Measure Twice CUT ONCE!!!

The last few weeks, as I've been cutting out patterns, sewing up outfits ,several of my customers have been telling me how frustrating it is when buying clothing to get something that fits kids ..especially pants.
Children's pants are not the only issue..it's the vast difference in sizes among the manufacturers..so..my honey and I took our trusty roll up tape measure and went to several stores to get the scoop on lengths..and the differences. This is what we found:

A. Measurement was the outside seam..you know the one that follows the outside of the pants not the length between the legs..we used the same tape measure and started at the top of the waistline to the hem of the pants. We measured cotton, denim or twill pants only.

size newborn 10 - 12 inches

size 3 months 11 - 12 inches

Size 3-6 months 11.5-12.5 inches

Size 6 months 13- 14 inches

size 6-12 months 14- 14.5 inches

size 9 months 13- 14.5 inches

size 12 months 15.5 - 16 inches

size 18 months 17 -18 inches

size 24 months 18 - 18.75 inches

size 2 T 17.5 - 19 .5 inches

size 3T 19 - 21 inches

size 4T 21 - 23 inches

size 5 25- 25.5 inches


We measured the favorite and popular brands.

What's the point in all this, there is no ONE MEASUREMENT..

.so when you order clothing from a seamstress..you just need to let her know your fav brand for the child or better yet, take a few moments to measure your child. It's quiet simple...measure their favorite and best fitting pants from the waist down to the hem on the outside.

OR...find your child's waist and measure from that point down to where you want the pants to be hemed. When creating pants, it is necessary for the sewer to add inches were the elastic will be sewn in and were the hem will be turned up. Sometimes, depending on the fabric and if it is formal wear or play clothes, there can be 3.5 extra inches added to the outside seam measurement. That's were the person sewing can determine the correct amount to add.

To help my customers and anyone wanting better fitting, longer lasting garments..Here are some standards for kids , which we now see is not really standard, just an idea of size measurements...and we all know kids are DIFFERENT. Click on the following to find out how
1, to take measurements or 2. what is the standard::
Ebay

UK

Taking Measurements

More complicated Measurements

How to take basic measurements:
eHow

Threads and included printable measure table

Burda

for pants
ehow

Now that you are utterly board with all the geometry of sewing do just one thing for me when you order something...please send me a few measurements... I use several different pattern companies as well as creating my own patterns. What do I need:
1. Your child's WEIGHT yep...it helps me determine the true size .

2. Your child's height in inches...gives me an idea of how close they are to the Industry standard...

3. Chest size...how big around they are

4. WAIST ...for the length of elastic or fitted waist for comfort.

5. Pant or Skirt Length---where do you want the garment to end..capri is not as long as long pants, short or long skirt...above the knee or below the knee...that kinda thing. Measure from the waist to were you want it to end.

Once you give me your info..you will be ready for the next CUSTOM Boutique order and the next and the next...it only takes a few moments to insure a WELL made and COMFORTABLE FITTING garment for your SWEET PEA.

I have been sewing all of my adult life..and the same is true in sewing for family as it is for sewing for friends or customers...if you give the wrong measurements or none at all, you will be disappointed.

One customer wanted an outfit and after repeated attempts to get one measurement..the length of the dress she desired..we had to create the standard...it ended up being too short.

Another customer wanted to have the clothes go over shirts but forgot to measure the chest with the shirt on...end results the clothing was too tight to go over shirts.

A beautiful garment, created for your child (not 1,000's of customers that get the ONE SIZE FITS MOST ) can be a joyful experience for everyone. We've made this happen over and over in our shop and if you talk with most seamstresses they will tell you the same thing...
the garment is only as good as the cut!

So...get out the tape measure or buy one and remember to send us these few little measurements we need to create a UNIQUE, Well FITTING garment...a OOAK for Your sweet little OOAK.