kids clothes – Page 6

Drafting A Pattern

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Most times when I want to make something I dig out a paper pattern that’s close to what I want (or if I’m lucky, exactly what I want) and go from there. I’ve mashed patterns together with some success. Occasionally I’ll use a PDF pattern from one of my favorite shops (currently Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop and Seamingly Smitten). Sometimes, though I already have an item that’s exactly what I want so I use it to make a pattern. In this case, I want to make new rash guard shirts for my boys. Their current ones are a little (maybe a lot!) stretched out and getting thin. I’m not sure the UV protection is still there. I found UV fabric at Rockywoods. While I was waiting for my fabric, I worked on my pattern. I wanted to make them like the shirts they currently have – raglan style. I use newspaper or brown packing paper for making patterns.

Fold the shirt in half and fold the sleeves in so they aren’t in the way. Trace around the outside making sure you add a seam allowance (usually 5/8″). If you want to make the shirt a little bigger you could add another 1/2″ – 5/8″. Going up more than one size can get tricky.

Fold the sleeve in half. Trace around the sleeve too – don’t forget the seam allowance.

I usually label my pieces so I don’t get confused later – for some reason I couldn’t keep it straight in my head which end of the sleeve was the bottom so I labeled it. The sleeve piece is actually upside down in my picture (see? confused!) – the hem is at the top. The two long edges that are facing each other go on the fold so I drew brackets on them (similar to what paper patterns have).

I made a test shirt out of an old t-shirt to test the fit before I cut into my good material. He was happy with the fit and so was I. For the neck binding on this one, I used a piece of the neck binding from the old shirt.

Then it was time to cut into my good material. I’m always nervous – once you start, there’s no going back.

It’s actually a very quick sew-up. Sew the underarm seams.

Sew up the side seams.

Pin and sew the sleeves in place.

Hem the bottom.

Hem the sleeves.

Attach the neck binding and top stitch if desired.

Voila! A finished swim shirt. My little guy was pretty happy – he’s wearing it even though we aren’t going swimming today…or maybe he just doesn’t want to change again.

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Making An Outfit from T-Shirts

My son found an angry bird shirt in the old shirt pile and wanted it remade to fit him. That’s easy enough. I took the sides in and shortened the hem up. I cut binding from the shirt to hem the armholes. He loves it!

My daughter pointed out to me that it looks like he has no arms. As my son is less than thrilled with modeling for me, this will have to do.

Then I had quite a bit of t-shirt leftover. What to do? Add some decoration to a pair of shorts made from another t-shirt!

I had made him a pair of black shorts and carefully positioned the logo at the hemline. I cut two strips of the angry bird t-shirt scraps 3″-4″ wide and the length of the shorts. I sewed them on using my double needle (before hemming or doing the waistband).

I did the waistband differently than I normally do. Normally I just put the elastic through a casing. This time I sewed the elastic to the waistband. First I sewed the ends of the elastic together. Then I marked fourths on the elastic.

Then I pinned it to the shorts matching up the pins and the seams. I folded 1/4″ over the elastic and sewed it down with a zig zag. Stretch gently as you sew.

Now the elastic can’t go anywhere – no twisting, no weird bunching.
Sewn Elastic

Fold the waistband down and pin it.

Carefully stretch and sew down the elastic.

For this pair I only sewed one time. They’re perfect for gym shorts.

If you want to, you can sew around the waistband a second time 1/4″ from the top.

What else could you make from a t-shirt that is ready for upcycling?

Making Shorts From Old T-Shirts

Do your kids shorts look like this?

Or maybe you’ve tried to fix them?

Either way, it’s time for some new shorts! I looked at some in the store, but even on clearance, they’re $3 and I was sure I could make them cheaper. My husband had recently culled his t-shirts and I had a pile of t-shirts that weren’t quite bad enough to be turned into rags and while I could donate them, I was sure that I could do something with them.

I dug out a shorts pattern and cut out a pair. I had to cut them a little big since the pattern only goes to a size 4.

I cut an old pair of shorts apart to use as a pattern for my nine-year-old. Don’t forget to add a little extra for the seam allowance and add at least 1.5 inches to the top for the waistband.

If you forget to add extra for the waistband *ahem*, you can always cut a strip or two 3 inches by the size of the waistband you need and sew it on.

The waistband attached.

The shorts ended up fitting my 11-year-old better.

You could also use a coordinating material for the waistband to make it a little more interesting.

Adding cuffs to the shorts for a little added interest or to make them longer?
Either way, it works.

Don’t throw away those too small or unloved t-shirts. They can easily be recycled into something useful! What do you do with unwanted t-shirts?

Sewing A Simple Dress with Kids



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My daughter loves to sew! She’s always asking to make something. Recently, she wanted a lightweight robe so she dug through my material and found some she liked. We found a pattern in my stash and I helped her make it. Now, she has it in her mind that she’s going to make dresses for three adorable little girls at church. We looked through my patterns, but they were all a little too complicated or didn’t have the right sizes. Then, I remembered the Janey Jump Around Dress from peek-a-boo pattern shop. It has all the sizes we need plus it’s an easy sew – perfect for my daughter to make three times – and best of all, it’s free! She dug through my stash of knits and found ones that coordinated.

I normally pin the pieces in a couple spots to make sure they stay put, then she finishes pinning them and cuts them out with her own scissors.

We read the directions together and then I pin the seams for her.

She did all the sewing herself.

She was very proud of herself when she finally finished! I think it took her longer than she thought.

There were three happy little girls too.

What’s your favorite easy pattern?

Mittens – A Quick & Easy Sewing Project for Kids

My kids are always looking for things to sew. I’m not into letting them sew random things that are just going to lay around the house. I prefer things that are somewhat useful. I will say I’m not sure how useful mittens are in southwest Florida, but…

Trace one hand on a piece of paper. Make it a little big since you don’t want them to be super snug. Then add about 1/2 inch for seam allowances. You’ll probably need to help them with that part (I just added that in when I traced their hands). Cut out your pattern.

All you need is a scrap of fleece that you can fold in half and get two mittens out of it. Make sure that the stretch goes across the hand so that there’s enough stretch to get their hand through the wrist opening.

Pin them right sides together and sew around the outside except for the wrist opening. Sewing around the thumb can be tricky, but go slow and it will be fine.

Turn them right side out and enjoy! Fleece doesn’t ravel so there’s no need to hem which makes my kids very happy!

Do your kids like to sew? What kinds of things do they make?