Now for something I come back to time and time again - when shopping for fabric and
notions for your children, always buy the best quality you can find and/or afford. Why put
so much time, money and love into a garment that won't survive the first wash? Have you
ever wondered why two apparently similar fabrics have a huge price difference? Often, that
difference is due to quality. The original plain fabrics used to print on may have been of
differing quality. The inks and the dying process used might not be the same. The fabrics
may look very similar on the bolt but the difference will become apparent after washing.
Better quality fabrics really are worth the money!
When buying fabrics for kids - make sure the fabrics work well with their lifestyle.
Fabrics that require a lot of special care are usually not well-suited for kids. Kids
generally need clothes that can be washed and worn, and are highly durable. Fabrics that
do not require ironing, knits for example, are great because they do not crease and still
look good at the end of the day. With all the back-to-school sewing for the big kids,
don't forget your little ones! Just because they are not going to school doesn't mean you
can't sew for them too. This is a great time of year to make something in the toddler or
baby department. I find that after spending hours making something for my eldest, it is so
nice to put together a simple play suit for my youngest. The pieces are a lot smaller, the
whole project goes together quickly. And remember, a ten month old won't complain about
what you have made, in fact, she'll probably just drool over it!!
When sewing for back-to-school, it is easy to forget about all the other great
accessories you can make. Accessories can be quick projects and are great ways to use up
all those small pieces of fabric. Make scrunchies to go with girls outfits but don't just
stop there. Hats are a great addition to an outfit and are always great to wear. Hats help
keep the sun off in summer and the warmth in during winter. Other uses for scraps include
bags, backpacks and lunch bags.
With all this said and done - HAVE FUN!! There are no fashion and sewing police out
there so enjoy what you are doing and try something different. Mix and match buttons,
combine two different color separating zippers together to make a new zipper combination.
Don't feel that you have to follow the pattern exactly - take a chance and you might be
surprised how well the whole thing turns out!! Sewing for back-to-school is great.
Tips for Sewing for Children
Fabric Preparation
When you arrive home with your new fabric, pre-wash and dry it if necessary. This way,
when you have a few moments you can start your project right away without waiting to wash
and dry the fabric. The practice of only placing washed fabric in your sewing room helps
to avoid confusion down the road as to what fabric is ready to go and what is not.
Pattern Size
Choose a pattern which suits your sewing ability and can be reused. If I am sewing a size
4, I often look for a pattern that would offer a size 4-8 so I can use the pattern for
future projects. It is a good idea to trace the pattern pieces rather than cutting them
out, so that you can later reuse the pattern in a different size. If you find a pattern
you like, stick with it. Years ago, I found a pant pattern for my son that fit him really
well. I am still using that pattern for him. Because I am now very familiar with the
pattern, I can add creative details like pockets or color-blocking to make each new
version unique.
Age-Appropriate Clothing
Be sure to make the clothing appropriate for the age of the child. For an infant, install
snaps in the legs to make diaper changes quick and easy. It doesn't matter how great an
outfit looks, if you have to pull it over a crying baby's head six times a day, you will
pick a different outfit next time. For young children, make the clothing simple so they
can dress themselves without difficulty. Use elastic waist bands rather than fly zippers
and buttons to reduce frustration during those mad dashes to the bathroom when
potty-training.
Allow for growth
Children grow so fast and they are hard on their clothes. Since you are putting a lot of
time and creative energy into making their clothes, you will want to ensure that they
last. To allow for maximum wear, try some of the following ideas:
1.Add length on pants and sleeves by making roll-up cuffs in a contrasting color.
2.Make dresses for girls longer with drop waists allowing them to last another season.
3.If cuffs on a long sleeve shirt wear out, shorten the sleeves and make it in to a
T-shirt.
4.Lengthen straps on overalls and use overall clips to allow for adjustment.
5.Consider sewing the next size up.
6.Reinforce seams that will take the most abuse (e.g. crotch seams).
7.Reinforce knees with a double thickness of fabric.
8.Sew garments which are age-appropriate. A dress for a crawler is not a good daily
wear item because it will only frustrate the child and make crawling difficult.
9.Make items reversible, thereby getting two items in one.
10.Look at the colors in the child's closest and buy fabrics that co-ordinate with what
is already there. This makes outfit selection easier for your child (and you!)
11.If there is a hole, cover it with a patch or an original pocket.
12.Install buttonhole elastic in waistbands to allow for growth. Consider using unisex
patterns and fabric to allow for greater flexibility at hand-me-down time.
summer holidays but also because it meant my mother would
soon begin making our new clothes for back-to-school. With four children to sew for, she
always started early. Back then, the variety and style of fabrics and patterns was
somewhat limited. Sergers were never found in the home and notions that were available
were basic - nothing like we have available today. Today's home sewer can find and use a
variety of fabrics and tools to make garments comparable to or even better than those
available in the ready-to-wear market. Here are some tips and ideas to help with your
back-to school sewing projects.
