What to sew for baby: so many possibilities!
Always with the goal of learning new sewing techniques, making baby clothes quickly becomes a must. The steps for making them are the same as for larger pieces, but they require much less fabric and are so cute to look at. To complement the accessories you may have sewn following my last article, today I’m offering you a variety of small projects to create your baby’s wardrobe or to fill out that of a loved one. This is mainly a compilation of my favorites when it comes time to prepare gifts, or patterns that have been recommended to me and that I’d love to try. Given the current political context, to support the local economy, I’ve also tried to add some Canadian pattern options to my selection.
Which fabric to choose?
All the patterns presented in this article are made with stretch fabrics like jersey or French Terry. To make dressing the baby easier, it’s also recommended to make the neck, waistband, and cuffs with ribbing, since it stretches more. As all these fibers are Oeko-Tex certified, and even organic at NON NON OUI, they are an excellent choice for the delicate skin of little ones.
My favorite picks for tops
My must-have for a classic short- or long-sleeved shirt is definitely the Pomme from NON NON OUI. As it is free and local too, you just can’t do without it. Also, while most of the tops offered by Lowland Kids for babies are great to add to their wardrobe, the two I prefer to sew are the Nap Tee and the Dolman Tee. I also recently fell in love with the Vintage Sweatshirt from Brindille and Twig, which I’ve included in all the gifts I’ve given lately. I also wouldn’t hesitate to make the Drop Shoulder Tee from Gus and Steel, which I still like for my older boy.
It can be a good idea to sew a few bodysuits to put under certain tops or to wear directly with pants. By using the term bodysuit in your searches on different pattern sites, you can sometimes find several options, as is the case on the Peek-A-Boo site. I really enjoyed making the Relaxed Fit Bodysuit Pattern from this company. For a slightly looser version that can be worn with tights, I really like the Sweater Romper from Lowland. To support local shopping, Jalie offers a bodysuit pattern that even includes an applique and a collar decoration to vary the styles.
My favorite picks for bottoms
Once again, Lowland Kids is my go-to. All the pants offered are beautiful, but the ones I prefer to sew for babies are the Naps Joggers, the Cozy Footies and the Gusset Pants. These are my favorites because they’re still easy and quick to sew, which can be an advantage for people new to sewing. I sometimes make the Slant Pocket Skinnies when I’m looking for a slimmer fit. The free legging from Sustainable Cloth Co is also a great free option to consider. If you’re looking for a more local option, you’ll find a wider selection among grow-with-me pants.
Grow-with-me clothes, an interesting choice!
Although grow-with-me clothing seems to have lost some of its huge popularity in recent years, it still remains a wise choice to ensure a longer lifespan for clothes. As we know, babies grow so fast that many one-size pieces don't get the chance to be worn often. NON NON OUI offers a pants pattern, the grow-with-me pants that fit from 3 months to 3 years. It’s available for free in the files by joining the shop’s Facebook group. I’ve also sewn the Grow With Me Pullover from Peek-A-Boo a lot. Otherwise, Apple Tree Sewing, a Canadian company, remains a reference when it comes to designing grow-with-me clothing patterns.
Pajamas
I don’t have much experience sewing baby pajamas. I’ve always dressed my two children every day since birth, so when it comes to giving a gift, I tend to sew more little pants with matching tops. That’s probably also because it seems easier to make. That said, many parents prefer to have their baby in pajamas all day: a practical choice that can be just as adorable. If you’re looking for the classic zip-up pajama, here are four suggestions:
For an option made in Quebec, the footed pajama for all from Jalie. However, it starts at 12 months.
Classic Zipper PJS Pattern from Peek-A-Boo
Zipper Sleeper from Gus & Steel
Millie Zip Pajamas from Sustainable Cloth Co
If you’re not comfortable installing a zipper, you can sew a pajama with snap buttons at the front. The Lullaby Line Snap Pajamas Pattern from Peek-A-Boo is a must-have. The Snap Sleeper from Lowland Kids is also a great option. I also found a New Brunswick option on Etsy. It’s the baby pajamas from Toolfully. To add variety to baby’s wardrobe, pajamas with a wrap-stylefront opening can also be a great alternative. The Bear Hug Wrap Romper Pattern from Peek-A-Boo is a favorite for many. The Baby East Romper from Lowland Kids also offers great options. In fact, both of these patterns are called romper, which opens up even more possibilities for sewing clothes that can be worn both day and night. The Raglan Romper or the Jude Romper from Lowland Kids are beautiful examples. If you’re looking for nightwear patterns in the sleep sackstyle, Lowland Kids still offers great options:
The Knotted Sleeper
The Sleep Sack
The Lapneck Gown
In my last article, I suggested the bonnet pattern that came with this type of nightgown, the Bunny Baby Sack now available on The Sewing Site. That way, you get two great patterns in one purchase. However, if you’re looking for a more classic two-piece pajamapattern, the Alex And Anna Pajamas from Peek-A-Boo or the free Baby and Kids Snuggle Pajamas from Petite Stitchery are good choices, but note that they start at size 3 months.
To conclude, although Peek-A-Boo and Lowland Kids are my main sources of inspiration when it comes to sewing for little ones, it’s always worth taking a look elsewhere and trying different companies, maybe even more so those from our own area. By testing the free pattern(s) they usually offer, you can see if you’re comfortable with the size chart, the way the pattern is made, how the tutorials are presented… That’s how I discovered Brindille and Twig, among others, by making the Ringer Tee which is free on their site. Don’t forget that sewing for babies is one of the best ways to learn. It costs much less in fabric to make mistakes and experiment!
Happy sewing!
Julie XOXO