For parents, dressmaking can be a wonderful stress buster and a rewarding experience especially if they get to sew the clothes of their own children. Aside from the fulfilling experience that you are doing for somebody you love, dressmaking for children can also help you save some money because you dont have to buy ready-to-wear garments that cost a lot.
Aside from being an economical activity, dressmaking for kids can also help you to be more creative and resourceful because the craft itself would encourage you to come up with designs without having to spend so much money.
Dressmaking for children does not really require outstanding needlework skills. All you have to do is to learn the basics of sewing and come up with your own style, designs, and ideas. You also need to be creative and patient when doing this because you will have to consider a lot when it comes to kids’ clothing.
Getting started
If you are planning to sew the clothes of your kids, the major consideration that you have to pay attention to is the time. If you were a full time mother or father, then time would not be a problem for you. But for working parents, this activity would require outstanding time management skills to finish a certain sewing project.
Once you have fixed your schedule, another consideration would be the acquisition of sewing tools. Since you will be sewing just for your kids, basic sewing tools such as sewing machine, needles, threads, serger, and shears are needed. If you are planning to sew an entire wardrobe for your kids, make sure that you invest in good sewing tools because they will make the work easier and hassle-free for you.
Dressmaking for children can be fun as well as economical. You do not have to be an expert to make a satisfactory child’s garment. After all, any sewing “mistakes” you make will not be around very long, since children outgrow their clothes so quickly. If you are a beginner, choose simple patterns. Save the harder ones for later.
Once you have all the tools that you need, consider the type of fabrics, designs, patterns, and colors that you will use for the child. In choosing fabrics, make sure that they are strong and flexible enough to endure everyday use. Opt for cotton fabrics or cotton variations with polyester because they are soft, comfortable, and easy to work on.
When it comes to patterns, always base them on the child’s body measurements so you can make the necessary adjustments. Also, opt for printed designs and bright colors to stimulate your child’s enthusiasm and cheerfulness. For boys, colors such as red, blue, green, and brown are recommended. For girls, soft and bright colors such as yellow, pink, orange, and violet are ideal.
To ensure that children will really like the clothes you will do for them, get their suggestions and approval before finally proceeding to the sewing proper. You can spend some time asking them what color they would want, the design they prefer as well as the characters they might want to add.
If you have spare time, you can ask them to do simple sketches of the clothes that they want and make a pattern out of these sketches. Aside from enhancing their creativity, you are also encouraging the child to gain independence as well as teaching him or her to make decisions on his or her own.
