Tips For Sewing Childrens Clothing That Fits Well

CHILDREN’S clothes are constructed and sewn just like adult’s clothes, but there are certain special points it is wise to consider.

Sizes are usually chosen according to chest measurement, not age. Pattern sizes range like this:

Children’s sizes, 6 months to 4 years
Size                 ½          1          2    3    4    6
Hip                20        21         22    23    24    26
Chest             19        20        21    22    23    24
Waist             19        l9½      20    2O½    21    22

Girls’ sizes, 5 to 13 years
Size                  7          8    10    12    14
Hip                27        28    30    32½    35
Chest            25        26    28    30    32
Waist             22½      23    24    25    26

There must be plenty of room for freedom of movement. Simplicity is the keynote for good-looking children’s clothes. Make plenty of provision for growth by taking deep hems; putting in gathers and tucks which can later be let out; and adding tucks to shoulder straps which can later act as an ex¬tension.

Children of very young age should be encouraged to develop independence, by giving them openings down the front and buttonholes large enough for them to handle. Plackets should be large and easily accessible. It is a good idea to reinforce points of hard wear, such as extra stitching around arm-holes, self-patches on elbows and knees, stay pieces under pockets.

It is a good idea to make outdoor clothes very colorful so that children are visible to motorists and to mothers looking for a child who is temporarily not where he is expected to be. The best fabrics are soft, smooth cottons of firm and even weave.

Durability is vital. Use flat, smooth seams and finishes in construction. No irritant should be allowed. Line any article that might possibly rub or create friction. Babies need very fine soft materials and flat, non-irritating seams. Allow room for growth and movement. Almost all children’s clothes should be washable and easily ironed. Watch for color fastness and shrinkage control. Avoid a lot of fussiness; decoration should be neat and serviceable, usually in narrow lines for best effect.

Do not use deep yokes and very wide embroidery edgings. When making party clothes, consider your time, for the number of times this type of garment is worn is usually very limited. Therefore, don’t finish seams as carefully, and try to use short cuts.

Don’t cut down adult clothing for children without a thought. Children’s clothing should be becoming and suitable. If the fabric is definitely a grown-up one, then don’t use it for children. Develop proper attitudes towards becomingness, neatness and suitability of clothes in your children early in life, and the habits will stick.

For More Indepth Step-By-Step Sewing Instructions With Examples & Pictures, Click The Image Below.

How To Sew A Self-Help Bib For A Small Child

The simplest yet one of the most useful and indispensable items of a small child’s wardrobe is a bib for use at mealtime. The process of learning to eat brings many mishaps, and clothes need to be well protected with bibs designed for the purpose.

Makeshifts, such as towels or napkins tied or pinned about the neck, roll up in the way and are an actual hindrance. Click Here To Continue Reading…

"The Top 27 Sewing Problems & How To Solve Them…Here Are A Number Of Links To A Few Useful Free Articles That Show You How!" 

Over 72.3% of sewing enthusiasts, whether at the  beginner, intermediate, or advance level in their sewing, have agreed that these topics are by far, some of the most troublesome to execute.

So, we have taken the liberty to compile a list for you, to help in answering some of these tough sewing questions.

While this is by no means an exhaustive list, as I’m sure we might have missed quite a few things, feel free to use it to improve your sewing.

P.S. Do You Think We Missed Anything?
If You Feel We Did, CLICK HERE And Tell Us So We Can Add It In The Future

Re-Adjusting Tight Sleeves 

Pressing Your Clothes