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Sewing for kids. How do you do it?
Well it isn’t magic.
Parents who sew clothes that their kids love and wear all have one thing in common.
In short – they allow their kids to decide what they like. It took me a while to crack this nut and hopefully I can help you.
In this post, you will learn how to sew clothes your kids will love. But first, let’s examine why this is so important.
Table of Contents
Kids, individuality and personal style
When I had my first child – I had this idea that my job was to mould them into being a citizen of the the world with my preconceived notions of what that should look like.
By the time my second one arrived, I quickly realised that each child is a unique individual and my role isn’t to make them into something but to provide a safe and sane environment for them to grow into who they are.
That was a hard epiphany to accept being a former “Tiger Mum” before the book even came out.
When I started sewing it was to sew for my twins and I had ideas of them wearing nice Nani Iro inspired clothes – always pristine, slightly feminine with a tomboy edge.
Initially, this worked since they were little and didn’t really have a choice in what I dressed them in.
The problem was when they started to have a voice and say that they didnt like this, that or the other.
I resisted initally – insisting that this is such a cute fabric surely if I sew you a dress in it you will wear it.
Nope! Not even sulking would change their minds.
Eventually, I decided that I was done sewing clothes for them if I was going to spend hours making them something that I could buy secondhand anyway I might as well save the time, money, and effort.
The paradigm shift
Later, one of my kids came to me with a plan to sew a pillow and he wanted to go and get some fabric for it – I was excited and went along to the shop – you can read more on it here (he wrote the post himself).
Needless to say – he loved his project that he had selected the fabric for – even though I didnt like the fabric personally.
But the way his confidence shone through when he talked about his project and subsequent projects that he was involved in was amazing. It gave me pause for thought.
I applied the same principle to my daughter’s birthday dresses and they chose fabric and patterns. – They love those dresses so much. Even some wonky looking leggings that they cut out and sewed themselves. They constantly look for them and wear them all the time!
It is hard to think of letting go of your child’s personal style but it is so good for their self-esteem to be allowed to wear and consequently imagine what they want to wear.
With that in mind…..
7 Top Tips for Sewing for Kids
1. Let them make their wacky choices
Hold your tongue – if you do not have anything nice to say, don’t. Just don’t say it.
More kids sewing posts
2. Don’t let kids sewing projects marinate
On January 19 2020, my daughter was measured against our family height chart. By April 26th 2020 she had grown 1.5″. Kids have growth spurts which you never know when they will hit. I have wasted too many projects that were traced or cut out and by the time I wanted to sew up – they had outgrown the size!
3. Use easy-care fabric i.e. not too precious
I used to love quilted fabric prints and how quirky they were. But they were woven and needed ironing to look as cute as they did on the bolt. Easy care is the way to go. And while we are at it – jersey stretch fabrics are the way to go. Stretch fabrics can absorb growth spurts in a way that woven fabric never will.
4. Make it awesome
If you are going to put in the effort you might as well make it something unusual. Otherwise, it is cheaper to just buy from H&M.
5. Involve them
I don’t know why it’s taken me so long to realise that of course, they love the things they are involved in more.
Its the same with food – my kids will eat anything they have had a hand in making or growing at the allotment.
In the past, I have indulged them when they happened to be with me while I was fabric shopping or when I made birthday dresses.
But now I see an opportunity to do an activity together – wherein I help them to create the visions they have in their heads. I am open to what may otherwise seem like odd combos to me and I get excited to see where that will take us.
6. You don’t have to sew everything for them
Needs no explanation :-).
Read: TOP 5 KIDS SEWING BOOKS FOR DRESSMAKERS
7. Above all else enjoy yourselves!
Everything doesn’t have to be Pinterest worthy. It is the memories that make it worthwhile.
If you have read this far thank you and I’d love to know – do have any kids sewing advice? Let me know in the comments. In the meantime, please share, Pin and save for later.
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