inspiration: quick and easy patterns for kids clothes week

Yay, Kids Clothes Week starts today!  But oops, life got busy and you weren’t able to get any prep work done.  Rather than throw in the towel before the week even starts, I’m here today to give you a little boost with some patterns you can start and finish within just a couple hours!  I also love to use KCW to add basics to fill gaps in my kids’ wardrobes, so fast and simple is often the way to go for me.

For more about Kids Clothes Week, check out founder Meg Freeman’s post last week.

Oliver + S is known for our detailed and unique kids clothes designs, but we also offer great basics that have just a few pattern pieces and you can sew very quickly while still achieving a well-made garment.  That means you could theoretically buy, print, tape, cut, and sew one of these in a single naptime/nighttime sewing session!

 

 

I think a Field Trip Raglan Tee is the fastest shirt you can sew, since the sleeves aren’t curved (no easing!).  They can easily be shortened for warm days, or if you’re in the Southern Hemisphere, keep them long sleeved for winter.  Use upcycled t-shirts and preserve existing hems for an even speedier result. I’ve got these down to about a half hour apiece.  Our School Bus Tee pattern offers both long and short sleeve versions within the pattern, if you want to take all guesswork out of it and sew a basic tee (leaving time for fun kid art embellishment, maybe?).  The best thing about both tee patterns:  they’re unisex!

 

 

View A of our Roller Skate Dress (or view C, the tunic) has just three pattern pieces: front, back, and button loop!  It’s quick to sew even though it’s fully lined.   I’ve made a few of these dresses and they’re my daughter’s favorites to wear year round. They’re adorable with leggings in the fall.

 

 

Our Hopscotch Top + Dress is a bit more work than your average t-shirt, but has so much more style!  This is also a great pattern if your little gal is in need of nightgowns for hot summer evenings.

 

 

For baby, our Lullaby Layette pants are just two pattern pieces plus a waistband. Make in linen and shorten them for summer, or roll them up for a beachy look.

 

 

For big kids, our Playtime Leggings are a speedy way to add layering pieces, and with this tutorial by Liesl, you can easily turn them into playground shorts for summer.

The Swingset Skirt takes a bit more effort than your basic “sew a rectangle and add elastic” version, but it’s still a fast sew. And the sweet bow on the side will make this one she chooses to wear over and over.  It’s also a fun way to show off a fun print, and it takes less than a yard to make (up to size 5)!

Of course, don’t forget about our free patterns!  The Lazy Days Skirts, Sunny Day Shorts, Popover Sundresses, even Reversible Bucket Hats are excellent wardrobe builders and quick to sew during Kids Clothes Week.

Alright guys, one hour a day for a week and your kids will be set for the rest of the season. You can do it!

What’s your favorite “quick and easy” pattern?  Have you ever timed yourself while sewing?