Sewing Clothes As Gifts

Sewing clothes as gifts for other people is very popular, especially during the holidays.  We’re seeing more and more pictures of families in matching pajamas, lounge wear and other casual garments across all social media platforms.

Sewing clothes as gifts can be very economical, but more importantly, it adds that special touch people often feel when they receive something homemade.  It tells the receiver that you really care about them by making something specifically for them.  Nothing says you care more than when you spend your time making something for them.  Additionally, the gift you make stays around longer as people tend to treasure them for years.

Sewing clothes as gifts also comes with a challenge if you want the gift to be a surprise.  Depending on who you are sewing for, adult or child may be a bit difficult.  The challenge that you may experience when sewing clothes for people is their size. You also want the garment you are making for the person to fit as much as possible.

Most children are usually straight like rulers and fall in the small, medium or large size categories, making it easier to guess a size for them.  But teens and adults have matured with busts and hips that can be deceiving just by looking at them, so it’s more difficult to size them up.  Unless you have sewn for them before, you may not know what size will fit them appropriately.

One way to conquer the challenge is by sewing oversized fashion garments such as loose fitting PJ’s and loungewear, jogging pants, sweatshirts, capes or shrugs, bomber jackets, etc.

The patterns used for these young guys are Simplicity 8519 (PJ’s) and Butterick 5572 (Top).  The white velour fabric was from FabricMartFabrics.com and the grey, black & white flannel was purchased at the local Hobby Lobby.

Another way to conquer the challenge of sewing clothes as gifts when you’re unsure of their size is to wrap the fabric and pattern, then sew it after you’ve taken their measurements.  The surprise is still there and the expectation of receiving another gift after the holiday is even more exciting.

Whichever way you choose to present your gift, finished or not, sewing clothes as gifts is one of the most rewarding things you can give.

The image shows how the pattern used for this onesie is Simplicity 8520; grey, black & white stripe knit fabric purchased from FabricMartFabrics.com

As you can see, there are many patterns to choose from, and one way to keep the cost down is to purchase them during pattern sales.  Check out local retailers like Hobby Lobby and Joann’s as well as the online pattern manufacturers.  And, don’t forget the independent pattern makers that offer accessible downloadable PDF patterns on the market now.

Take a look at some examples below from pattern companies: