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From: bridesmom
Date: 06-13-2005, 07:05 PM (1 of 12)
Not really a question, but does anyone else find that the pattern sizing for children (infants) is totally out to lunch???? I am making pants and a top in a 9 month size (approx 20 lb) and I'm positive this will fit my 3 year old granddaughter~!!  Even the sleepers I made that are a 6 month size are HUGE. What gives??? Any suggestions for which patterns fit better?? I realize kids come in all sizes but this is so frustrating. The only good thing is eventually the infant will grow into these things.
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: sewingrandma
Date: 06-13-2005, 08:18 PM (2 of 12)
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I've had the best luck using Kwik Sew patterns for infants, toddlers and kids. Sizing is very close to RTW. My Hancocks store carries them, but they also have a web site where you can order them. I know what you are talking about on the large sizes you get from a lot of the pattern companies, especially when you go by pounds on the infant sizes.
Brockie
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User: sewingrandma
Member since: 03-06-2003 Total posts: 432 |
From: natmyers
Date: 06-13-2005, 08:40 PM (3 of 12)
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Yep, don't know why they are like that. I have started actually kinda measuring the pattern like in the chest or whatever to chose the size.
babyandbeyondboutique.com
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User: natmyers
Member since: 03-09-2005 Total posts: 34 |
From: AndreaSews
Date: 06-13-2005, 09:35 PM (4 of 12)
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I've found that just like patterns for adults, I really need to measure the person to choose the sizes with the infant/toddler/child patterns. It's funny too--one child's measurements for chest may be right at her age on the chart, and then her height is way way more, and her waist is way less. Just like adults, except those differences aren't so embarassing, right? If the child's measurements don't fall neatly into one column on the chart, I usually go with the chest or waist measurement to pick the size, and then I adjust the lengths accordingly when I cut the fabric. It's not as easy to surprise a person with a handmade gift this way (although I did get away with measuring my friend's 3 yr old one day while I was babysitting for her!). I recently emailed friends and just asked them to measure height, waist, and chest for me so I could plan a birthday project. They were so touched that I was planning on making something for their children, the garments themselves turned out to be a big enough surprise to all them.
Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007 
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From: esrun3
Date: 06-14-2005, 12:20 AM (5 of 12)
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Yep! pattern sizes are lousy. My granddaughter who turns 2 in a couple weeks is wearing a size 6 mo. dress I made her 2 years ago!! LOL I've taken to doing quite a few measurements myself for the kids when I'm sewing cuz you just can't trust the pattern sizes.
Lyn
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User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 2345 |
From: blackie
Date: 06-14-2005, 12:25 AM (6 of 12)
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I've found that just like patterns for adults, I really need to measure the person to choose the sizes with the infant/toddler/child patterns. It's funny too--one child's measurements for chest may be right at her age on the chart, and then her height is way way more, and her waist is way less. Just like adults, except those differences aren't so embarassing, right? If the child's measurements don't fall neatly into one column on the chart, I usually go with the chest or waist measurement to pick the size, and then I adjust the lengths accordingly when I cut the fabric. It's not as easy to surprise a person with a handmade gift this way (although I did get away with measuring my friend's 3 yr old one day while I was babysitting for her!). I recently emailed friends and just asked them to measure height, waist, and chest for me so I could plan a birthday project. They were so touched that I was planning on making something for their children, the garments themselves turned out to be a big enough surprise to all them. All of Andrea's points are right on the money. I also use a waist/chest measurement to pick the pattern, then alter the torso, arm, or leg length to fit the child. I find the hardest part is the neckline and yoke areas and I still don't feel I have a perfect method for making alterations there. Short Kutz by Melanie Graham has this great worksheet that lists all the measurements you would ever need on a child, has a diagram for how to take each measurement, and has a place to record these measurements as your child grows. This works great since I usually sew as they nap, and can't take measurements easily!  I do all the measurements (there are 20-some) at once. They actually enjoy the measuring (with my husband's help, it is a game for the whole family)! Anyway, I have used it with very good success and the worksheet alone was worth the $2 used Amazon.com price! Also - if you want I can email you a copy of the worksheet. PM me with your email address if you'd like a copy!
see the mundane life of a housewife.
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User: blackie
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 594 |
From: Pudge99
Date: 06-14-2005, 11:54 AM (7 of 12)
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I have also found this frustrating. The only patterns I have had any luck with is Kwik Sew. I have all their books with master patterns and use these for most of my sewing for kids. The only time I have to go buy a pattern is if I need something fancy, like for a wedding.
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: esrun3
Date: 06-14-2005, 08:07 PM (8 of 12)
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Gina-or anyone who knows- would you mind answering a question for me? I found the kwik sew books at Hancocks but none were open-all sealed up. Do they have little boy patterns-like for a 1 year old who is currently in 12 mo clothes but soon to head up to 18 mo? The boys are the hardest kids to find anything for! Lots of choices out there for little girls but absolutely nothing for boys. Can you use the Kwik Sew patterns on cotton-or just knits? Thanks for the info. I'd like to be sure the books are worth it before I sink a bunch of money into them. Lyn
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User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 2345 |
From: woodywoodpecker
Date: 06-15-2005, 02:33 AM (9 of 12)
| You can kind of tell what is in the book by the picture on the front cover. Maybe they would let you open one? |
User: woodywoodpecker
Member since: 11-07-2003 Total posts: 242 |
From: sewingrandma
Date: 06-15-2005, 06:44 AM (10 of 12)
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Lyn the Sewing For Baby sizes run from 0-18 months, weight up to 26 pounds, height 31 1/2 inches. The book contains patterns for onsies, jogger outfits, hoodies, rompers, overalls-long and short, t-shirts and polo (golfstyle)shirts, also sleepers and variations on each of these. Plus girls dresses and panties. They also have Patterns for appliques in the back to embellish what you make. Most of the patterns recommend various weights of knits and fleece, but the overalls can be made with knits or wovens. The book has lots of ideas for changing the pattern, embellishments etc. Sewing For Children sizes/ages start at 4 (XS) and go to 12(XL) and have lots of outfits for boys and both knits and wovens are used in it. Brockie
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User: sewingrandma
Member since: 03-06-2003 Total posts: 432 |
From: esrun3
Date: 06-15-2005, 01:15 PM (11 of 12)
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thanks Brockie! Sounds like I might be buying one-or two-my granddaughter would probably be in the toddler one if my grandson is in the baby one! Oh, but I'll have to buy the children's too for the other grandson! guess I'll be buying 3 after all.
Lyn
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User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 2345 |
From: SewAddict
Date: 06-17-2005, 11:51 AM (12 of 12)
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I agree children's patten sizing is horrible.I was just pulling out some old patterns I made for my daughter years ago only to discover I was making size 3 dresses for my daughter when she was 8. I did drastically lengthen these patterns but I had to make such a small size to fit the shoulders and chest! I have found "Childrens Corner" to be more true to size. The only down side to these is that you have to order them from an heirloom shop which means usually paying $12.00 a piece. The best thing is that they print all the sized separately in the pattern. Once your child outgrows the size 1, there is a fresh uncut pattern for size two. Some of these only have two sizes per pattern but some have 4 (or more?) I think McCalls seem ro run the largest of all the patterns. What do you think? SewAddict |
User: SewAddict
Member since: 06-03-2005 Total posts: 25 |
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