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: wadeallie
Date: 08-06-2005, 10:56 AM (1 of 11)
| Hi. I'm new here and have a question regarding sewing for "big boned" children. I have a friend whose grand-daughter is a size 12 at 6 years of age. I would love to sew something for her for the holidays and I was wondering if there is a source for plus size patterns for young children? I've always had to "cut down" patterns for my children as they are all skinny-as-rails so this is new for me. I'd appreciate any help. Thank you! |
User: wadeallie
Member since: 08-06-2005 Total posts: 2 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 08-06-2005, 12:46 PM (2 of 11)
|
Yes, I have to buy them for my DGD.. I know I have purchased Simplicity and Butterick, and McCall patterns in the plus sizes.. They are clearly marked.. What I did was this: When I had plenty of time I looked in the pattern books.. Made notes about the pattern numbers I liked and short desc. of what they contained.. Then, when Hancocks has a sale on that brand, I buy 5. (limit).. I have gone back and made another purchase to get more that I wanted.. Now I have an assortment of patterns that fit her better..The only thing I did not find was a sun dress pattern that I liked.. I found one, just not exactly what I wanted.. I was just soooo excited to find the girls plus patterns.. 
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
|
From: wadeallie
Date: 08-06-2005, 01:20 PM (3 of 11)
|
Thank you Libby. Are the measurements on these patterns very close to body configurations? They never seem to give you much info on the envelopes outside of chest, height, and waist and on children they can be so different. I guess I can do what I can and then let her grandmother adjust length and sleeve hems so the fit is better. Thank you for your input. Any help is DEFINITELY appreciated. |
User: wadeallie
Member since: 08-06-2005 Total posts: 2 |
From: paroper
Date: 08-07-2005, 01:28 PM (4 of 11)
|
When I sew for my granddaughter, I sew a size 3 width but a size 5 height. (She is tall and willowy). I imagine that your kids were the same. Anyway, you can do the same. Just check for back waist measurments....and that would be your height. Then use the width measurment that most closely matches her width. Because of her size, she will be a little longer than kids her age which will help, but it may take two patterns to get the range of sizes you need. Here is the link to the McCalls sizing chart located in the back of the catalogs. You can use this to help determine what size(s) you need. They also show the charts for the plus sized patterns. I hope this helps. This is such a sensitive subject and it is important that she feels like the "other kids". http://www.mccallpattern.com/charts/bgirlboy.htm Tell her mother, that if all things work together the way they should, over the next few years she will slim down naturally and not to worry too much right now, just increase her activity level. pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: LauraM62
Date: 08-08-2005, 10:23 AM (5 of 11)
|
This is my dd exactly! She is 6 years old - now she wears a size 12 in width or girth of a garment but not length - as in pants & dresses would be too long, tops she likes longer. Yes look at the 'plus size' patterns they now have for kids. My dd I check the measurements on first, I will generally have to grade the pattern, making either a size 10 1/2 or 12 1/2 in girth with a length of 8 1/2 or 10 1/2 depending on the measurements on the pattern. For me though I have also gone to pattern drafting software since that allows me to put in her measurements and get a pattern that fits without tracing & grading. Beside when I started this for her when she was 4 years old the 'plus size' patterns were still too big. Some don't start until a size 10 1/2, and a couple of years ago the selection was much less then it is now! I noticed that even Burda is out with a 'plus size' for kids. Hi. I'm new here and have a question regarding sewing for "big boned" children. I have a friend whose grand-daughter is a size 12 at 6 years of age. I would love to sew something for her for the holidays and I was wondering if there is a source for plus size patterns for young children? I've always had to "cut down" patterns for my children as they are all skinny-as-rails so this is new for me. I'd appreciate any help. Thank you! LauraM
SW Indiana If everyone cared and nobody cried; If everyone loved and nobody lied; If everyone shared and swallowed their pride; Then we'd see the day when nobody died --'If Everyone Cared' by Nickelback |
User: LauraM62
Member since: 08-10-2003 Total posts: 246 
|
From: MaryW
Date: 08-08-2005, 11:37 AM (6 of 11)
|
Maybe this will help, I have absolutely no affiliation.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
|
From: MaryW
Date: 08-08-2005, 11:39 AM (7 of 11)
Whoops,  I always do that. Here is the link.http://plussizechildren.com/measure.htm MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
|
From: Mom of Six
Date: 08-08-2005, 01:14 PM (8 of 11)
|
Great site Mary I sent it on to my sister. She has a 7 yr old that needs a 14+ around but a 8 or 10 length. she is very hard to fit. I would have loved this with 2 of my DDs that had thick middles. Lucky for me I knew how to adjust to fit & they liked the less fitted styles.
Barb
Happiness is having time to sew!! |
User: Mom of Six
Member since: 11-03-2001 Total posts: 1115 
|
From: LauraM62
Date: 08-08-2005, 01:51 PM (9 of 11)
|
Actually I looked at this site 2 years ago when I started my search on what to do for my plus size dd. I bought the book "Sewing For Plus Size Kids". Although the book is informative it is on the idea that you will manual draft patterns for these children. When you have kids it makes it pretty hard to make a wardrobe for them with all the hand drafting. Also the info they gave you as to make patterns were pretty outdated styles, and I found numerous math errors. I would be interested in seeing how her pattern line comes out. At this link she is simply taking measurement information right now. This is what lead me to drafting via software though Whoops, I always do that. Here is the link.http://plussizechildren.com/measure.htm LauraM
SW Indiana If everyone cared and nobody cried; If everyone loved and nobody lied; If everyone shared and swallowed their pride; Then we'd see the day when nobody died --'If Everyone Cared' by Nickelback |
User: LauraM62
Member since: 08-10-2003 Total posts: 246
|
From: MaryW
Date: 08-08-2005, 03:46 PM (10 of 11)
Oh poop, that is not much help then.  Not many have time to draft patterns for kids. I will see what else I can find.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
|
From: LauraM62
Date: 08-10-2005, 07:40 AM (11 of 11)
Well that is why I did pattern drafting software. I tried a couple of different makers, but ended up buying Wild Ginger's Child's Play pattern drafting software. It is made for kids  Although not manual drafting it still was a learning curve to understand drafting, since your measurements play into the pattern as they do! Then there is the designs as you are the designer, how much ease, etc. I have cheated a little  buying patterns (99 cent sales), then using them as guides to recreate it in the software but in her size. She at least has some trendy clothes, and they fit! She calls them her special size. I now have made up a few of the Simplicity Plus Size patterns too, some work better then others. Some I found are much like women's sizes, in that they just try to grade up for a plus size with ease. So I don't like the looks of shoulders, and such. But then I have gotten picker since buying software that puts the extra where her body needs it.Oh poop, that is not much help then. Not many have time to draft patterns for kids. I will see what else I can find.
LauraM
SW Indiana If everyone cared and nobody cried; If everyone loved and nobody lied; If everyone shared and swallowed their pride; Then we'd see the day when nobody died --'If Everyone Cared' by Nickelback |
User: LauraM62
Member since: 08-10-2003 Total posts: 246
|
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-16569.html
Sew What’s Up is hosted by ZenSoft