Material for baby clothes and patterns

[New2sewing]

Hi Everyone

Am new to this board and as you can tel from my username I am new to sewing! I am a stay at home mum and recently bought a sewing machine just to give me something to do and I really want to make simple clothes for my baby and toddler so....

Where is a good place to buy material for baby clothes and what material is best for them?

Also whereabouts can I find simple patterns for baby clothes. Have had a look around the net but cant really seem to find anything.

Thanks in advance and look forward to getting to know you all

xxHannah

[creativeclare]

Hi,

Many baby clothes are made from stretch fabrics and these are not easy to sew. Stick to little pairs of jeans or dresses if a little girl which you can make out of cotton fabrics. These are easy to sew and forgiving if you have to unipick. Mcalls & Butterick do some lovely baby and toddler patterns try your local sewing shop for these or Google them.

Hope this helps! Good luck and go for it !


C.

[swirlyarts]

Try www.burdastyle.com for hints and tips and they sometimes have cool patterns too. Also try www.craftster.org for very good projects - can be a bit overwhelming but there is some very good stuff on there.

[New2sewing]

Thank you both for your replies. Found a mccalls pattern and a kwik sew (think thats the name!) pattern for some simple things ie blankets and trousers. Have found it slightly difficult to find them as loads of things for girls but boys there doesnt seem to be much choice - both my baby and toddler are boys.

Will let you know how I get on - fingers crossed!

xxHannah

[Littlegems_cm]

Hi Hannah,

(welcome)

Good luck with it and be sure to let us know how you get on!

C x

[brittone05]

Hi Hannah

Welcome to the wonderful world of sewing :D

I find trousers a bit of a pain especially if yu have a nappy to take into account!

You could have a try at making some nice shirts for the summer - there are plenty of patterns about and you could use plain or patterned cotton fabrics for them.

Setting the sleeves in can take a bit of practice but it isn't all that bad once you get the hang of it :D

Best of luck with whatever you decide to make :D

[Craftmatters]

Hi there - I started sewing too when my babies were born. I really wanted to make stuff for them (poor things!!). I used fleece quite a lot - I think my 1st attempt was fleece PJs. The great thing about fleece is that it's quite forgiving & you don't have to worry about fraying. Mind you, you will be looking at pretty summer stuff at this time of year, lol!

Good luck with it... :)

[silvermaid]

When my boys were little I made all their trousers. Just simple elastic waist ones but it saved me quite a bit of money.
I got a pair the same style that fitted them to use as a pattern, turned them inside out and then put one leg inside the other.
Put the outside edge to the fold and then cut out adding a 1/2 inch seam allowance on the inside and curved edge and 2-3 inches on the top for the elastic casing. Sew up each inside leg and the put one inside the other right sides together like your pattern and sew the crotch from waistband down and back up the other side. Un-tuck leg and turn over the top 1/4 inch and then again 1 - 1 1/2 inches for the elastic sew round leaving a gap for the elastic. Thread elastic through and sew ends together then stitch gap closed.
I used to use thin denim or cotton drill or corduroy.
Hope you can follow this.

Melanie