Hello, I am looking for a cute but simple (and easy) pattern for a shirt, for a 2-year-old boy. I would prefer one that had a nice collar and long sleeves. Any recommendations? I'm also searching for a cute but simple pattern for a dress, for a
2-year-old girl. Any recommendations for that one?Thanks!
-- Jo in Scotland
Hi Jo "Kwik Sew" has some darling baby and children's patterns. I've used "Kwik Sew" patterns, though never for clothing, and I'm pleased with how simple they are. Sew Thankful carries many, many Kwik Sew patterns, and they ship overseas. Take a look at this link, and see if there's anything that suits you. HTH.
Baby and Children's Wearables & Gift Patterns at Threads, patterns, MORE! Address:
Jo, you'll want to be paying attention when choosing a pattern. Many of them are for knits only and just won't work well for a woven fabric. And do pay attention to your choice of fabric. Mama's Not going to thank you if you select something that wants to be ironed. Polly
Johanna, if you're going to be sewing for these kids often, you might want the KwikSew books "Sewing for Toddlers" and "Sewing for Children". These books have both the basic patterns for all sizes and sewing instructions for both knits and wovens, and lots of ideas on how to make all sorts of changes to the basics for different looks. "Toddlers" covers roughly ages 1-4 (chest 20-23"), "Children" 4-12 (chest 24-30").
I don't think I've ever met a Kwiksew pattern that didn't sew well.
Kay
Hi Kay, I have only used 1 Kwick Sew for a ladies jacket and it turned out huge, I am not experienced dressmaker so just though it was me. Maybe I should have tried a smaller pattern, do they sew out large? Ann
I find them right on the money, but there are several things that could have happened to your jacket.
1) ease amounts may be larger than you expected (check for "fitted", "semi-fitted" etc. in the pattern description. For instance, I prefer "semi-fitted" ease amounts for myself, which is about 4.5-5.75" at bust and 3-4" at hip. "Fitted" would give 3.75-4.25"" at bust and 2-3" at hip for jackets. "Loose fitting" runs 6-10" ease at bust ant 4=6" at hip for jackets. Analyze the design and see if you can go down a size or two if the pattern has more design ease than you like. 2) miscutting: just a smidge outside the cutting line adds up. Or a slight curvature of the cutting surface you're working on. 3) miss-sewing: again, just a smidge off and you've got problems. Patterns drafted with a 5/8" seam allowance and sewn with a 15 mm seam allowance are off by nearly 1 mm. Add that to a miscut seam allowance and you've got 2-3 mm off per seam allowance. With a princess-seamed garment, thats' 6 seams x 6 mm = 3.6 cm too big around. 4) stretching the fabric during handling: stay stitch those necklines and shoulders and any other bias areas ASAP, then check them against the pattern. Keep cut pieces flat and not hanging over the back of a chair or the edge of a table before sewing.There are probably other possibilities, too... but those are the issues I've run into with teaching quilters garment sewing.
Kay
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