Sew What’s Up Presents
The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
“Sew What’s Up,”
which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: MaryW
Date: 10-31-2004, 02:14 PM (1 of 25)
|
I am on a pattern kick today. Which patterns do you use and like the most for making kids clothes? When I was learning to sew I made a lot from McCall's. Now it is just about any of them. MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
|
From: smith972
Date: 10-31-2004, 02:54 PM (2 of 25)
|
For me it is just about any pattern...i usually go with what is on sale at hancocks...if need to add something to the pattern (usually my little girl likes extras) then i just get the pattern and add what i need to make it right for her.... Jai |
User: smith972
Member since: 09-10-2004 Total posts: 241 
|
From: Sherri
Date: 10-31-2004, 03:01 PM (3 of 25)
|
I really like Butterick patterns but I so seldom have them available that I usually make my own. Sher My website
|
User: Sherri
Member since: 02-07-2001 Total posts: 357 |
From: CatholicMum
Date: 10-31-2004, 04:07 PM (4 of 25)
|
I use mostly McCall's and Simplicity - I generally prefer the McCalls though. I'm really loving the vintage patterns I found at a thrift store recently (10 cents each) and many of those are McCalls.
Linda
|
User: CatholicMum
Member since: 10-31-2004 Total posts: 19 |
From: sewphisticate
Date: 10-31-2004, 07:28 PM (5 of 25)
|
My favorite for kids is Kwik Sew. The patterns are very sturdy, being printed on paper as opposed to tissue. Also, the directions are very clear and concise. The fit is usually better than the other major pattern companies and she a lot of "classics" that are hard to find in the trendy pattern books. My favorite patterns for myself are McCalls and Vogue. I do not like Simplicity or Butterick, but will use them if I must. I have used New Look and Burda...but not often enough to offer any kind of opinion. Genevieve Genevieve
|
User: sewphisticate
Member since: 10-29-2004 Total posts: 20 |
From: sewingrandma
Date: 11-01-2004, 10:59 AM (6 of 25)
|
I love Kwik Sew, not only for the grands but for myself. The fit is almost perfect for me. I went ahead and bought the books that have multiple patterns in it. You get an entire wardrobe and lots of ideas for changes the existing patterns to get an entirely new look.
Brockie
|
User: sewingrandma
Member since: 03-06-2003 Total posts: 432 |
From: Melanie T
Date: 11-09-2004, 12:09 PM (7 of 25)
|
I bought the Kwik Sew books when my oldest was born. (Sewing for Baby, Sewing for Toddlers & Sewing for Childern) I use them for all of my sewing for my boys. The only other kids patterns that I have bought were two kwik sew patterns for sleepers because the sleeper pattern in the book is interesting and one dress pattern from Elizabeth Lee Designs (Patterns for the Breastfeeding Mother) for my nieces. I really like using the Kwik Sew patterns. Melanie
4 little sewing machine mechanics (6, 4, 2, Born June 14) Ontario Canada |
User: Melanie T
Member since: 09-21-2004 Total posts: 155 |
From: Pudge99
Date: 11-09-2004, 02:42 PM (8 of 25)
|
Kwik Sew and Simplicity. Got six of the Kwik Sew books and love them. I also have bought Elizabeth Lee for myself while nursing my babes. I like Sunrise Design too for the kids, they have great accessory patterns.
Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 11-09-2004, 06:55 PM (9 of 25)
|
I like Sunrise because you get a lot for your money.. They have at least 6 different items in every one that I have ever bought..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
|
From: Melanie T
Date: 11-10-2004, 01:01 PM (10 of 25)
|
I have been using the Elizabeth Lee Designs breastfeeding patterns for myself almost exclusively for the last several years because they fit my lifestyle right now. I like wearing clothes that I can just feed my babies wherever I am and I don't have to go hide somewhere. They aren't exactly kids patterns, but you wouldn't use them if you didn't have kids. Just in case anybody was wondering their website is http://www.elizabethlee.com/ I am not an employee or anything, just a very satisfied customer. Melanie
4 little sewing machine mechanics (6, 4, 2, Born June 14) Ontario Canada |
User: Melanie T
Member since: 09-21-2004 Total posts: 155 |
From: SummerRainemama
Date: 12-31-2004, 02:59 AM (11 of 25)
I use the Kwik Sew books with the master patterns, I can almost make an entire wardrobe from them. 
|
User: SummerRainemama
Member since: 04-16-2004 Total posts: 17 
|
From: KCARSTEW
Date: 01-09-2005, 12:10 PM (12 of 25)
 I love the Kwik Sew books with the master patterns and Burda patterns are great too but I don't like that they are on that horrid tissue paper  ~Kendra |
User: KCARSTEW
Member since: 01-08-2005 Total posts: 5 |
From: toadusew
Date: 01-09-2005, 12:13 PM (13 of 25)
|
I like both McCall's and Simplicity, but I tend to prefer McCall's because they have (in my opinion) good illustrations with the instructions, and I'm such a visual learner that the illustrations really help. Belinda |
User: toadusew
Member since: 01-08-2005 Total posts: 369 |
From: SummerRainemama
Date: 01-09-2005, 12:41 PM (14 of 25)
|
Oh wanted to add that I also use Ottobre and all its patterns are printed on paper. But man can they be tough.....lol Here, see for yourself! http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v174/unpregmeg/ottobre003.jpg |
User: SummerRainemama
Member since: 04-16-2004 Total posts: 17
|
From: sable
Date: 01-11-2005, 12:03 AM (15 of 25)
|
I use Kwik Sew patterns a lot for my two little boys. I love the fact that they have a good range of sizes in each pattern, and also the fact that their patterns don't tend to date. The fit is also good for the standard patterns, though I found the sizing in the baby book was a little on the small size. I have found McCalls to be on the large size, Burda is good size and style wise. Vogue has very little in the way of practical patterns for littlies and is too expensive. I haven't tried Butterick or the others yet. One thing I found interesting, only Kwik Sew seems to believe that singlets are necessary for little boys! I have just started to draft some patterns for little woollen singlets for infants up to size 2 as I have found the existing envelope neck ones a little wide in the neck. Really annoying when they start sliding down the shoulders I have to say I really enjoy sewing for my two boys. My only gripe is that by the time I can afford a decent embroidery machine, they will probably be anti home sewn stuff! |
User: sable
Member since: 01-10-2005 Total posts: 76 
|
From: Pudge99
Date: 01-11-2005, 09:32 AM (16 of 25)
|
From what I am seeing here on the board it seems that they don't outgrow wanting homemade stuff. The things they want may change. I am thinking that an embroidery machine when they are teenagers is the thing that would be most useful. You can make them patches for their jackets and personalize almost anything for them. I am hoping to be able to afford an embroidery machine soon. I have a wonderful Pfaff and a decent serger so the obvious next thing to get would be an embroidery machine. Right? 
Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: AllThumz
Date: 01-20-2005, 01:24 PM (17 of 25)
|
My girls are pre-teen & teen, but, when they were younger, I used a lot of Butterick, because they were cuter! I ALWAYS struggled trying to fit Simplicity patterns together; they always seem to be slightly "off" and I have to recut or reshape pieces. I stay away from Simplicity. The only Vogue pattern I ever dared to try was their Christening Dress. Kwik Sew really doesn't have the style, but, times have changed. Kids want comfort; it used to be we Moms wamted to "dress-them-up" as cute as we could! Nowadays, even the kiddie patterns have a "sexy" lilt to them - shameful! Whatever happened to lovely dresses for little girls? You know; the ones that actually used more than 1 yard of fabric?! Now they are off the shoulder, low cut and bellies showing, more than they ever have in the past. If we are what we eat, then we what we wear advertises something to others about us. Oh well... perhaps making patterns IS the answer! 
May God Bless you!
Adrienne Pray, sing, sew and drink only the most excellent coffee! |
User: AllThumz
Member since: 01-14-2005 Total posts: 22 
|
From: MaryW
Date: 01-20-2005, 06:28 PM (18 of 25)
|
Gina, after they hit about 10 or so, they want store bought clothes. If you can make them something that resembles WalMart or Gap they might wear it.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
|
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 01-20-2005, 07:55 PM (19 of 25)
|
Allthumbz, I don't know about where you live, but the girls here are away from the bare belly look .. It was totally out beginning last fall.. I am so glad because my DGD is 7 now and starting to want to look older..and copy the older girls fashions.. I used to make her Daisy Kingdom Dresses.. They all had yards and yards of fabric.. Including petticoats..They are still around for the younger girls.. Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022
|
From: Pudge99
Date: 01-21-2005, 01:02 PM (20 of 25)
|
My 12 yr old still likes what I make her. She likes the stuff from Wal-mart but once she sees it on herself, she says let's go to the fabric department. Right now she really likes simple knee length straight skirts.
Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: toadusew
Date: 01-21-2005, 01:27 PM (21 of 25)
I think you're very lucky if a child over 10 will allow you to sew for him/her. My daughter let me make her one particular pattern (I could make that thing in my sleep!  ) until she was about 9 and then some unkind girl made a snide remark about the jumpsuit and my daughter no longer wanted to wear them. She also began wanting store bought clothes around that time. A couple of years ago, she surprised me by allowing me to make a robe for her--she actually went to the fabric store with me and picked out the pattern and the fabric, so I do think she wears the robe! Now I'm doing some sewing for my grandson, although boys' shirts aren't quite as much fun to make as cute little girls' dresses.
|
User: toadusew
Member since: 01-08-2005 Total posts: 369 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 01-21-2005, 03:48 PM (22 of 25)
|
My oldest daughter loved to pick out her own patterns and fabrics until she was in her early teens. Then she wanted ready-to-wear. Now at thirty she wants to pick out her own patterns and fabrics. I bought her a sewing machine. Now I sew what I want, for who I want, when I want. Mostly me. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: mommydionne
Date: 01-30-2005, 10:45 AM (23 of 25)
|
my two year old will wear anything if I embroider Pooh and company on it, dd (age 6) still likes home stuff especially if she gets to pick out the fabric, the 8 year old (male) doesn't like much anymore from home except for polar fleece stuff, he wears baggy pant, tshirts and fleece sweaters and that is it, I had to bribe him to wear corderoy pants and a real shirt to his Xmas concert (actually it was a threat but who's counting?) he does like funky cotton boxer style shorts in the summer and flannel pjs too. so it isn't quite so bad. I like the burda magazine for kids patterns.
Jeanette
|
User: mommydionne
Member since: 01-08-2004 Total posts: 838 
|
From: MaryW
Date: 02-06-2005, 05:07 AM (24 of 25)
|
They have cool stuff for kids, a little different.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
|
From: sewingnonie
Date: 02-24-2005, 01:47 PM (25 of 25)
|
My very favorite pattern for kids,is Holly/Hunter by Bonnie Blue. Works for boys and girls. The Holly is a simple lined, button on the shoulder jumper, and the Hunter is a shortall for little boys,also fully lined. You can add any decoration youwant to these patterns. Perfect fo applique or embroidery. http://www.adriannes.com/ Suzanne carries Bonnie Blue patterns. You might also want to ask her about Bonnie Blues new pattern called Jillian,it is an adorable pants and jacket pattern,but just for girls. Nonie |
User: sewingnonie
Member since: 09-23-2004 Total posts: 175 |
Visit Sew What’s Up for the latest sewing and quilting tips and discussions.
This page was originally located on Sew What’s New (www.sew-whats-new.com) at http://www.sew-whats-new.com/vb/archive/index.php/t-14082.html
Sew What’s Up is hosted by ZenSoft