Sadie got a new outfit this weekend-of the preppy/beach fun variety. I am getting so sick of seeing her low-rider pants fall down. (Why are girls clothes cut so inappropriately?) She is a bit tall, so wears a 5 now and they all seem to be low riders with boot cuts and I think they are creepy and way to "mature" looking. Also, they are not that fun to play in, she's always hitching them up. So rather than buy another pair of boys pants, I finally pulled my head out and sewed some linen pants for her and a matching top to boot. I had always made her pants until about a year ago, not sure why I stopped. . she did have quite a bit of snap and zipper pride with the store-bought pants her relatives got her, but now it's all about comfort. She asked that these be "loose and comfy" and wanted cropped pants with pockets, thank you very much. She also insisted on keeping her socks on for this photo.
I used Simplicity 4206. I have about a zillion toddler patterns like this, but I loved the top (although I need to make it longer next time) and when I get to sewing bigger sizes, altering toddler patterns doesn't really cut it. So, this pattern rocks. Every single option I would make--super easy and fast. I got more linen for the second pair of pants and am waiting for the perfect fabric for the top/pockets (and yes the pockets have to match per Sadie) and I suspect it will come from superbuzzy. I saw a bit of what they just got in that wasn't unpacked yet, and wow. I am really gonna have to to watch my wallet here. I have no idea when the next update is, but it's gonna hurt. Just a warning. Especially for you mamas of little boys.
So, on the money front, the yardage for 2 pairs of linen pants and one top, notions, etc came to about $20. (there was a good sale happening) I got about 1/2 yards extra of linen too in that amount, just to have on hand. So, would Old Navy have been cheaper? Perhaps, on sale, yes. But I love linen and cotton, love the real kid cut of these pieces, and I always maintain that you can't really sew "cheap" clothes and save $$, because it's too hard to compete with the overseas labor, BUT you can save a ton if you are making quality clothes and comparing them to expensive kids clothes. . (I think this goes for adult clothes too) which is why I always stick with the nice fabrics. Plus they feel so much better. This is where I justify making her next top from awesome Japanese fabric. . .
