Butterflyblue

I think sewing children's clothes is a good way to start sewing clothing, because there is less fitting, the items are smaller (faster to make and cheaper if you mess up) and you can get used to some of the techniques and how to read a pattern.

And of course, when the recipient is young enough, they are un-picky if it doesn't turn out just right.

Sewing kid's shirts (at Christmas I sewed one for my nephew and one apiece for my son and daughter) is how I finally got over my irrational fear of making a shirt and made one for myself that I actually love.

mpspeedy

I had been garment sewing for almost 10 years before I made my first quilt. Over the years I have taken a few lessons in garment sewing. I worked for 18 months for a Bernina dealer who made ends meet by doing custom dressmaking and alterations. I really learned a lot there. The most important part of garment sewing is much the same as quilting. Straight of grain is the most important factor in the success of a garment. Nothing hangs right if it is off grain. There are some wonderful books on basic sewing available probably at your local library. Nancy Zienman has lots of them. For more complicated stuff try books by Sandra Betzena [?spelling] Over the years I made my daughter's prom gown and three dresses for my grand daughters who were flower girls and a junior bridesmaid in my daughter's wedding. The advise on measuring the person who will be wearing the garment are right. My grandaughter who was 9 at the time was actually smaller in the waist than her 5 year old sister and cousin. My former boss who did the custom dressmaking always started with the bust measurements when choosing a pattern for a customer. That is the hardest area to fit.
As a really full figured girl all of my life I loved working with knits for myself. They are so forgiving and make fitting a lot easier.

Carol W

I was happy to see this thread as I was thinking of trying to make summer dresses for my granddaughters and shorts for my grandson.

I was going to look at easy to sew patterns because we live in different parts of the country. It will be hard to size them.

I asked my daughter what sizes the kids are. I guess I should probably buy patterns a size large?

8gr8kids

I sewed all my clothes when I was younger and patterns were simpler. You could buy a size 10 and get a size 10. Patterns now have several size markings on the patterns (from 6-12) and I have a hard time following them or cutting on the correct lines. I would rather make a dress or skirt from scratch than have to alter ready-mades. Ready-mades are made for tall thin young women rather than 5'2", 157 pound, seniors. If you were able to buy a vintage pattern, you are in luck. Go for it and learn.

janiesews

I have also made clothing since 5th grade and now feel like the pattern industry has made the patterns more user friendly. Usually I would read the entire instructions and make it the way the pattern said and if I made it a 2nd time I had "tricks" of my own and would change the pattern or instructions a little. I agree with others don't start with the Vogue pattern 1st. Good luck and you can do it.

steelecg

Alot depends on the pattern - it's not hard but fitting can be a problem - we use to pin pieces of the pattern (like the front and back and try them on to see if we needed to add or alter - good luck - just take your time and read the pattern carefully.

wickn34

Start by sewing for your child. There is little fitting and if you are not satisfied with your skill. It is no big loss. they can always wear it to bed. Pa tterns are not difficult to read; just take your time. Don't sew your finger like my sister did in home ec.

raptureready

It's not rocket science or brain surgery. Personally I hate using patterns but I learned to do it that way before I started making clothing without them. It's just like anything else that you're doing for the first time. Pick a time when you won't have many interruptions, read through the directions first, take a deep breath and dive in.

bstanbro

My mother taught me to sew and I used to make most of my clothes. It is definitely harder to do than piecing quilts. (Although I'm not sure it's any harder than finishing off a binding--my bugaboo.) I would suggest taking a class. You could learn a lot in just one class and save yourself a lot of frustration. If you're good at reading instructions and doing, then you'll do fine.

Butterflyblue

If you can, get her to measure them. I have found, though, that kids' sizes on the pattern envelope more accurately reflect ready-to-wear sizes than adult patterns.

Buying a size large would at least mean that if they can't wear it now, then they can someday, anyway. Another thing I've found - patterns ask you to cut elastic for the waist the exact measurement of the waist, but for me it seems to work better if I cut it an inch or so shorter. The first pair of pants I made my daughter were just hanging off of her, so I had to undo the waistband and take some of the elastic out.

I've never heard anyone else mention this, though. I do the same when sewing for myself, and also for pajama pants for my husband.