny what fabulous things you find on the internet. I can’t wait to look through my old cloths and make some of these. I often fly and ALWAYS have to undo my button, and now I have a great way of doing it.
Thanks for the info
Lucy stretch mark expert
Thank you so much for such a great idea! I found some spandex and cotton tank tops at Walmart on the clearance rack for $3, and they are working great without their tops and made into bands. Now I’m wearing my old cute jeans I can’t button anymore instead of too-big maternity clothes that make my rear look huge. Thanks!!
Thanks for the rubber band trick. Will come in handy.
Today i went to the DI (like goodwill) and bought a three small stretchy tank tops, cut off the top, and used some iron-on adhesive strips from walmart to seal the edges.. they are working great so far! I made 3 for about 8 dollars. 5 for the tank tops, and 3 for the adhesive. Plus it only took me about like 30 minutes to get them all converted. They do require some adjustment, probably just like the bella band.. but they are good I think for a temporary fix while I am growing too fat for me pre-pregnancy pants
Hope it helps! No sewing required whatsoever.
OH, and as well, i sewed a piece of elastic on my jeans by the button hole, and cut a slit for the button, and voila, instant tab-holder-downer/smoother, that is really comfortable and elastic to keep them closed and not ever bulky under my home-made bands.
What a great idea and great for mamas on a budget. Thank you for sharing.
brilliant!! i’m heading to goodwill today. saves me lots of money on something i’ll hardly ever use again.
thanks!
Thank you! I just bought two (@ least it was two for the price of one) on eBay and wish I’d have read this first. Brilliant. Ah, necessity is the mother of invention!
I’m dying to try this on my own! I cannot justify spending $25 on a tube of fabric when I rarely spend that much on an entire outfit!
Gee, this is one great saving tip! Just $25 a piece alone can help you cut down expenses on maternity cloths since you’ve able to hold back your purchases later.
In the economy we’re facing now, every penny saved is a penny earned. Thanks a lot!
[…] or make a “half undershirt” (this pattern is for maternity, but it is the same […]
These ideas are exactly what I have been looking for. I am 10 weeks (2nd pregnancy) and gained a little weight before the pregnancy. I am a size 8. My lower belly baby bump is showing a lot earlier. It pushes up and adds to the extra weight i gained. I don’t like this stage because you can’t tell if I gained more weight or might be prego. When I tried the belly band, it helped hold up the jeans, but created a flab role over the top of the band. After reading this, I found a tank top camsisole that is made for shaping/slimming. Its not too tight but holds my jeans up. I cut the top “Bra area” off and now have a wider band that covers from the bottom of the zipper on my pants and up to right under my breast. It contours the upper half of my belly and back and holds my jeans up. I no longer look half prego on the bottom and half flab on the top. Thanks for the ideas!!!
Okay, that was an absolutely brilliant idea. It turned out so well and it saved you money and got another life as well!
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THANK YOU for the advice! I had been considering whether or not to spend $30 on the piece of fabric that I desparately needed for comfort, and googled how to make a BellaBand, not thinking about just cutting up something to make one. I sliced and diced a few of my old too small undershirts, and am now sporting five different colors of comfort! Thank you!
I continue to be amazed at the popularity of this post. I’m so glad so many mamas are finding it useful!! Best wishes for a fabulous pregnancy, Amanda!