Did your daughter get a sewing machine for Christmas? Or maybe you’re teaching her (or yourself) to sew on the machine you’ve had stored away for years. Either way, you might need a starting point. You’re in luck! You don’t have to run to Joann’s and sift through drawers of paper patterns. These days, all kinds of PDF patterns that can be printed on your home printer and assembled with tape is the best way to get started. They include easy-to-follow instructions and color photos to guide you along the way.
My little one (age 7) has been asking to sew something for the longest, and we finally took the plunge over the holiday break. She has sewn items in the past, but this is the first apparel project she was able to make with very little help. I thought I’d share the info here in case you’re interested.
Layne’s Ruffle Shorts by CKC Kids can be made by a beginner sewist in just a couple of hours. It's winter time and we're hoping for cool weather, but little girls need shorts to wear under the dresses (plus, it's Texas)! My daughter wore her new shorts the very same day that she made them. These simple shorts have an elastic waistband and can be crafted with or without a ruffle hem. There are only two identical pattern pieces to cut, plus a piece of elastic. The pattern for these shorts is for sizes Newborn up to size 15/16 and also includes a doll pattern so your little one can make shorts for her American Girl doll or similar 18” doll.
When you visit the CKC Kids website, you can sift through hundreds of sewing patterns, and feel free to sort them by skill level. There are beginner patterns for boys also! Happy sewing!
