What to sew for your children’s summer wardrobe?
With the return of fine weather, we’re suddenly in the mood for summer sewing. Gone are the woolens and other fluffy fabrics, and out come the cottons, linens and English embroideries.
Here are some ideas for preparing your little ones’ wardrobe with lightweight dresses, shorts and tops!
Shorts for hikes
Shorts are an essential part of any wardrobe, and can be sewn in a variety of fabrics and in multiple copies. They’re an all-terrain garment that kids can wear all summer long, and in which they’re just as comfortable for days at home as for outings.
Children’s shorts patterns are often elasticated at the waist, so there’s no need for complex finishing. Many models are therefore accessible to beginners and quick to make.
It’s also a versatile garment that can be sewn in a wide variety of fabrics: sturdy cotton, linen, viscose for a fluid effect, light denim, double cotton gauze for maximum comfort…
Our Figuette shorts are ideal for sewing lightweight summer shorts for girls and boys alike. Don’t hesitate to add a little ruffle on the hem for an even more fashionable result this summer!
Trendy Bermuda shorts
Bermuda shorts are one of the trendiest pieces of 2024. There’s no reason not to sew them for the kids, especially as they’re so comfortable!
Once again, they can be sewn in denim, cotton, linen… depending on the desired result.
Our Bermuda shorts pattern is elasticated at the waist and features two pockets that can be sewn in a contrasting fabric for a touch of originality.
A country dress
This year, for children and adults alike, smocked dresses will be very much in vogue. If you’ve never sewn one, smocks are gathers at the top of the dress that are sewn onto the right side of the fabric. Don’t panic, these finishes are much simpler to make than they look!
To sew a smocked dress, choose a pretty cotton, preferably a floral fabric (e.g. Liberty) that will enhance its country feel.
You can choose Les Patronnes’ Porquerolles pattern, which also allows you to sew the tank top version, and includes a video explaining the gathers to guide you through this step.
A tank top or top for summer days
If summer is as hot as in recent years, we’ll need to stock up on tank tops and other lightweight tops!
To sew a sleeveless top, you can choose to make a version in lightweight jersey, which will have the suppleness and casual feel of a t-shirt. Be careful to choose a jersey with enough stretch to make it as comfortable as possible.
To sew a tank top very quickly, follow Atelier Adriette’s pattern, available in sizes 6 to 12.
You may also prefer a version in cotton, viscose or other lightweight linen. Again, depending on the fabric chosen, the top will be more or less supple and wispy. For a top that’s quick to sew and accessible to beginners, opt for our Mimolette, a loose-fitting model ideally suited to hot summer days.
A comfortable skirt
Just like bows, ruffles are on trend this year. We’re adding them to the bottom of shorts, on the sleeves of tops… and on skirts! For summer, don’t hesitate to sew a short or long skirt with pretty ruffles for the kids.
For a very supple effect with a beautiful fall, you can sew this skirt with a printed viscose, but also choose a more natural, breathable fiber: cotton, linen…
Atelier Adriette’s pattern allows you to sew several versions of the skirt, depending on what your child prefers, or what seems most practical to you: a short skirt, a long skirt, with one or more ruffles…
To add a little color to this project, you can sew the ruffle(s) in matching colors, make a color gradient or cut the ruffle in another material (e.g. cotton in broderie anglaise).
What are your summer sewing plans? What are your favorite fabrics and colors for summer projects?
