Making kids' clothes...

[amandaleigh37]

I'm a beginner. I've made a lot of simple things and stuff like aprons, and most recently a mei tai. I'd *love* to make some clothes for my kiddos (DS 2.5yo and DS2 due next month), but I have a few questions.

Will a basic sewing machine be enough? I don't have (and have never used) a serger or anything fancy.

Where do you get patterns for simple things? I'm thinking like sleeveless shirts or simple shorts/pants for summer. Nothing fancy.

Any other tips or suggestions for simple things to get started? I keep seeing so many adorable dresses and things for girls that look simple, but not a lot for boys...

[velcromom]

I'm a beginner too and I'm using my basic sewing machine, no fancy stuff. There are a ton of free patterns online, and you can even use the clothes your little one already has as a guide to trace out a basic pattern.

I agree it's harder to find cute things for boys!

[sabrinat]

With the ages of your kids. I would get Kwik Sew for babies and Kwik Sew for toddlers. You will be able to make a ton of stuff, plus the books are very good at teaching you great construction methods.

[Gremco]

I've done some very advanced sewing, and I've rarely used any stitch besides the basic straight stitch. I don't use a serger. If I am worried about fraying fabric I can always do finished seams using a basic machine.

I check out sales fliers for my local fabric stores. Quite often one brand will be on sale for a dollar or so. Almost every brand has a basic kids set. If you find a pattern you like, buy it in multiple sizes, and trace the size you need to a separate piece of paper so you can use the pattern more than once.

My advice would to not be intimidated. Clothes are really not as hard as you would think.

[KinderKim]

Here is a website with tons of free tutorials for making kids clothes and other stuff too.

http://somethingsewspecial.blogspot....tutorials.html

Clothing isnt as hard as it seems. I love sewing for my daughter!

[lach]

I too do a lot of advanced sewing and almost never use anything except the basic straight stitch and an overcast stitch (which I use in place of serging). That's all you really need.

I second the Kwik Sew patterns: they are very good. McCalls patterns also tend to be good. I do not tend to have good luck with Simplicity. There's a wonderful pattern company called Oliver+S that I love sewing from, but those patterns are pretty pricey. (In reality, they're not more pricey than the big name patterns, it's just that it's hard NOT to buy those for at least 50% off).

[AlwaysByMySide]

I have a serger (but I sew for profit, as well as for myself/my kids, so I actually need it), but on my sewing machine, I only ever use the straight stitch and a zig zag stitch.

I've enjoyed sewing clothes much more after getting the serger, but when you are just starting out, it's better to keep it simple. A serger will make things like gathering for dresses and skirts a little bit easier, but doing that isn't impossible with "just" a sewing machine.

Jo-Ann's is running a 5 patterns for $5 of the Simplicity brand right now, and Hancock's had McCall's for 88 cents this past weekend. Just check their websites for the sale ads for whatever is coming up next. Most patterns at Wal-mart are $5 or less, if yours still has a fabric department.

I search out cute fabrics for boy stuff...it seems like the only way to keep his clothes interesting.