I figured I better finish posting about March before I get caught up in the excitement of April. That last weekend turned out to be very productive and I was able to use up a remnant that was supposed to be sewn up last November.
A super soft dress jacket for the cold spring days! My little Not Niece's eyes lit up when she saw and felt this fabric. Her favorite color is green and she immediately asked if we could make it "right now?"
I adapted the t-shirt pattern from
Kwik-Sew Method Sew For Toddlers by Kerstin Martensson. When I laid the pattern pieces out I decided to go for a bit of a 50's swing jacket silhouette and put a pleat in the back. I also flared out the back sides to give it more volume, and use up the fabric!
I didn't want to do any top stitching on this plushy fabric so I decided to cut a lining from another knit that she liked. I think it adds a lot of fun to the jacket. I did some light pressing so it wouldn't show on the outside. I also cut the sleeves at three quarters, which was all I could squeeze out grainwise but added big cuffs that fit her just right!
I had some trouble with the collar and decided to rip it out. My sharp seam ripper took a turn for the worst and decided to slice into the shoulder as well. Thankfully plush came to the rescue and it isn't even visible on the outside. I took the rotary cutter to the seam at that point.
By the end of the experience I had one happy little girl, even if she didn't want to wear it just then.
Throughout this project I had to keep reminding myself this is just for a child. She will wear it hard and not for long. I don't need to have everything perfect. As long as it holds together the finishing is fine. Turns out, I was right.
What do you take into consideration when you sew for kids? Do you have any special tips or tricks?
11 comments:
I think you figured out the one main secret to sewing for kids: make something that excites them. No matter how gorgeous/trendy/classic/or finely finished something is, if it doesn't excite them, they won't wear it.
Oh so sweet. She looks like one happy little girl. The fabric looks so cozy. I made my three year old gran-daughter a red coat and hat set for Christmas. She put it on and wouldn't take it off again. She even wore it through Christmas dinner. I'm very fussy sewing for my grand kids because my sons are so impressed with my skills that they examine every aspect of the garments I make for the kids! It makes for a little pressure to get it just right. Lol.
That jacket is beautiful. I envy your niece!
Thanks, I was glad it turned out so well.
Aww, your granddaughter's jacket sounds lovely. Very cool that your sons check out your work! Nothing like scrutiny to keep the standards up! :)
You are so right! Such a good tip to keep in mind!
Now that is just too cute! I want one too- it looks very cozy!
awwww I love it! what a cute little model! Such fun stash fabric you have!
Thanks! She really is a cutie.
My general rule of thumb when sewing for my daughter: make it just a bit on the large side for where she is now and make sure there's lots of fabric in the hem. This has helped us get many years out of things she might have otherwise outgrown too quickly.
OOh, extra length in the hem is a good one! I was really worried about the sleeves in this jacket but they ended up being long enough.
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