Does anyone sew their own uniforms?

TazziRN, RN · May 14, 2006

I haven't but my MIL sews mine for me. I gave her an old scrub top of mine that she tore apart and created a pattern out of. She later found a pattern at a fabric store, from McCall's, I think.

LPN1974, LPN · May 14, 2006

I don't, but a co-worker of mine, has a friend who sews all her scrub tops for her.

However, I am quite adept at sewing. Used to sew alot. I could sew a scrub top if I wanted to, but those tops at WalMart are so cheap, I buy those.

But my advice for sewing would be to look for a pattern at WalMart that has the Raglan sleeves.....don't get the ones with the set-in sleeves. I think the Raglan would be easier to do. You know what they are....the sleeves are cut right in with the top...not separate from the top.

Get the most simple pattern you can find, with as few pattern pieces as possible, and you should do great. The more detail, the more complicated it gets. Then when you get more confident with it, you could go towards more detail.

We had a scrub uniform shop here in my town that made scrubs....{unfortunately her shop burned down} but I didn't like her scrubs because the material was too thick. It tended to be hot and uncomfortable during the summer.

So look for material that is wash and wear and would be "cool" and comfortable.

That's all I can think of.

Oh, one more thing....be careful of whites....white material that is too thin, can show all your undies.

tntrn, ASN, RN · May 14, 2006

I do make my own scrubs. I like the jackets longer than the ones provided in house, and I make my pockets BIG! I also make my sleeves 3/4 length and fold them back into a cuff. Those stretchy cuffs on sleeves and pant legs just don't work for me and the pants look like clown pants. IMHO, of course.

I would stay away from scrub tops that go over the head because in the event of a a spill, I don't want to take that soiled fabric anyway near my face. In fact, I make scurb jackets and wear simple tee shirts underneath.

The McCall's pattern, and I'll bet Simplicity has one too, does have set-in sleeves, but the armseyes are big and roomy, so they aren't hard to do at all. Not everybody looks good in the raglan style.

allnurses Guide · May 14, 2006

Simplicity pattern #5472, has pants, top and jacket. The sleeves are not set in, and it's a really easy pattern. I can now do a top in an afternoon, with practice it just keeps getting easier.

:penguin:

DirtRoads · May 14, 2006

Thanks for all the responses! I will definately look for the patterns that you all mentioned. I agree that the tops at Wal-mart are cheap enough but I live in a small town and I don't like showing up dressed like 2 or 3 other people, lol. I know that our work isn't a fashion show so no need to start harping on me . . . I love my job and I want to make original pieces to wear. So once again, thanks for the advice!

Daytonite, BSN, RN · May 14, 2006

Kandie, I've been sewing my own uniforms for years, at least when we had to wear white and plain pastel tops. Several of the pattern companies have scrub patterns. You can view them over the internet by going to their websites. That way you won't have to sit down in the fabric stores looking through pattern books. Do you know the names of the major pattern makers? McCalls, Simplicity, Butterick, Burda.

I used to use white poplin for pants. It's just like white denim. Very heavy and wears well. Broke a few sewing machine needles because I do French seaming on all my garments. For pastel tops I used to use Weaver's Cloth. It has to be ironed until it's been washed a few times, but it is also a thicker cloth and wears very well. I don't like using most of the calicos for prints because they are too thin and you can see through the lighter colored ones.

I always made my pockets large (I called them Captain Kangaroo pockets!) 9 inches by 9 inches finished. They were doubled over with fusible interfacing between the two layers of material so they wouldn't wear and get holes. I sewed them to the uniform with a double set of stitches to make sure they stayed in place and the thread didn't unravel. I carried a lot of stuff in my pockets! I also mentioned that I put French seams in them. This is a double sewn seam that is very strong and will not pull apart.

Before they had scrub patterns I used to just cut a T out of material, form a neck and finish off the edges. Well, it was a scrub! I also had an old smock pattern that I used to make tops for many years. I did many things with it. I put a zipper in it sometimes instead of buttons. Sometimes I took the front closure off and made it a pull over top. I also changed the collar around to different styles a lot too. The point I'm trying to make is that I always made a uniform that was going to be functional and not so much a fashion statement.

Gennaver, MSN · May 14, 2006

I did a search before I posted but it was unsuccessful, I was wondering if anyone here sews their own scrubs? I want to try it, only I don't know where to begin . . . I was hoping someone would be willing to give me basics and pointers. I have about 5-6 weeks of post op recovery time ahead of me, so thought I would use that time to read up on sewing. Thanks so much for any help.
Kandie

Hiya,

A couple of my former coworkers have sewn thier own and other's scrubs. There are patterns you can buy or create your own from a pair of scrubs that fit you just right.

As a person with a non-regular body I think this is a great idea!

Good luck and happy sewing and comfortable wearing. :)

Gen

p.s edited to add: My mom told me that whenever she sews a new pattern that at first she will use the "practice fabric-forgot name" to make sure the pattern fits and to test it to try on to make sure that she doesn't ruin the good fabric or the chosen fabric for a pattern! Good to remember, in my teen years I wasted a couple of outfits from not sewing them on the practice fabric first! Hey, I ought to get a sewing maching again...

Daytonite, BSN, RN · May 16, 2006

p.s edited to add: My mom told me that whenever she sews a new pattern that at first she will use the "practice fabric-forgot name" to make sure the pattern fits and to test it to try on to make sure that she doesn't ruin the good fabric or the chosen fabric for a pattern! Good to remember, in my teen years I wasted a couple of outfits from not sewing them on the practice fabric first! Hey, I ought to get a sewing maching again...

She probably used that 99 cent a yard white or beige colored muslin. It's used to create the base for many of those fancy sequined costumes you see dancers wear. These muslin garments can also be tailored (nipped and tucked) to fit the person first and then be taken apart to become the customized pattern for the individual. This is how the professionals create perfect fitting clothing for their clients.

Rigby · Jun 29, 2007

I've sewn many of mine - particularly for holidays. Also, my sister the Freeze Baby is a CRNA and since it's so cold in the OR, I've made scrubs that are lined with chamois. She LOVES them! Only problem with my handmade scrubs - they last forever and I get sick of them.

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Jun 29, 2007

New Look by Simplicity has dolman sleeve (not set-in) patterns. I sew all my scrub tops - at $2 a yard and 2 yards a top, why not?

angel4gramma · Jun 29, 2007

I made tops for my mom when she worked. It started because she wanted a pocket on top for her cigarettes. I just used an old top for a pattern. She would buy the material she wanted. I just made 3 pockets. She loved it.