Sewing for a toddler. Need easy patterns

HI, All, I haven't sewn for a long time and I know things have changed. I'd like to make something for my granddaughter but I need something easy that uses fabric that is easy to work with. Also do patterns come true-to-size? If I buy T2, will it be the size of T2s in the stores?

I have no idea where to start.

Thanks much! Myrna

Reply to
Myrna
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Try to find patterns which claim they are "quick" or "easy", although that's not always a guarantee. I like the looks of:

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it's been a long time since I sewed for a toddler. I also like Simplicity
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although some here don't. And pay attention to the "suggested fabric" guidelines on the back of the pattern.

Noooooooo!!! Go to:

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on "Tech Center" | click on "Standard Body Measurement Chart" | click on "Toddlers" and you'll find *pattern industry* standard measurements. Patterns don't (usually) come in "1T", "2T", etc. If your granddaughter is not in your area, ask her mother/father to take those measurements, and *buy the pattern which most closely matches* the child's *actual* measurements. The first link on the Vogue Tech Center site has "How to measure" directions.

A good book for beginning (or returning) sewists is: The Reader's Digest New Complete Guide to Sewing"

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will get you up to speed on newer fabrics, and techniques. And come back here to ask! We love getting more people involved in our favorite sport!

NAYY,

Beverly

Reply to
BEI Design

The "Big Three" patterns are sized for baby elephants. Try Kwik-Sew.

Olwyn Mary in New Orleans.

Reply to
Olwyn Mary

No patterns are the size of ready-to-wear! Kwick Sew are good, and sized for growth. For James I found they were nothing like long enough, once he got to toddler sizes, but he *is* tall: 98th percentile all the way! (Now, at 12, he's as tall as me - 5'3"!)

Reply to
Kate Dicey

master patter that has multiple sizes and styles. Just don't forget to buy tracing paper so you can draw out the patterns. You don't want to cut your master pattern. The book is well worth the money because it covers a lot of sizes. Juno

Reply to
Juno

Hi Kate, I Know what it is to have "giants" for children!! My 18yr old D is just over

6ft (still grow>
Reply to
romanyroamer

I did a bridesmaid gown for a lass who was 6'2" this last summer. She looked fantastic, and luckily was one to stand proud and straight in her flat shoes! :) I could certainly use a couple more inches in the leg department... My younger sister is 5'11 or so, and her two lads are both tall. One is lean but muscular and very sporty (rugby, golf, cricket, judo... ) and the other a tall skinny grown-in-the-dark weed, as she puts it (he's actually quite active, though not the sport freak his older brother is). My sister has always had trouble getting clothes long enough for them that didn't wrap round three times on the width! James is the other way... As wide as he's tall! Not fat (carries a leetle extra round the middle, but I'm encouraging that to go!), but far from fat. He's just built like a brick netty! I blame his grandfathers! Alan's dad was 6'3" at his full height (he's shrunk a bit at 87), and mine, while only 5'10", was very broad across the shoulders:

44" chest, 36" waist at his best rugby playing weight!

James has very rarely worn things out before he outgrew them, even if bought or made big, with 'room to grow'! :( Being able to sew when your kids are odd sizes and shapes is a real advantage, except when they want to be dressed in the same stuff as all the rest so they don't stand out too much!

Reply to
Kate Dicey

Thanks for your responses! It's all a bit intimidating!

Reply to
Myrna

No,No,No. It's fun. Give it a try. We'll help you every step of the way. I love to make children's clothes. You don't have the fiddly fit of adults clothing usually and they kids think your a genius. One of my granddaughters, age 7, thinks I can make anything in the world. It's great for my ego.It also makes me work harder so I don't disappoint her. Juno

Reply to
Juno

I don't have grands yet, but son James still thinks I can make almost anything in no time flat!

Reply to
Kate Dicey

It can be if you look at the whole process, but if you break it down, step-by-step, there's nothing you can't do - especially since you can always ask for help here! Don't let yourself be overwhelmed - start by selecting a pattern and some fabric that feels good and looks good. Don't hurry. Take your time.

Reply to
Pogonip

You are all terrific!! Yes, I think of the overall picture and get scared. I'd like to make something simple like a jumper or pants with elastic waist. I looked at the links that were suggested. First, none of them suggest light weight courdoroy which used to be common for kid's winter stuff, and I know this was easy to sew with. So much has changed. Then I see how expensive the patterns are and I wonder if it's worth it. Comments? Myrna

Reply to
Myrna

Dear Myrna, I'd like to again suggest the Kwik Sew Book for toddlers. The master pattern gives you about 25 variations to make along with how to use woven or knit fabrics. Remember corduroy is a woven so it can easily be used. I think the book is about $25.00. That works out to about $1.00 a patterns. Since they are all multiple sized you will have them for a while. I've been using mine for 5 years now. I have 9 grandchildren, 5 of them are still in the size range for that Here's a link to where you can get the book.

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've been very happy with sewBaby. They have a nice fabric selection also. This page tells you just what you can make from this book. Take a look, I think you'll be pleased with what you see.I have no connection to them, just a happy customer.Juno

Reply to
Juno

My feelings exactly, Juno. My children & grandchildren still like me to sew things for them. Emily

Reply to
CypSew

Replying to myself: I was re-arranging my sewing books today and came across one I'd misplaced sometime back. The title is SEW & GO KIDS by Jasmine Hubble. It's similar to the Kwik-Sew; a set of paper patterns of 30 different items for sizes 2-8. Believe it or not, I was able to get 2 copies for $1.50 each at Half-Price Books with all patterns complete & uncut. I gave one to my great-niece, who has 3 children under 6, and of course, I kept one to make DGD several outfits. She will be 8 in less than three weeks, but is wearing a size 5, except in length. Another DN just had her 1st DGD, so by the time she is old enough to wear size 2, this one will be passed on. For $3.00, we can outfit several little children, boys & girls. Emily

Reply to
CypSew

Aren't books like that wonderful. You get all those amazing choices for next to nothing and the clothes are just right for young children. Come on Myrna, jump in and join us sewing. We really want to get you going and help when needed. Juno

Reply to
Juno

Juno wrote: I third Kwik Sew. I like the book sewing for toddlers. It comes with a

Hi,

My copy of Kwik-Sew sewing for toddlers arrived today. I haven't had much chance to look at it yet though. First thing I did was to check the master patterns were there, and the second thing was to make sure DD didn't eat or rip them! LOL! (She was sitting on my lap as I opened the parcel).

I managed to pick this up for just under 10UKP including postage through Amazon marketplace.

I'm totally not into childrens clothes sizes yet, what sort of age does T1 cover? I noticed it was for a 20" chest - DD's chest is nearly that already and shes only 10 months old! I must measure her length - I would say height but she's not walking yet.

Now, I must work out where to buy large quantities of tracing paper in the UK (I usually use grease proof paper but that is not necessarily the cheapest way to go) and find some time...... or hope that by the time DD grows into the first pattern size, I might have more time to sew!

Sarah

Reply to
Sarah Dale

Children's clothes as with adults you need to measure. Sizes are not the same as RTW. I do think though that Kwik sew is pretty close. Just don't hold me to it. Ask Kate about tracing paper, She's probably your best information source on that. Kwik Sews children's things go together rather easily. I think you'll be very pleased with the results. Have fun. I just ordered a Kwik Sew pattern, KS-2704, for feetie PJ's today. My 4 y/o grandson was very upset that the Sponge Bob fleece ones I made him no longer fit. When DD told me, I reminded her that I made them 2 years ago. That will be part of my xmas sewing. His bog brother will be getting flannel PJ pants. Juno

Reply to
Juno

Plain white tissue paper works, and it's very cheap in the US. So does wax paper, which may be your greaseproof paper -- it's a thin paper coated with paraffin wax, used for covering foods before clingfilm became available. Use something moderately dull to trace on it -- a fork tine works well. Heavy polyethylene or vinyl film also works, of the sort that might be used to make a temporary window. With light behind something to be traced, almost any lightweight paper will work -- my standard is unprinted newsprint.

Reply to
Kay Lancaster

Wow, with everyone's help, I may get started soon, but here's my first questions:

Does the Kwik Sew book use US measurements as opposed to metric? It's a bit off-putting to see that the sizes go from 4 - 12. What kind of sizing is this?

Myrna

Reply to
Myrna

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