Monday 10 February 2014

Baby tartan

My first make for our wee one - I wanted to make him something special to wear to attend his first wedding.  As his dad was the best man I thought it would be lovely to make him something tartan to go with his dad's kilt.  I was kindly offered some scraps of the tartan wool used to make the groom and best man's kilts so I decided on turn-ups for a pair of trousers.  Rather than go out and buy some trousers to attach them to I used Made by Rae's free newborn trouser pattern.  I think this is really meant for woven fabrics but figured as long as I measure it against a pair of his own trousers I'd be fine making it out of jersey.  I did consider real turn-ups but I couldn't work out how to do them, and the tartan frayed something terrible!  Afterwards I was told that tartan is usually cut on the bias for kilt making for that very reason.  So what I did was cut a rectangle of tartan for each leg, sew it at the side seam then fold it in half and attach it the same way you would a neck or arm band on a jersey t-shirt - by putting the raw edges together stitching then pressing it out.  It looks like a turn-up as long as you don't look too closely and was very quick to do - which, given I was doing this the evening before the wedding, was essential!  I did a jersey waistband as well, attached in the same way.  They did turn out too long but at least you could still see the tartan.  At the last minute I decided to make him a matching bow-tie and he looked absolutely adorable! The bow-tie was just stitched on to a white t-shirt, don't worry I didn't make him wear anything uncomfortable!





I totally forgot to take any close-ups of him at the wedding as he was only actually there for a few hours (we were very lucky that his Grandma and Grandpa brought him along to the reception for a few hours then looked after him at the hotel so we could stay for the dinner and party!)  So I got him dressed up in it again and tried to take some photos.  You can see he thought I was pretty silly for doing so!



These were such a quick make and I really enjoyed it - I can't wait to make him more clothes!  Does anyone have any favourite patterns they would recommend? There seems to be far more patterns for cute dresses and skirts than for clothes suitable for a baby boy.  I was given the black jersey by a friend as it was left over from a project of hers and the tartan is offcuts from the kilt so although I didn't use anything from my stash at least I didn't add to it! I know I'm totally biased but I thought he was the best dressed guy there - asides from the groom and best man of course!

26 comments:

  1. What a brilliant outfit! I can imagine it was really good fun to make, especially the wee bow tie.

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    1. Thankyou! It was good fun to make, especially as it was so quick!

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  2. Oh my goodness, how gorgeous :)

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  3. Oh! So cute! I have never made clothes for small boy, so can't help you there! I always thought the effort was too great for something he'd just wear for a short time (and probably would stain and/or go through at then knee), so well done you for making the effort! And how great do you look? Amazing!!!

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    1. Thanks Helen! I haven't had a chance to make anything else yet - for me or him - but I'm looking forward to having another go!

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  4. He looks like such a happy baby! You three make a cute little family.

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  5. Aawww gorgeous! The Oliver and s patterns are great and I think Dana from made has a few boy patterns. Have you checked out the free stylo mag as some great boys stuff in there. I also hear ottobre mag is great.

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    1. Thanks Joanne! Ooh those shorts from Dana Made are so cute! I haven't actually checked out Stylo yet, so thanks for the reminder. I quite fancy that Ottobre magazine too, I'll need to try and pick up an issue somewhere.

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  6. Oh so sweet! I love wee little bow ties on wee little boys! It has been a long time since I made clothes for my boy...so I don't have and suggestions or you. Sorry. I'm sure there are some great patterns out there though.

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    1. Thanks Margo! He did look incredibly cute in his bow-tie!

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  7. That is so adorable! Look at that sweet smile! :) He's one stylish little guy.

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    1. Thanks Becca. I know I'm biased but he does have the best wee smile!

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  8. You have the cutest and smartest baby! And he is so lucky having a sewist for a mum!

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    1. Thanks Merche! I'm looking forward to using some of the lovely patterns in the book you gave me.

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  9. Hi Kathryn

    I came across your blog months ago when I was pregnant and looking for free patterns for maternity dresses. I decided to take some photos of what I was making and get in touch with you to say hello and to swap patterns. But time has flown by and now I'm busy dressing my 3 month old Bill in his various home sewn/home knitted outfits, including a mad tartan ensemble for Hogmanay. I'd love to send you a photo. Loved seeing your wee boy here and who knows, maybe we'll meet with the wee guys sometimes soon?! Kirsteen (ex The Changng Room Stirling) x

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    1. Hello Kirsteen! So nice to hear from you! Congratulations! Lisa mentioned that you were pregnant but I didn't know you'd had your baby. I love your choice of name too. I'd love to get in touch properly but the only email I have for you is an old Stirling one. My email is kmhairi [at] gmail [dot] com

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  10. Adorable! It's fun making things for them when they're little and adorable. I still like making things for my boys too, even though they're big and grown up, but it takes a lot more fabric than it used to!

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    1. yes your boys are really lucky, all the great shirts you make for them!

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  11. Gosh, that is the cutest little outfit! I am pretty sure you are right about him being most well dressed! I don´t do a lot of baby sewing, but I know that there are kids patterns in most of the older issues of Burda, both for boys and girls, maybe you could find something there?

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    1. Thanks Solvi! I've never actually seen a copy of Burda, I'll need to keep my eye out for old copies in charity shops.

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  12. OMG he is SO CUTE!!! And I love a good plaid!

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    1. Oh my goodness, I've only just seen this comment sorry! Thank you!!

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