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Newbie question Cookie 02-04-2006
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Posted by Cookie on February 4, 2006, 8:54 am
Although I've done lots of embroidery, I'm about to embark upon my first
clothing sewing project. I've selected a simple pattern to make a flannel
nightgown for my daughter, choosing one that had several sizes close to
their "off the rack" size. Most of their store bought nightgowns are size
3-4, so I bought a pattern that contained sizes 2, 3, 4 and 5. However,
when I look at the finished garment measurements on the envelope they seem
WAY larger than the store bought garments. Am I doing something wrong or is
it normal to require a much smaller pattern size than "off the rack" size?

TIA
Cookie



Posted by Liz MacDonald on February 4, 2006, 9:57 am
Hi Cookie, and welcome to the fun of sewing for little girls. That's
how I started. A nightgown is an excellent project.
You will find that pattern sizes not only differ from "off the rack"
sizes, they will vary hugely among the different brands.
What I'd suggest doing is measure one of the gowns you have, and find
the pattern size that will give you something in the right ballpark.
Also, measure your daughter's chest, and check the pattern envelope for
her size. You'll be able to compare the chest size to the finished
garment size and see how much ease has been designed into the pattern.
That'll tell you if the designer expects it to be tent-like or more
fitted.
The flannel will shrink some when washed, so if you were making
something in which shrinkage would be a problem, it's recommended to
wash and dry the yardage first. I wouldn't worry about that for a
nightgown - I never did.
Have fun! There's nothing like the feeling when your child proudly
tells someone that you made it for her.
Liz

Cookie wrote:
> Although I've done lots of embroidery, I'm about to embark upon my first
> clothing sewing project. I've selected a simple pattern to make a flannel
> nightgown for my daughter, choosing one that had several sizes close to
> their "off the rack" size. Most of their store bought nightgowns are size
> 3-4, so I bought a pattern that contained sizes 2, 3, 4 and 5. However,
> when I look at the finished garment measurements on the envelope they seem
> WAY larger than the store bought garments. Am I doing something wrong or is
> it normal to require a much smaller pattern size than "off the rack" size?
>
> TIA
> Cookie
>
>

Posted by Cookie on February 4, 2006, 10:18 am
Thank you very much for you help! I have already washed the fabric and it
is ready to go. I will use the measurements of her current nightgowns and
choose my pattern size based on those measurements.

I appreciate the quick reply!

> Hi Cookie, and welcome to the fun of sewing for little girls. That's how
> I started. A nightgown is an excellent project.
> You will find that pattern sizes not only differ from "off the rack"
> sizes, they will vary hugely among the different brands.
> What I'd suggest doing is measure one of the gowns you have, and find the
> pattern size that will give you something in the right ballpark. Also,
> measure your daughter's chest, and check the pattern envelope for her
> size. You'll be able to compare the chest size to the finished garment
> size and see how much ease has been designed into the pattern. That'll
> tell you if the designer expects it to be tent-like or more fitted.
> The flannel will shrink some when washed, so if you were making something
> in which shrinkage would be a problem, it's recommended to wash and dry
> the yardage first. I wouldn't worry about that for a nightgown - I never
> did.
> Have fun! There's nothing like the feeling when your child proudly tells
> someone that you made it for her.
> Liz
>
> Cookie wrote:
>> Although I've done lots of embroidery, I'm about to embark upon my first
>> clothing sewing project. I've selected a simple pattern to make a
>> flannel nightgown for my daughter, choosing one that had several sizes
>> close to their "off the rack" size. Most of their store bought
>> nightgowns are size 3-4, so I bought a pattern that contained sizes 2, 3,
>> 4 and 5. However, when I look at the finished garment measurements on
>> the envelope they seem WAY larger than the store bought garments. Am I
>> doing something wrong or is it normal to require a much smaller pattern
>> size than "off the rack" size?
>>
>> TIA
>> Cookie
>>


Posted by Kate Dicey on February 4, 2006, 5:33 pm
Cookie wrote:

> Although I've done lots of embroidery, I'm about to embark upon my first
> clothing sewing project. I've selected a simple pattern to make a flannel
> nightgown for my daughter, choosing one that had several sizes close to
> their "off the rack" size. Most of their store bought nightgowns are size
> 3-4, so I bought a pattern that contained sizes 2, 3, 4 and 5. However,
> when I look at the finished garment measurements on the envelope they seem
> WAY larger than the store bought garments. Am I doing something wrong or is
> it normal to require a much smaller pattern size than "off the rack" size?
>
> TIA
> Cookie
>
>
It depends on the brand of pattern and the age group it's for! I have
found that you need to measure the pattern pieces carefully with kid's
clothes: for toddlers they seem to build in enough wearing ease and
growth room for a herd of heffalumps on steroids! I think they design
them for the sort of mum who takes 18 months to complete a garment so
the kid is 3 sizes bigger than they were when she cut it out... On the
other hand, I always have to add length to the ones I cut out for my
son: OK, he's very tall and well built for his age (11 and the size of
many 14 YO's!), but even when I cut for his waist measurement I need to
add 3 or 4 inches to leg length. Ready to wear stuff usually needs
taking UP!.

There's no logic to it.

--
Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
http://www.katedicey.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!

Posted by Doreen on February 4, 2006, 5:57 pm
Kate Dicey wrote:
> Cookie wrote:
>
>> Although I've done lots of embroidery, I'm about to embark upon my
>> first clothing sewing project. I've selected a simple pattern to make
>> a flannel nightgown for my daughter, choosing one that had several
>> sizes close to their "off the rack" size. Most of their store bought
>> nightgowns are size 3-4, so I bought a pattern that contained sizes 2,
>> 3, 4 and 5. However, when I look at the finished garment measurements
>> on the envelope they seem WAY larger than the store bought garments.
>> Am I doing something wrong or is it normal to require a much smaller
>> pattern size than "off the rack" size?
>>
>> TIA
>> Cookie
>>
>>
> It depends on the brand of pattern and the age group it's for! I have
> found that you need to measure the pattern pieces carefully with kid's
> clothes: for toddlers they seem to build in enough wearing ease and
> growth room for a herd of heffalumps on steroids! I think they design
> them for the sort of mum who takes 18 months to complete a garment so
> the kid is 3 sizes bigger than they were when she cut it out... On the
> other hand, I always have to add length to the ones I cut out for my
> son: OK, he's very tall and well built for his age (11 and the size of
> many 14 YO's!), but even when I cut for his waist measurement I need to
> add 3 or 4 inches to leg length. Ready to wear stuff usually needs
> taking UP!.
>
> There's no logic to it.
>

I've found Kwik Sew children's patterns to be the most dependably
accurate, so far as sizing goes, and the instructions usually specify
the fastest and easiest methods of construction...also, the 1/4" seam
allowances cut down on fabric waste.

Doreen in Alabama

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