When you reach a certain age, hand-sewn clothes become a way to display your style and guarantee your clothes are 100% unique. When you’re a kid, though, home-sewn clothes are anything but cool. In fact, children of parents who make their clothes at home for them often feel outright embarrassed by those wild and wonderful creations.
The trouble is that, as any parent can tell you, kids clothes are of the most expensive purchases you could face, and they don’t even last. As such, home-sewn options can fast become a more appealing option. For a fraction of the price, taking things into your own hands could see your child getting new outfits every week. Once you’re experienced, you may even find that you can sew a child’s top in as little as an hour.
But, you aren’t out to embarrass your kids. You may even remember the mortification you felt when your mom made you something new to wear. Luckily, we’re in an age where homemade can be more chic than fashion casualty, even where children are concerned. All you need to do is remember the following during the making process.
Never cut corners
Cutting corners on creations is a sure way to embarrassment central. No child wants a top which unravels on the walk into school. Nor do you want to risk material so thin that your child’s entire class can see their undergarments. Instead, take the long way around. Spend extra on backing fabric, and invest in the best sewing thread for quality. Be sure, too, that you’re as thorough as you can be during the sewing itself. Finish seams properly and take your time on tricky parts to make each item as good as it would be if it came from a factory.
Take regular measurements
Often, home-sewn clothes are embarrassing because the fit isn’t right. Kids can be cruel, remember, and ankle-swinger trousers are sure to turn your child into a laughing stock. Make sure you avoid that mistake and others like it by keeping on top with sizing at least once a month. Be careful, as well, not to take too long on each creation. That way, you can make clothes which fit even the fastest-growing child.
Get them involved in the making
Clothes made by your mom might not be cool, but clothes made by you most definitely are. As such, the last step to avoiding embarrassment is to get your kids involved in the making. Obviously, you’ll need to do the actual sewing and fastening, but that doesn’t mean they can’t have some say. Letting your little one pick the fabrics they like, for instance, can go a long way towards getting them on board. Even something as simple as showing them how to sew on those buttons could make all the difference.
As simple as that, your efforts could create beaming pride instead of flushed cheeks. You certainly wouldn’t have to fight with your children to get dressed every day any longer!