Childrens pattern sizing
Monica & Bob Walker
Hi-
I need some help choosing the correct pattern size for a child. My
good friends are adopting a little boy and will be returning this weekend
from Russia with their new son. The boy will turn 3 in November and is
average to slightly smaller than average size for his age. I want to
make a few outfits for him so his new parents don't have to buy
everything at once.
I've asked around and determined that I should buy a size 3T for now
and a 4T to "grow into" in ready-to-wear sizes. But, how do childrens
pattern sizes compare to childrens RTW sizes? I wouldn't buy a misses
size 12 pattern for a friend who wore RTW size 12; are kids and toddlers
sizes also skewed?
I am also confused about the difference between the toddlers
(2T-3T-4T) and the childrens (3-4-5...) sizes shown in the pattern books.
I see that the toddlers and the childrens 3/3T and 4/4T offered by a
given pattern company are *very* close to the same measurements. What is
the rationale for choosing between the "T"-sizes and the others?
My only "kids" are furry ones (dogs) so any help with size selection
would be appreciated.
TIA,
Monica Walker in rainy No. Virginia
walk...@erols.com
Kathy Henry
the toddler allows for diapers.
Kathy Henry
Margo Anderson
; are kids and toddlers
> > sizes also skewed?
> >
You bet they are, especially McCalls. I've now made two McCalls
outfits that ended up getting put away for almost a year for my son
to grow into them --and I chose the size by his measurements, not his
age. What's up at McCalls? Giant toddler fit models?
Margo Anderson
Tammy Cinotto
The difference between Toddlers and childrens in that category
are whether they wear diapers or not. The toddlers need
extra room for the diapers and the others do not.
tlc
Anne Paulson
I don't know what's up with McCall's, but I've had the same problems:
patterns that obviously were way too big for the measurements listed.
Other McCall's childrens' patterns I've examined have clearly been graded
incorrectly.
I recommend using Kwik-Sew patterns (available from SewBaby!- check
their web page) and the Kwik-Sew Sewing for Babies/Toddlers/Children
books.
You can compare sizes by taking a kids' clothing mailorder catalog,
figuring out what measurements they use for a 3T, and then selecting
the pattern size that matches those measurements. Land's End says a
3T is a 36" tall child who is 22- 20 1/2-23. That child would wear a
3T in Kwik-Sew, a 36 months in Stretch and Sew, and a 92 cm in Burda.
Kwik-Sew, Stretch and Sew, and Burda are all true to size in my
experience.
-- Anne Paulson
AJH
In article <325271...@erols.com>, Monica & Bob Walker
<walk...@erols.com> writes
>Hi-
> I need some help choosing the correct pattern size for a child. My
>good friends are adopting a little boy and will be returning this weekend
>from Russia with their new son.
How nice
> The boy will turn 3 in November and is
>average to slightly smaller than average size for his age. I want to
>make a few outfits for him so his new parents don't have to buy
>everything at once.
Lovely idea
>
> I've asked around and determined that I should buy a size 3T for now
>and a 4T to "grow into" in ready-to-wear sizes. But, how do childrens
>pattern sizes compare to childrens RTW sizes? I wouldn't buy a misses
>size 12 pattern for a friend who wore RTW size 12; are kids and toddlers
>sizes also skewed?
I'm not altogether sure how the American sizes work, but my kids are 4
and 5 1/2 and relatively slightly built. I've made Stretch and Sew
patterns up for them with no problem. Jo wears the smallest (21" chest)
size and Pete the next size up. If I were you I'd make age 4, and
choose styles and fabrics which allow the ends to be rolled up to begin
with. The Burda 'toddler' edition is a good source of patterns, esp
winter coats, but beware, German kids seem to be built _awfully_ wide,
so you might need to juggle the measurements - make a size smaller but
lengthen the pieces.
> I am also confused about the difference between the toddlers
>(2T-3T-4T) and the childrens (3-4-5...) sizes shown in the pattern books.
> I see that the toddlers and the childrens 3/3T and 4/4T offered by a
>given pattern company are *very* close to the same measurements. What is
>the rationale for choosing between the "T"-sizes and the others?
If I've got it right the 'T' sizes allow room for a nappy and therefore
have a greater crotch depth and shorter legs. Hopefully at 3 this
lad'll have cracked the nappy business long since, although he might
regress as a reaction to the stress of a new family. If that's a
problem, age 4 trousers should still have enough room. I honestly
wouldn't bother with T sizes or those naff crotch snaps at his age.
Sweat pants, bermudas and a couple of fleece tops are going to be _much_
more use.
> My only "kids" are furry ones (dogs) so any help with size selection
>would be appreciated.
Why not go to a couple of department stores/ supermarkets near you armed
with a tape measure. Measure some of the clothes, then pluck up the
courage to ask a couple passing of mums to lend you their kids for a
minute. They might give you a funny look, but if you explain you're
'shopping' for a 3yo you've not met yet, they'll probably be OK about it
- if not, ask someone else.
--
AJH in UK
GfromKC
>>I don't know what's up with McCall's, but I've had the same problems:
patterns that obviously were way too big for the measurements listed.
Other McCall's childrens' patterns I've examined have clearly been graded
incorrectly.<<
I've seen complaints here before on this subject...but this works well for
some of us! As the Mom of two slightly chubby girls, I have great success
with McCalls patterns! They are the only ones with enought fitting ease
for bigger kids! Aside from time-consuming pattern alterations, this is a
good option, as the pattern companies no longer offer "chubbie" sizes.
Gayle Leonard
Paul and Gwen
Toddler sizes don't just account
for diaper-wearing, they are also
shorter.
Gwen
pen...@qis.net
On 1996-10-03 a...@starlt.demon.co.uk said:
>>Hi-
>> I need some help choosing the correct pattern size for a child.
>>My good friends are adopting a little boy and will be returning
>> I've asked around and determined that I should buy a size
>If I've got it right the 'T' sizes allow room for a nappy and
>therefore have a greater crotch depth and shorter legs. Hopefully
>at 3 this lad'll have cracked the nappy business long since,
Can you tell this to my youngest? She doesn't care at all.
>Why not go to a couple of department stores/ supermarkets near you
>armed with a tape measure. Measure some of the clothes, then pluck
>up the courage to ask a couple passing of mums to lend you their
>kids for a minute. They might give you a funny look, but if you
>explain you're 'shopping' for a 3yo you've not met yet, they'll
>probably be OK about it - if not, ask someone else.
My now 6 year old used to love it when some grandmotherly-type
asked to measure her for making things for a non-present child. I
know I never objected to helping someone, and it made her feel
special! It is worthy of note, however that you should ask the
mom how things fit on that child, since I know my daughter was
(and still is) on the scrawny side (I cut her patterns at a size
2 diameter and a size 6 in length). Needless to say I can't
really comment on pattern grading, since none fit my girls.
Things I've made for others have been OK as long as I didn't use
Butterick.
$.01
BREAKFAST.COM Halted... Cereal port not responding
`[1;32;40mNet-Tamer V 1.06 - Test Drive
Cissy . Thorpe
On 2 Oct 1996, Margo Anderson wrote:
> ; are kids and toddlers
> > > sizes also skewed?
> > >
>
> You bet they are, especially McCalls. I've now made two McCalls
> outfits that ended up getting put away for almost a year for my son
>
> to grow into them --and I chose the size by his measurements, not his
> age. What's up at McCalls? Giant toddler fit models?
>
> Margo Anderson
>
>
>
Infant patterns especially!! McCalls is the worst of the big ones. When
my first grandson was due I made lots of flannel and knit kimonos - he
wore them, but they didn't fit until he was nearly a year! Now he is
nearly two, and the shorts pattern I have been using I have taken to the
nearest Kinkos and reduced by 20% - they are working fine.
I thought seriously about using doll patterns when my daughter told me
she was again pregnant.
Cissy
Ileen
Monica & Bob Walker <walk...@erols.com> wrote:
> I've asked around and determined that I should buy a size 3T for now
>and a 4T to "grow into" in ready-to-wear sizes. But, how do childrens
>pattern sizes compare to childrens RTW sizes? I wouldn't buy a misses
>size 12 pattern for a friend who wore RTW size 12; are kids and toddlers
>sizes also skewed?
My daughter is a size 4 or 5 in RTW (it depends on the brand of
clothing) and is a size 4 in Kwik Sew, Burda, and New Look. The size
4 in these pattern companies fit nicely with just a little room to
grow (to make it through the season, but probably not to next year.)
I made her some pajamas from a Butterick pattern and the "medium" size
that was supposed to fit size 3 or 4 came out too big.
All four of these companies have pretty much the same vital stats
listed for a size 4, but for some reason the Butterick came out much
bigger than I expected.
The thing about most children this age is they are basically tube
shaped with appendages sticking out. Since most children's clothing
is not tightly fitted, the most important size dimension is height as
opposed to bust, waist or hip. The other thing of course, is that
they are always growing so if it's too big now, it will fit eventually
-- so better too big than too small.
As for the "T" designation in RTW, it designates Toddler and is
supposed to allow more room for a diaper. But these days, disposable
diapers are ultra-trim and don't take up much more room than panties.
Cloth diapers would require extra room in the seating area.
Ileen
Anne Winslow
Hopefully
> >at 3 this lad'll have cracked the nappy business long since,
>Can you tell this to my youngest? She doesn't care at all.
My Ian decide to become a nudist at around 18 months. As long as he
wasn't wearing clothes he used the WC but in clothes was another problem..
..... He's 9 now and housebroken..... but don't tell him I told you ;>
-
Anne in Port Orchard
Dianne Lewandowski
I enjoyed AJH's from UK reponse to this query. I have done just what she
suggested, and have never been refused by a "mom". They do give you a
strange look, but if you're friendly and explain, they're more than
accomodating.
McCalls, Simplicity, Butterick and Vogue patterns that I have tried
for children in the 3-6 age group tend to be larger than their age. New
Look appears to have been designed for very large babies - as there is
far too much "ease" built into the patterns - at least on the smaller
sizes that I have tried.
Even though all Size 3 between different pattern companies may all state
the same chest measurement, the designers seem to have gone overboard in
ease in some pattern companies.
So, the suggestion to measure some RTW outfits and then compare them to a
pattern in the same size is a good one.
Dianne
michael krassler
> >> > sizes also skewed?
> >> >
>
> >outfits that ended up getting put away for almost a year for my son
>
> > to grow into them --and I chose the size by his measurements, not his
> >age. What's up at McCalls? Giant toddler fit models?
>
> patterns that obviously were way too big for the measurements listed.
> Other McCall's childrens' patterns I've examined have clearly been graded
> incorrectly.
>
> their web page) and the Kwik-Sew Sewing for Babies/Toddlers/Children
> books.
>
> You can compare sizes by taking a kids' clothing mailorder catalog,
> figuring out what measurements they use for a 3T, and then selecting
> the pattern size that matches those measurements. Land's End says a
> 3T is a 36" tall child who is 22- 20 1/2-23. That child would wear a
> 3T in Kwik-Sew, a 36 months in Stretch and Sew, and a 92 cm in Burda.
> Kwik-Sew, Stretch and Sew, and Burda are all true to size in my
> experience.
>
> -- Anne Paulson
I have experienced the same problems. I have four children ranging in
ages 11 to 2 1/2. Burda patterns are the easiest and truer to the
size. I bought a jacket pattern for the baby and made it just a hair
smaller (maybe 5%) and it was perfect!
Foxhollow2
IMHO, The only patterns that actually fit kids are Kwik Sew patterns.
They have fit every time. All other pattens - Simplity, Butterick, etc.
never fit. Good luck. Laurie
Clare Bates Congdon
Monica & Bob Walker <walk...@erols.com> writes:
> I need some help choosing the correct pattern size for a child. My
> make a few outfits for him so his new parents don't have to buy
> everything at once.
> and a 4T to "grow into" in ready-to-wear sizes. But, how do childrens
> pattern sizes compare to childrens RTW sizes? I wouldn't buy a misses
> sizes also skewed?
> (2T-3T-4T) and the childrens (3-4-5...) sizes shown in the pattern books.
> I see that the toddlers and the childrens 3/3T and 4/4T offered by a
> given pattern company are *very* close to the same measurements. What is
> the rationale for choosing between the "T"-sizes and the others?
> would be appreciated.
>
As the mom of a large 2yo boy, here's my advice.
1. Make Kwik-Sew or Burda patterns, as others have suggested.
2. I suspect that 3T and 4T in RTW are too small for this child. I buy
Benjamin 5T's in (low-end) RTW. But I think it's the likely right size to
sew in KwikSew/Burda patterns.
3. The main difference between a 3T and a 4T is the length. so, for example,
if you make pants that can roll up at the cuffs or have elastic at the
ankles, you'll have a nice buffer. (I made Benjamin a bunch of pants a
YEAR ago that he's still wearing, which astounds me.) Shirts are a little
trickier to be flexible with. I bought B a bunch of turtlenecks last year
that were oversized, but still looked okay; this year, they still fit, but
are a little small.
4. You might want to try to find out how slim or chunky the child is before
you do too much sewing. Benjamin, for example, is built like a linebacker,
with broad shoulders and a big belly. It wouldn't surprise me if your
friends' new son were very slender for his height. If this is true,
they'll have a hard time buying clothes that fit well, and your sewing
will be all the more appreciated. For example, you might want to make 3Ts
after all, but add some length to them.
5. Consider getting a basic pattern for whatever you're making, and chugging
out a bunch of them in different fabrics. With KwikSew and Burda patterns,
you trace them onto your own paper before you start. So there's some
overhead for making the first pair that you don't have for the second pair.
You can whip out a pair of toddler pants really quickly, maybe even from
scraps you have from previous projects.
Oh, and as others have pointed out, the 'T' stands for "toddler", and means
"diaper room". You might want to find out about that, too, before you do too
much sewing.
Best of luck.
Clare
ccon...@polar.bowdoin.edu
cathie...@gmail.com
ItsJoanNotJoann
>
> Yes I would also.like an answer to that question........ Just wondered if we are not supposed to preshronk our fabric....and that would help size be closer....always too big!! Cathier...@yahoh.com
>
>
If you are using 100% cotton fabric to construct clothes, I
would definitely prewash in HOT water and dry on the highest
heat setting.
BEI Design
<cathie...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:bbe40597-40e7-4ea7...@googlegroups.com...
> Just wondered if we are not supposed to preshronk our
> fabric....and that would help size be closer....always too big!!
> Cathier...@yahoh.com
laundered (washer and dryer).
Are you using the right size pattern?
https://butterick.mccall.com/size-charts/childrens
You MUST measure the child, do NOT go by ready-to-wear sizing.
Patterns also include ease. This chart shows ease for adults, but
you get the general idea:
https://butterick.mccall.com/size-fit-charts/ease-chart