I have so many cute ideas for decorations on baby clothes, but i have no patterns to make the actual clothes. Does anyone know where i can find free patterns to make baby onesies, dresses, shorts, overalls,etc???? ![]()
Kwik Sew sells a book with a number of basic patterns from birth to age two bound into the back. You trace off the size & pattern pieces that you want to use. I ended up with the baby, toddler, children, and swim suit pattern books for my own use (love the patterns). Their sizing reflects ready to wear and the pattern drafters don’t accidentally use the ease requirements for garments intended for adults (another company’s pattern for a size 2 toddler’s shorts, tank top, and baseball shirt ended up not really fitting my son until he was six – and he wasn’t THAT small for his age, running around the 55% to 60% percentile on the average growth chart).
Wild Ginger (www.wildginger.com) has a free pattern drafting program with some patterns sized for preemies – I don’t remember if it goes to larger sizes.
Martha Pullen has some heirloom sewing patterns (smocking, lace insertion, and embroidery) that are based on techniques used on clothes made for babies & children in the past – they are usually used for dressier events (christenings, photo shoots at various holidays, or because Grandma loves the techniques) in modern times.
Another option is to buy a baby garment at a thrift store or garage sale and carefully take it apart to make a pattern from it. Take notes on how you take it apart, then start at the last thing you did and reverse things to put a new garment together after. If it works well – trace it on paper to keep as a "master pattern" for yourself with notes on the direction of stretch, location of snaps or buttons, how many you need to cut of that pattern piece (two sleeves, one front, one back, two fronts for pants, etc.).