Sewing baby clothes = Instant gratification!
Here's Rachel's first handmade dress. I bought this small wale corduroy a month or so ago from JoAnn's, but had to wait for a button sale before I could make it.
This went together really easily and I had no problems with the construction. The only issue to write about is the sizing. I made the smallest size - newborn. However, this little black onzie is a 1-3 month, and you can see it's pretty big on the sides. I'd say this dress is more of a 3-6 month size. All I can do is laugh about it. As I've been sewing for quite awhile now, I know how to make adult size patterns fit, even with all the extra ease that's allowed for. But I've no idea what I'm doing with baby clothes. Now you know why I didn't make anything for her before she was born.
Hopefully this will fit sometime this winter or early spring. It's made from corduroy after all. That's usually a cold weather fabric.Up next - a silk tunic for me. I hope you're having a fantastic weekend!
So darn cute! I have found that while the ladies sizing runs small compared to RTW, the kids sizing is huge. My boys are not small, but everything I've made them from big 4 patterns has been wide and deep in the rise (clearly not a problem with jumpers). Wiggly babies are not conducive to fitting, so I usually take a piece of clothing that fits them well and is of a similar fabric and measure the important dimensions to compare with the pattern.
ReplyDeleteI have an awful time with sizing children's patterns. The first pair of shorts I ever made for my then toddler son STILL don't fit him. Maybe in another year or two (=
ReplyDeleteCute dress!
That is a very cute jumper! I have had the same problems with pattern sizing for babies. And it isn't just sizing - sometimes I found the scale to be very strange, like very large collars or wide shoulder straps that just didn't work well or look good. Burda and Kwik Sew do a much better job than the Big 4 do, but I find that the Big 4 patterns do get better as they get closer to toddler sizes/ages. Like Kathryn, measuring some other well-fitting clothing was always the easiest way for me to get something to fit and look appropriate.
ReplyDeleteSame here, always huge, go down a size or sometimes two in baby things, measure something similar in RTW against the pattern. Toddler sizes are better, but my almost 3 yr old wears a 2T/24mos in RTW and can still wear a 1 in patterns.
ReplyDeleteLove it!! The yellow buttons are super fun!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with the above ladies. I find that with Simplicity babies patterns, XXS is actually more like a RTW newborn size and XS comes closest to a 0-3 month, then it goes up from there. The other big 4 baby patterns are usually about a size too large (ie what they call a 3 month size won't fit until baby is 6 months). Ottobre and Burda sizing is MUCH better and more reliable - besides, you really only need to know her height for them! :-) Happy baby sewing!
It doesn't get any cuter than this! love it1
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely adorable, Amanda! Love the color combo, and the buttons. Yes, kids patterns run big. DD is finally starting to get predictable sizing, and she's 7! Hang in there!
ReplyDeleteThis jumper is just darling!! LOVE those yellow flower buttons on the black and white. Could you just take it in on the sides under the arm, and taper to nothing where the lower button starts? Very, very cute.
ReplyDeleteGood ideas about measuring her other clothing that fits, but you can measure her body and compare to the pattern pieces also.
that is just hte cutest little outfit, she'll look adorable in it!
ReplyDeleteNo doubt this is the first of many totally cute handmade garments that your adorable Rachel will have in her wardrobe. I love the zebra print paired with those yellow buttons - it's a perfect combination.
ReplyDeleteI agree making baby clothes is so fun due to the instant gratification it gives you.
ReplyDeleteI love the jumper and the color combo you used- so fun!
I had the same problem with the 'newborn' sizes when I was sewing for my daughter when she was a baby.
Absolutely adorable outfit! And yes, you are spot on about the sizing in infant clothing. Who do size these things for? I have two 6-12 month sized dresses I made that still do not fit my 17 month old! I use the clothing she has as a reference for future sewing projects as well!
ReplyDeleteI love it! I just found out my best friend is having a baby and am very excited to get to sew some baby clothes. I may have to borrow your idea if she has a girl. The dress is absolutely darling! :)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely darling!!! Love it, love it, love it!! She's definitely going to a little "fashion doll"!!
ReplyDeleteEeee! The is so freaking cute!!
ReplyDeleteIf you ever get a chance to try Oliver+S patterns, they seem to run TTS. The pieces that I've made for friends seem to fit their babies in the size range that is listed. And they have some adorable dress patterns that would be so cute on Rachel when she gets a little older. They're pricier than the big 4, but the drafting is superb and the styles are precious. Just a thought. :)
That's so adorable! That makes me want to have a baby right now! :D
ReplyDeleteTotally love the non-traditional (for babies) zebra print!
ReplyDeleteAmanda seu look são lindos,estou te seguindo tb sou apaixonada por costura espero sua visita.
ReplyDeletebjos..
Arlete Ateliê
http://arleteatelie.blogspot.com/
Totally adorable.
ReplyDeleteOhhh, that is too precious! Can't wait to see her in it!
ReplyDeleteLove the color choice, so cute!!
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