Sewing your own scrubs

renerian, BSN, RN · Jan 12, 2003

Thanks I will check out the patterns.

renerian

Audreyfay · Jan 12, 2003

I used to sew all mine. We could only use a certain "teal" fabric and a "spirit" print. I could have purchased them, but I enjoy wearing skirts and dresses. None of the pre-sewn ones would be long enough. It actually worked very nice. But, I had to purchase the material from a uniform shop. Did not save money, but had very nice scrubs that fit perfectly!

suenurse54 · Jan 15, 2003

I make mine because I have a pear-shaped figure and regular scrub tops don't fit me right. They are too wide in the shoulders and too narrow in the hips(on me). I bought a pattern for standard scrubs and altered it to fit me( this requires basic tailoring knowledge). This allows me to look like everyone else and still have flattering clothes to wear. I made mine out of Wrinkle Ease cotton. Nice and soft, drapes well, and no ironing. Store-bought scrubs tend to be made out of cheap material, too. I even made a set out of poly/rayon.

Sue

Heather333 · Jan 15, 2003

I make my own scrub tops. I usually buy the pants.

Heather

RNforLongTime · Jan 15, 2003

Well, I don't have to wear my own scrubs anymore as I work in ICU and my facility provides scrubs for us to wear.

renearmr · Nov 17, 2008

I am interesting in sewing scrubs for my daughter in law, who's just entered nursing school. I was wondering if any of you would like to give me tips on pattern preference or choice or just tips to make them "favorite" scrubs such as deeper pockets, etc.

Many thanks to all of you,

renearmr

teeniebert, LPN · Nov 18, 2008

A lot of women are wearing the 'mock wrap' tops now; I prefer a looser fit but I like having two patch pockets at the bottom of my scrub shirts. I've always hated tucking my shirt in, and having those pockets gives me a perfect excuse not to! Here are a few patterns--I've used the B4946 with decent results but it's a less current style.

http://www.butterick.com/item/B4946.htm??tab=sleepwear_maternity_men_uniforms&page=3

http://www.butterick.com/item/B5301.htm??tab=sleepwear_maternity_men_uniforms&page=1

http://www.simplicity.com/dv1_v4.cfm?design=3633

uscstu4lfe · Nov 18, 2008

i have admiration for anyone that has the time/energy/motivation to actually sew their own scrubs. fascinating!

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Nov 18, 2008

i am interesting in sewing scrubs for my daughter in law, who's just entered nursing school. i was wondering if any of you would like to give me tips on pattern preference or choice or just tips to make them "favorite" scrubs such as deeper pockets, etc.
many thanks to all of you,
renearmr

what a cool thread to resurrect!

i sewed my own scrubs for years, mainly because i was overweight. i found white denim or poplin that i would buy by the bolt. we had to wear all white in most places i worked back then. the poplin made great pants.

when we were allowed to go to pastels (not prints) for tops i used weaver's cloth because it was heavier and wore very well. i used an old smock pattern which i tweaked. instead of buttons down the front i often inserted a long zipper or just turned it into a slip over. i lined or doubled up the fabric on the pockets because they really took a beating with all the junk i carried around in them. finished pockets were 9" by 9" and had a double row of stitching around all 3 sides. i never got a hole in them and i could carry a flashlight that had 2 size c batteries in it quite nicely. later when i needed scrubs, i basically made them in the shape of a "t" with a v-notch in the front.

today most of the major commercial pattern makers have a scrub pattern and one or two are the $2.99 bargain ones. if you know how to sew, any basic pattern can be used. comfort and being able to move in them is a prime consideration because nurses are constantly pulling or pushing things. i think the pattern designers are seeing the worth of the basic design of the scrub and i have been seeing it creeping into other designs--a different treatment for the neck or sleeve and you have a different look. but it is still a scrub.

pyrazen · Nov 18, 2008

My MIL makes all my scrubs, tops & bottoms. She says it is easier than trying to tailor the commercial ones to fit me. I am TINY so the only scrubs to fit right are little kid ones. I am learning how to make them. Pants are easy, tops not so much.

Flare, ASN, BSN · Nov 18, 2008

I've made my own in the past -then i lost my sewing room to a long term house guest... sigh... I will probably start up again this winter now that my sewing room has been vacated (hooray!!! :yeah: no wait... i'm happier than that...:hpygrp:)