Sewing For
Children
Sewing for children is wonderful and fun! Because they're so small they require very little fabric! Check out the remnant table for some cute fabrics at reduced prices! Don't forget- matching outfits are really sweet, whether it is mother/daughter or brother/sister! But don't forget to take pictures!
*NEW* Extending Coat Wear...
From: Renee'
When making jackets or coats for children I like to make them a little larger around and add a bit to the length. Then, I add about a 4 to six-inch long lining to the inside wrist area of the sleeves in a co-ordinating print that matches the jacket lining (like a warm flannel plaid) instead of just hemming the sleeves the conventional way. That way I can fold them back a couple of inches forming a cuff and as they grow the cuff can just be adjusted or even pulled down completely. You can easily get two years wear this way!
*NEW* In-Expensive Fittings
From: Renee'
Want to know if that pattern will fit your child before you cut into that expensive fabric? Try cutting the yoke out of paper towels and sewing it together and trying that on the child first! It is a cheap and easy method!
Coordinated Outfits (Applique)
From: Renee'
Making coordinated outfits for kids is a snap! Just pick out your fabric and make the shorts. Pick out a dominant pattern in the material, if possible, to applique to the solid color shirt front. This can be a store-bought shirt, too! If you can't find a suitable pattern in the fabric, make your own pattern! Try a flower, umbrella, circles, train, a whale, balloons, scottie dog, or funny shapes to cut out of the fabric. Have fun! Kids coloring books are great for simple shapes! Set your machine to zig-zag and applique in place! Voila! Inexpensive and very cute!
From Cute to Fabulous!
From: Renee'
Buy an extra bit of fabric and make a hairband, hairbow, or hat for the special little girl in your life! This adds alot of personality to an outfit and is sooooo precious! A hat and skirt made of a plaid material with appliqued scottie dogs is adorable and costs MUCH less than a similar store-bought outfit. Paired with a solid color shirt and you have a wonderful back-to-school outfit!
*Note: Pattern companies often feature patterns with hairbows, bands and hats by themselves to offer more design choices. There are usually many different sizes all in one convenient pattern so you need only buy it once!
Making Quick Sleeves!
From: Renee'
When making children's small garments it's a good idea to gather the sleeve (if required), do the finished hem on the sleeve, attach the sleeve to the bodice sleeve opening BEFORE closing the sleeve itself. This means that you can make one long seam from the underside of the sleeve all the way down enclosing the side of the bodice. This eliminates the need to work with the tiny sleeve opening and finishes the shirt in a jiffy! This works well on doll clothes, also!
Does your tip or idea belong here? email me and let me know! I'd love to add YOUR
name to our growing list of sewing friends!
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...other sewists have been here since 5/28/99!