Replies

1. 
   ShannonG4d | Mar 21, 2002 03:16pm | #1

   Is the dgd nearby?  If so, here is a simple method to determine ease; wrap the tape measure around her hips and have her sit down in a chair.  Loosen the tape until it just fits around the hips and mark the measurement.  That should be correct for the minimum ease necessary (works for adults, too:))

   Shannon

2. 
   sarahkayla | Mar 21, 2002 03:19pm | #2

   Dear Jean -

   My youngest son is also tiny. I have made him several pairs of elastic waist pants by simply copying pants that fit but are too short. I fold the pants into quartersand then just cut around them allowing some for seam allowances and a couple of inches for the waistband and some on the bottom for growth. If I'm feeling fancy i will cut once for the front, and once for the back, otherwise i will cut them the same front & back. (four layers of fabric) I often do patch pockets along the side seams before i close up the legs. My kids can never tell the difference between the front & the back of a pair of pants anyway ( I can't tell you how often jeans with flys have ended up backwards on my little guy). My little one is now six and he is wearing pants that I originally copied from a pair he inherited when he was less than a year old. They had a great shape for his body. I can make up the pants in a bit over half an hour. If I'm feeling really fancy i will make contrasting cuffs or an inseam pocket. He loves the big deep patch pockets. i usually make the pants in wild color combinations - jelly bean fabric with a b&w optical print, frog print with leaf print pockets. For little girls of a certain age, say two to eight, there isn't enough lace or flashy fabric in the world to satisfy their needs. I have discovered that if you satisfy their truly awful taste when they are young, they come around and drss with impeccable good taste by the time they hit ten or twelve. (my thirteen year old just requested a basic black dress with simple lines for fancy events - she looks like audrey hepburn in it. She used to dress like cyndi lauper as a four year old)

3. 
   LizMaynard | Mar 21, 2002 04:11pm | #3

   In sewing for my little granddaughters 3" ease (just like adults) works well for tops and bottoms.  I've found patterns are ALWAYS too wide and have to be taken up with the exception of little dresses that fit in shoulders only are correct for the size but have to be lengthened a lot 'cause moms want the really long look.

1. 
   Jean | Mar 21, 2002 04:25pm | #4

   Thanks to all for your speedy replies.  I'm off to the fabric store now.The little munchkin is not available nor do I have a garment to measure,but her Mom sent me her measurements which I trust are accurate.  I have a good idea as to style, (band in front with a pleat, elastic back, with side pockets.)  I should be able to do this.She is built like a stick...everything is 21 inches.  LOL.  She has been going to a gymnastics class and if anyone has the build to be good at it, she does.  We'll see.  :)

1. 
   JudyWilliment | Mar 23, 2002 01:13pm | #5

   As a Mum to a very slender child, I can SO relate to this one!  I found a Kwik Sew jeans pattern when he was pretty small, and made all his jeans from it till he decided he liked baggy trousers instead.  It's patt no 2216 for sizes 1-4, No 2146 for sizes 4 - 7, and No 2147 for sizes 8 - 14.  I've used these over and over in all sorts of different fabrics for summer and winter, jeans and shorts.  They are easy to make, and fit beautifully.  It would be easy enough to delete some of the details if you want a simpler style, but retain the great shape.

1. 
   Jean | Mar 23, 2002 04:15pm | #6

   Thanks, Judy.  I'll look for that pattern.