Last week I made a little outfit for the baby boy of an old friend who lives in South Africa. I never sewed for my own babies - my youngest was a toddler before I had a go at sewing kids' clothes - so it felt rather novel to be making something for someone so young.
Not owning any patterns suitable for babies, I used two free online ones: the envelope-neck top from small dreamfactory and Made by Rae's newborn baby pants (which I enlarged a little, since Baby B is already 8 weeks old). Both were nice and easy to make, with no closures or complicated details. I used cotton jersey knit from Spotlight, added some coordinating cuffs to the pants, and loved the way I needed so little fabric for these tiny (hopefully not too tiny) garments!
I haven't sent this gift off yet, because I have one problem: the elastic in the waist of the pants. I have no idea how tight or loose to make it. I think I'm going to have to corner some mums of babies and see if I can measure a three-month-old. In the meantime if any readers know the average waist size of a baby this age, please let me know!
The outfit is so cute Marisa :) I am sure the recepient (and his parents) will love it. When I am unsure of the length of the elastic I leave a 'tail' out so it can be adjusted by the recepient. Of course it doesn't look too glamorous, but elastic is really easy to adjust even if one does not sew.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jenya! I thought of leaving the elastic out... maybe I should.
DeleteI read somewhere cut elastic 0-3 mths 14", 3-6 mths 15", which allows for 1/2" overlap when you sew it together.
ReplyDeleteRose
Thanks, Rose :)
DeleteI also meant to say thanks for the link to smalldreamfactory - lots of great stuff!
DeleteRose
Cute outfit marisa. I was about to reach for the Oliver + S Layette pants pattern to give you an elastic size estimate but Anonymous probably has you sorted.
ReplyDeleteOh well, thanks anyway! Having never sewn for babies before i have no patterns to refer to.
DeleteAnonymous is right I think. I just measured baby M for you :-). Love the little outfit you have made, and thanks for the link to smalldreamfactory. I want to stitch up one of these teeshirts too!
ReplyDeleteAh - good to know. Thanks to you and baby M! Yes smalldreamfactory was a good find - I discovered it when searching online for an envelope-neck pattern.
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