If you're reading this then I'm going to assume that you're into sewing. And therefore you'll already be acutely aware that, these days, sewing clothes is almost always more expensive than buying them from a shop. However, there are a number of ways that us sewers/sewists can keep the costs down (I've written about this here and here), and today I want to focus more on saving money on sewing patterns, specifically for children. Thanks to the generosity of many sewing pattern designers, it is entirely possible to create most of a fantastic child's wardrobe (or simply some lovely additions), just using free patterns.
This is not intended as an exhaustive list of free patterns, mind. These are patterns that appeal to me: that I've already tried or intend to try. Plus, I'll freely admit that I'm writing this post as a resource for myself as much as for anyone else! If there are any other free babies' or children's sewing patterns that you like, please do mention them in the comments section of this post.
Tops:
sizes 0 months - 6 years
I really enjoyed making the hoodie pictured above, and seeing my then-much-smaller little girl wearing it. I used some lovely, soft interlock which worked a treat. I'm already planning one for Frankie for when he gets a bit bigger. I'm not sure a hoodie is suitable for a baby who has yet to grow much of a neck!
(image source: Misusu Patterns via Sew Mama Sew)
Busy Kid Bib T-shirt by Misusu Patterns via Sew Mama Sew
sizes 0-3 months to 5-6 years
This lovely unisex pattern could be made in endless combinations of patterned and solid knits.
(image source: Shwin and Shwin)
sizes 1 - 5 years
This cute jacket/cardigan pattern is made from ponte de roma knit, and you could go to town with the embellishment or leave it plain. I think the biggest challenge would be finding an open ended zip that short!
(image source: Brindille & Twig)
sizes 0 months - 6 years
This would be a great pattern for reusing old adult T-shirts, plus it includes a long-sleeved version for cooler weather. I've just downloaded this to make as sleepwear.
(image source: Petitboo)
sizes 2 - 10 years
There are some super cute versions of this top pattern out there on the interwebs. I love the curved hem and folded sleeve details, and it could be lengthed into a dress pattern.
(image source: Ikatee patterns)
sizes 3 - 8 years (also Copenhagen blouse sizes 6 - 24 months)
This beautiful summer blouse pattern is one of the five free patterns on offer from the gorgeous French sewing pattern company, Ikatee, when you sign up to their mailing list.
(image source: Snip and Sew)
sizes 2 to 7 years
This site has a few fantastic free patterns that are designed to be upcycled from unwanted garments. This is another lovely top design on the same site.
(image source: Climbing the Willow)
sizes 18 months to 5 years and 6 to 12 years
This top pattern lends itself to using up scraps by mixing different fabrics for the yoke and skirt parts, plus could be lengthened into a dress.
(image source: Elegance and Elephants)
sizes 12 months - 9 years
These look so comfy!
These look so comfy!
(image source: Ikatee patterns)
sizes 3 - 8 years (also Barcelona jogpants sizes 6 - 24 months)
Another of the five free patterns on offer from Ikatee when you sign up to their mailing list. I'm seriously struggling to decide which to pick!
(image source: Sprouting Jube Jube)
sizes 2 - 10 years
I'm excited to give this one a whirl as my previous toddler/kids leggings attempts didn't fit well. This could also be lengthened to make a full length version.
(image source: Made by Rae)
sizes 3 - 6 months with instructions to modify pattern for larger sizes
I think that Rae is such an excellent designer, and being able to sample her work for free is a real treat. It can be hard to find fun baby tights, and even harder to find any that you might want to put a boy in (the benefit being that they feet stay covered, unlike with socks which so often come off). I reckon this could be a super useful pattern which could easily be made from the leftovers from other projects or from unwanted adult garments.
(image source: @botterman_empire on Instagram)
sizes 2 - 11 years (plus adult women's sizes)
I had forgotten all about this pattern until my amazingly talented friend Emily made the utterly perfect pair pictured above. I'll have to wait until Dolores is out of her phase of exclusively wearing dresses, then I will make a million pairs!
(image source: @horsesloveapples on Instagram)
sizes 6 months - 12 years
Check out this incredible festive pair pictured above! It immediately makes you start to think about what small pieces of awesome fabric you own to make into these shorts, doesn't it?! I think this is a wonderful basic shorts pattern, however I know I'm not alone in finding that it comes up a bit small, so you might want to opt for a size larger than you'd usually pick. These also could be lengthened to make trousers or pyjama bottoms. Fun patch pockets on the front or the bum would make great additions too.
(image source: lilypadmontana)
tutorial for full width of fabric, adjust elastic to fit wearer
There are probably about 20,000 basic gathered skirt tutorials out there, but Oliver + S instructions are always excellent so I'd be inclined to try this one. I like the little addition of the ribbon around the hem. This would be a great project to give as a gift; no non-sewer would realise how quick and simple it was to make!
(image source: Small Dreamfactory)
sizes approx. 0-2 months to 10 years
If you're looking for a simple A-line knit skirt then stop the clock. Pretty knit scraps, prepare to get used. Either of these skirt patterns would be great for making quick birthday presents.
Playsuits and dresses:
(image source: Elegance and Elephants)
sizes 12 months - 9 years
It'd make sense holding off making this until the child you are making it for can tell you that they need to wee more than four seconds before it starts to happen.
Scarlet Dress by Made by Oranges
sizes EU 74 - 164 (approx. height in cms)
The 'Made by Oranges' design team are the people behind My Image, B*Inspired and B-Trendy pattern magazines, and they've made a number of their patterns available in PDF form also. This spec drawing may not look super inspiring, but the modelled images that you can see here look really sweet. Plus a dress pattern with long sleeves can be a rare and valuable thing, depending on the climate where you live of course.
My daughter has a several hand-me-down dresses like this which are soooo useful in the summer. They are the perfect holiday garment if you're going somewhere warm because knit dresses don't need ironing. Fact.
Nightwear, underwear and swimwear:It'd make sense holding off making this until the child you are making it for can tell you that they need to wee more than four seconds before it starts to happen.
(image source: Purl Soho)
sizes 2 to 11 years
The same point above applies here! You could add a simple rectangle shape skirt piece to the bottom instead to make this pattern into a dress.
(image source: Made By Oranges)
Scarlet Dress by Made by Oranges
sizes EU 74 - 164 (approx. height in cms)
The 'Made by Oranges' design team are the people behind My Image, B*Inspired and B-Trendy pattern magazines, and they've made a number of their patterns available in PDF form also. This spec drawing may not look super inspiring, but the modelled images that you can see here look really sweet. Plus a dress pattern with long sleeves can be a rare and valuable thing, depending on the climate where you live of course.
(image source: It's always autumn)
sizes 4 to 14 years
It's like a mini April Rhodes's Staple dress! This simple knit dress is definitely a project that you could make the evening before setting off on holiday. They've also given instructions to modify this pattern into a raglan sleeved version for something a bit fancier.
(image source: Hey June)
sizes 12 months to 8 years
My daughter has a several hand-me-down dresses like this which are soooo useful in the summer. They are the perfect holiday garment if you're going somewhere warm because knit dresses don't need ironing. Fact.
For pyjamas, I reckon you could combine the Brindille & Twig Ringer tee pattern with the Oliver + S sunny day shorts (which could be made in knit and/or lengthened into trousers) or the Ikatee Barcelona or Jim jogpants (made in jersey or interlock, perhaps omitting the pockets). Hey June's Racerback dress (above) could be used to make a nightdress, as could:
(image source: Peek-a-boo pattern shop)
sizes 6 months to 10 years
Whether you intend this as a nightdress or not, this looks like a nice jersey dress pattern with long and short sleeve options. Great for showing off a couple of cute buttons.
(image source: Made by Jack's Mum)
sizes 6-12 months to 12 years
This pattern includes both boxer and brief styles and is for sale, but also available for free when you sign up to their news letter. This pattern might also work as swimwear if made in suitable fabric.
(image source: Small Dreamfactory)
sizes approx. 1-2 years to 5-6 years
An amazing scrap-buster if ever I saw one. This pattern requires fold over elastic and those small bits of pretty jersey that you weren't sure why you were hanging on to but couldn't bring yourself to chuck out.
(image source: Small Dreamfactory)
sizes approx. 9 months to 14 years
This is like an adorable kid's version of my free women's vest pattern! They recommend to use ribbing for the binding and straps, but I fancy trying it with some soft fold over elastic.
(image source: Life Sew Savory/Nap-Time Creations)
sizes: 18 months to 6 years
This pattern is listed as a 'girls tank' but it looks super unisex (and very cute) to me. It would be a great top for hot weather, or a cosy under layer in chillier months.
(image source: Small Dreamfactory)
sizes approx. 3 to 16 years
I was recently given some small pieces of swimwear fabric and I am so excited to give this pattern a try! You could also add some ruffles to the front and/or back like Swiss army wife did here.
Accessories:
Sizes approx. 6 months - 8 years
This version was my first whirl at this pattern, but I've made five in total so far and have no intention of stopping any time soon! It's such a fun and satisfying make, and my daughter completely lived in hers last summer.
(image source: swoodsonsays)
This useful blog post reviews four free beanie hat patterns. I like the look of the grey and black striped one and the blue one, both of which I'm hoping can be made from scraps or old garments.
(image source: niizo via Craftsy)
My little baby backpack by niizo
one size for approx. 2 to 6 years
This looks like a slightly more challenging project to create a really special, and hopefully long lasting, backpack.
