Hi everyone..
I’m Maxine and I’m new. I’m a member of several other online sewing forums and just discovered this one… I love Threads mag so even though I haven’t picked on up in years I am anxious to re aquaint myself with it’s extrordinary contents. This looks like a great start.
I am familiar with the difference between ready to wear and pattern sizes for my size, 7/8 = 12-14 or thereabouts. I would like to sew my niece something and need to know the pattern size I should buy. I will have to stick to general styles such as capes and hoodies, etc because she’s in another state and I don’t have her measurements. Until I get them I’m stuck.
If someone could be so kind as to inform me what pattern size I should select I would be very grateful…
She’s a 6x slim in jeans and dresses and she’s tall. (I don’t know how tall) She’s 8 years old if that’s a factor…
Also when I do get a chance to get measurements from my sister what measurements should I ask her to get?
Thanks everyone
Maxine
Replies
Kids have a remarkable way of growing out of their clothes so fast...... so if you are going to sew for them, make it quick! And ask for new measurements for each new project! You can't just keep a list of measures and sew all year!
Ask 'Mom' what she needs, or wants, and decide which measurements you will need based on the garment to be made. (since the child is not local to you, avoid fitted styles) Jumpers, 'A' line style, elastic waist Gypsy skirt, etc...
Children's clothing should have a little growing room as well as 'ease', so don't over-fit. Start with the basic set of measures listed on the pattern and add some length/ height measures (since she is tall for her age) and give'Mom' specific instructions on how and where to take the measurements (not over clothes!)
chest, waist, hip, back bodice length, back length (neck to hem), sleeve length. These would give you most of what you will need.
Hope this helps,
Becky
Sewing for a tall 8-year-old...ah, the memories! My tall dd is now 22, and I'm still sewing for her and loving it! However, I agree with the other posters that pattern sizing for children is even less accurate than that for women, sadly! Even in readymade clothes, a size 6x can vary by several inches in any or all directions; the patterns for that size are most likely a girls' size 8, but some of those patterns are big enough to fit a mom!
After you talk with the mom and daughter about styles, colors, and garments she'd like--good advice from the other poster-- send the mom a rough sketch of what you will make and ask her to measure one of the girl's current garments (not her body): width, length, collar size, inseams, or whatever. Then you can compare these measurements to the pattern pieces and produce a garment that fits the same way (or a little bigger). If the mom is very handy, you could ask her to trace a pattern on waxed paper of certain important fitting areas--shoulders, waist/hip area--of well-fitting garments she has.
If your niece is tall and slim, like my dd, you may need to use a fairly small pattern size but lengthen everything; when she was 8, I was adding 4" in length to a size 6 pattern, although her body measurements would've suggested a size 10. Sometimes, I had to take out half the width of the garment back while making the front the normal size, but I had a willing model to test everything on!
If all else fails, you might want to make accessories, totes, ponchos, pillows, and toys that don't need to fit at all!
Thanks you guys... this is awesome information and I will decide what to make after talking to my sis about getting some measurements... I love her but getting her to do stuff is a brick wall thing if you get my drift... I am leaning toward the tote/accessories idea. I am in the process of making her a tote as we speak out of vinyl and some cute colorful decorations so continuing that is just fine with me..
I think I can get away with a capelett or a poncho. I have seen a couple of patterns and they are so cute. I'll try to get some measurements and go from there..
Thanks again, this has been a great help... Maxine
What a lucky niece you have! I have sewn for tall, skinny kids for years and a lot of it long-distance. I recently recovered a 38 year old pattern size T2 and the alteration I had written on it was add 1" bodice length and 4" hemline--she requires the same changes today! What works best for me is measuring something the correct size myself, then my opinion is the only one in the mixture. If you don't know any children,
go to a thrift store or department store and measure their clothes (sometimes I have to do this anyway to buy rtw gifts). Uncommon measurements I recommend are across the back of the neck from shoulder seam to shoulder seam (most important), crotch depth front and back, front waist length from shoulder to waist, and back waist length to knee and to floor, then you can make decisions about hems with confidence. Just to encourage you, my SIL asked me years ago to store a keepsake box for her daughter; she just didn't have room. My niece is now 26 and when I delivered the box to her, a lot of it was the special occasion outfits sewn for her by her aunts when she was under 10 years old! Kleenex time--Galey
This is absolutely invaluable information... I can't thank you enough. I am going to measure rtw as soon as I get to Walmart based on your list of measurements and the standard ones added to that...
Here's the pattern I bought today. I thought it would be a good start as a test.
Lizzie McGuire 4386 SizeBB M-XL
Thanks all of you for the very helpful advice. I belong to several other sewing forums and have gotten 'zip' (hardly any useable info) in response to this same question. You guys are awesome
Maxine
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