Replies

1. 
   Crazy K | Jul 17, 2007 04:04am | #1

   I love Kwik Sew.  No, they aren't particularly 'trendy' for kids but you can take a basic pattern and do whatever you want to perk it up.  The patterns are simple, straightforward and go together in a hurry.  You can embellish or change to make the style you want.  Some of my grandkids favorite duds were the ones I made for them.  Example:  I one took a basic t-shirt pattern and made it a t-neck with a yoke, gathered bodice and made the sleeves a bit more full, gathered in at the wrist with ribbing.  On the same top I used my serger and made a lettuce edge on ribbing and inserted it in between the yoke and bodice.  My little granddaughter was about 4 at that time and she twirled and swirled in her little top.  I made coordinating solid color pants and she thought she was the belle of the ball!  Sorry I didn't take a photo.

   I guess the moral of this story is: Use your imagine and the sky is the limit!!

   K

2. 
   solosmocker | Jul 17, 2007 05:54am | #2

   Children's clothing is really quite basic, with not much new other than the length of hems. You can be trendy with the trims and fabrics you buy. I think it might be Simplicity but there are children's designs by Patty Reed that are quite cute, but again you will find the same basic shapes but will see them shown with some great trendier fabrics.

   You might also want to try some of the heirloom purveyors. Not all of their clothing is smocking and lace. These garments tend to be VERY traditional but most of these vendors have galleries where you can look at their designs made up and get ideas. Try a google search for KariMeAway Designs by Kari Mecca, Farmhouse Fabrics, Childrens Corner. There are many more but those will get you started. I have friends who get magazines devoted to childrens clothing like Ottobre, or Australian Smocking and Embroidery, and they sit down with the children and let them pick out the outfit for grandma or mommy to make. It's a great way to introduce sewing to a little one.

3. 
   proegge | Jul 17, 2007 05:31pm | #3

   I would suggest looking at Burda patterns.  They often seem much more stylish and 'up-to-date' to me.  The website is http://www.burdamode.com .

   Hope that helps!
   Paula

4. 
   user-51823 | Jul 21, 2007 09:13am | #4

   i agree with others that young kids' clothes are very basic, with just a few variations on a theme. style is all in buying a good fabric in color combos of the new season that you see in posh stores. yardage marketed to kids in most fabric stores does look homemade and juvenile. switch aisles and look at nice gabardines, corduroys, etc. look for easy -care fabrics in solids or classic patterns and prints.