Laura Singer has put together a photo tutorial to show how she modified my “Swing” Dress pattern to work for a nursing mother:   Hello Mrs. Chancey, I contacted you a while ago about your recommendations for making the swing dress nursing friendly. I documented the process in a photo tutorial on my blog, which [...]

Modifying my Regency Gown Pattern is extremely simple. I've shown in my Diary of a Dress how to add a train, make an overskirt and add other fancy embellishments to a ballgown. The purpose of this section is to demonstrate how the bodice can easily be changed to button up the front rather than down the back (especially nice for nursing mothers!). I'll also include instructions on how to modify the skirt front for expectant moms.

This is a unique version of my 1910s Tea Gown, complete with nursing access in the center panel (see the snap detail).Love the color scheme with the chocolate browns and that yummy pink rosette! Thank you to Anna of Pleasant View Schoolhouse and Giles for the photos!

Here are photos of the finished Romantic nursing dress. Thanks so much for your help in shortening the bodice! I ended up using the 1914 cap sleeve for a more “modern” look. My friend loves this dress and says it is very comfortable. This pattern is so versatile–she can wear it throughout pregnancy and nursing. [...]

Lydia has been busy modifying the Regency Gown pattern to create a couple of lovely nursing dresses. She also took the child’s pattern and shrunk it for her baby daughter! She writes, Both of these dresses are nursing dresses, and I am so happy with how easily they came together once I decided to make [...]

Carol created these lovely outfits from my 1914 Afternoon Dress pattern (navy) and my Regency Gown pattern (white). She used the instructions from the 1914 pattern to create the secret nursing access on the Regency gown, which worked splendidly!