Free Pattern Friday: Petite Pegs for Babies

Welcome to my monthly 'Free Pattern Friday' feature, where I road test a free sewing pattern or tutorial: sometimes a children's one, sometimes an adult's one. I try to publish these posts every first Friday of the month, timed to provide inspiration for those who plan to get their sew on over the weekend. I firmly believe that, if you pick your projects carefully, sewing doesn't have to be a crazy-expensive way to clothe yourself and your family. Thanks to all the amazing pattern designers who have offered up their hard work for us to enjoy for free.

This wasn't the project I had planned for this month's instalment of Free Pattern Friday. However, I decided to make a last minute panic new baby project for a family we recently met, so I thought I could kill two birds with one stone. I'm out of the loop with baby sewing these days, but my Fabric Godmother colleague Phoebe reminded me of the excellent Petite Pegs pattern by Patterns for Pirates. I have absolutely downloaded and printed this one out before but, for some reason, I must have chucked most of my baby wear patterns into the recycling at some point. Anyway, huge thanks for Pattern for Pirates for sharing this great free pattern, along with the many other free patterns they have available, including more for babies. 

(image source: Patterns for Pirates)

Pattern type:

The website describes this pattern as 'a traditional legging with a knit waistband. They are a bit looser for baby to have growing room and a higher rise to cover diapers/nappies. They come with shorties (great for under dresses!), bike, capri and ankle length.

This pattern consists of just two pieces, the legs and the waistband. You could have a lot of fun mixing and matching prints, patterns and solid coloured jerseys. 

There is only one PDF file to contend with which includes both the instructions and the print-at-home pattern pages. 

Sizing info:

The pattern is graded into six sizes, from premmie baby to 12 months. I made the 3 month size because I wasn't sure if the family I was making these for had been swamped with new baby clothes. 

Fabric info:

In the pattern itself you are recommended to choose four way stretch jersey with at least 50% stretch horizontally and vertically with good recovery. They advise using a fabric with spandex/Lycra, which I would say is essential for making a waistband like this that isn't elasticated. I used a scrap of cotton/Lycra jersey I found in the scraps bin at work. It's a lovely blush colour with denim-blue stripes that I hope gives a gender neutral vibe. 

Findings:

This is a great little pattern that could only be improved, in my opinion, with more professional line drawings showing the style more clearly, and a different choice of typeface in the instructions. 

I like that there are lots of additional resources in the form of videos and blog posts to help beginners get to grips with using sewing patterns generally, and this one specifically. 

The only thing I'd add to the instructions is the suggestion to add a label to the back, because it's hard enough trying to dress a wriggly baby without making it clear what is the front and back. 

Would I make this again?

Absolutely! I've kept all the sizes in tact and traced off just the one size, so this will probably be my go-to baby pressie project going forwards.