All the FREE Children top patterns (unisex) my kids have tried and loved

I wrote this blog post in 2020 as a blog post for boy mums looking for boy patterns. But kids are kids and these top patterns could easily be made for little boys and little girls. So I'm changing it to just a list of children top patterns! 

And as part of this change, I am also splitting this post into 2 - one for free patterns that I have tried and loved and one for paid patterns WORTH buying. 

Excited? Read on! 

Reagan Raglan by Bella Sunshine Design

I've made so so many Reagan Raglans. It's a staple in my boy's wardrobe because it fits my slim boy very nicely (I do blend for this pattern, as i do for most patterns for this slim boy. if u have a slim kid like me, u may be interested in this pattern company that doesn't require blending for slim kids). I loved the cuffed sleeves, and the scoop neck is lovely. I also enjoy color blocking all his Reagan Raglans. A really great free pattern. 

It comes with different lengths so if u prefer a dress length version u can! 

How to get it: Subscribe to their free newsletter. (There's also the adult version for a matchy matchy top)

Additional info:

Fit: Slim fit
Sleeve options: Short & Long Raglan sleeves
Neckline: Scooped & V-neck
Sizes: 6 month to 12 years

Fabric requirement: 4-way or 2-way stretch knit fabric with at least a 50% stretch but no more than 75% stretch
Suggested fabrics: lightweight jerseys with good recovery

Format:  Layered A4/letter Trim and Trimless; projector file (new) . A0 available.

Kids Chill out tee by Rad Patterns

This is a great beginner pattern and the size chart is AMAZING. There's 3 different size charts for this pattern. the one for the newborns to toddlers - when u make a tee according to those measurements, u get a lovely relaxed fit - not oversized for safety. Then the older kids get looser fit to be similar to the adult free chill out tee (as seen in the photo above) And if ur kid is plus sized, there's the plus size chart so hopefully less blending is required for our bigger bundles of joy!! 

It goes up to 18+ then there's the adult chill out tee which continues to cover more sizes and is also free! It's a colorblocked tee so u can use up all the remnants at home too. So really good! You can get the code to get this one for free when you join their fb group - remember to use the code BEFORE you buy it!

Additional info:

Fit: Oversized, color blocked
Sleeve options: Short & elbow set-in sleeves
Neckline: Crew neck or v neck
Sizes: newborn-18mos, 2-18, and plus sizes 2+-18+

Fabric requirement: fabrics with at least 20% stretch across the grain
Suggested fabrics: Knit fabrics

Format: Layered ; projector file, A0.

Rowan Tee by Misusu Patterns

This is truly a lovely dolman pattern that is extremely quick to come together. And it is probably a great beginner pattern as well. It has a slightly oversized fit, with short or long dolman style sleeves. For a free pattern, it comes with several style options including a patch pocket, 2 necklines, an optional inside neck binding and 2 side seam finishes - which is truly lovely. I go to this pattern when i want a fast and furious top made. 

Additional info:

Fit: Slightly oversized, possible color blocking of sleeves
Sleeve options: short or long dolman
Neckline: Crew neck or scoop neck (scoop isn't very deep - my girl is wearing the lower neckline in the photo above)
Sizes: 62 - 164 | 0-3M - 13-14Y

Fabric requirement: Light to medium jersey knits with at least 25% stretch (lycra or elastane).
For neckband: Rib knit fabric or jersey lycra
Format: Tiled print at home pattern in layers (A4 & letter) - 21 pages, A0/Copyshop pattern in layers - 1 page, A0 projector file in layers

Ester & Ebbe top by Threads by Caroline

I made a matching set for my boy and girl with this pattern and they turned out really cute but I forgot to take better photos of them.. (oops!)

Edit: they added projector files! I made another top and added the photo here. They are one of the few free patterns that actually have projector files - a huge plus in my books. This is free with subscription to their newsletter. 

One thing to note about the sleeves - it is on the shorter side. Which meant that if u prefer longer sleeves then u may want to consider something different or alter it to be longer. It's also more slim fit if that is your preference! 

Additional Info:

Fit: Regular fit
Sleeve options: short or long set in sleeves
Neckline: Scoop neck
Sizes: 74-146 (approx. 6-9 months to 11 years)

Fabric requirement:  fabrics with at least 30% stretch 

Suggested fabrics: Knit fabrics such as jersey (cotton/lycra)

Format: Layered Trim; projector file (new), A1 

The following patterns are patterns I used a lot, back before I bought myself a projector for sewing. They do not have projector files nor do they have A0 files. As such, I have not used them in a while. (Projector sewing is so fast, I don't ever want to deal with paper again!) 

But I have tried them and they worked well so they are still listed here. If one day they get updated with projector file, I will be happy to use them again! 

Fried Pickle Tee by Meyraki Patterns

 

This is another staple pattern for us. I like using this to upcycle old shirts too (The yellow shirt is upcycled from his father's old t-shirt!) The Fried Pickle Tee is a loose fitting t-shirt which is really comfortable for everyday wear. The only caveat I have is that it doesn't have projector file or A0 file so there are paperwork to be done if you wish to use it - to be honest, I haven't used this since I started using projector for sewing. 

Still, if you are not using projector, then it's a very good beginner pattern and free with code from their facebook group. 

Fit: Loose fit
Sleeve options: Short & Long set-in sleeves
Neckline: Crew neck
Sizes: 2 years to 12 years

Fabric requirement: 30% stretch for the bodice and sleeves and 40-60% stretch for the bands.
Suggested fabrics: Most jersey, interlock, poly, cotton or rayon blends with Lycra

Format: Layered Trim; no projector file, no A0.

Safari Tank by Meyraki Patterns

This one's not really a t-shirt, but I am including it in the list because 1) it's perfect for Singapore's hot and humid weather and 2) It actually goes to 18 year old sizes which is lovely for a free pattern. I use this pattern mostly for PJs though I can see it working very well for tanks to do outdoor activities. 

Again, the issue is that there is no projector file and no AO. So I have not made this in a while now. That said, if you are printing it out, then why not give this one a go? 

Fit: Slim or Regular fit
Sleeve options: tank i.e. no sleeves
Neckline: Tank scoop neck
Sizes: 2 years to 18 years

Others: Regular, Banded, or Ruffle Hem
Fabric requirement: 30% stretch for the bodice and sleeves and 40-60% stretch for the bands. 

Suggested fabrics: Most jersey, interlock, poly, cotton or rayon blends with Lycra

Format: Layered Trim; no projector file, no A0.

Links here may be affiliate links - if you use them to make ur purchases, I may get a small aff from your purchase but it doesn't cost you anything extra. 

Pattern Showcase: Winter Wear Design's Tourist Tie Dress

Sometimes we need a little special detail in our dresses for them to look interesting and fun. And a really fun detail I liked in some of my retail wear tops/dresses is a side tie - in fact, I own quite a few RTW that has a side tie feature just cos it's so cute and on trend. 

Some time back, I managed to test Winter Wear Design's Tourist Tie Top, Tunic and Dress and it's just PERFECT for recreating the kind of look i love! 

There are several sewing patterns out there already that sports a similar look. But what stands out for Winter Wear Design's version is the fact that hers can be made using both knits AND wovens. Yes! Knits and Wovens all in 1 pattern. 

I made 3 versions to showcase how the pattern will look in 3 different fabrics:

This pink tie top is in a tencel blend, woven. Zero stretch. Made according to instructions in my size. If you use a fabric with less drape, it may not look as good so one thing to note is to always check the drape of your fabric, and for this top, you may wish to use fabric with better drape e.g. rayon, rayon blends. 

This purple top is made using a 4 way stretch modal fabric. It's very light and drapey and it is really comfortable to wear. I made it as per instructions for knit fabric - you sized down 1 size in width. 

My last version is a dress made with 2 way stretch tencel blend fabric. Now, if you are intending to make a dress, you might like to know that this pattern can be a fabric hog. Thankfully, there is a way around that and the pattern has instructions on how to cut the tie portion out separately and hide the joint within the tie so that is definitely an option that you can consider if you wish to save fabric. 

Hope my post has given you some ideas of what kind of top/dress you may wish to do with the pattern. Again, here's the aff link for those interested: Tourist Tie Top, Tunic and Dress

Hacking the Goober Pea Design Sunshine Coast Hat~

 

Most bucket hats are just 1 circle on top, 1 rectangle for the sides and the brim.... But the Goober Pea Design's Sunshine Coast Hat is made from 6 panels and a brim and that was what gave me the immediate idea to hack this into the perfect mesh paneled hat for my little girl. 

My little one is very very active and whenever she is out and about, she sweats buckets. As much as we like her to wear a hat with a wide brim when outside, she often finds hats too hot. 

I looked through my fabric stash and knew that this mesh fabric (i bought it to make bags) matches the rainbow sparkly gold foil fabric perfectly so I embarked on my mesh hat journey. 

I took some photos of the steps so I thought I will share it in case anyone wants to try my hack!

First, you need the Sunshine coast hat pattern. You can buy it here if u don't have it yet, (aff link)

The mesh paneled hat hack will be a fully lined hat with an elastic rim (I used FOE for the rim on the inside. 

This is the inside:

You will need 8 pieces of fabric panel (4 outer, ,4 lining if the fabric will be different on the inside and outside) and 2 pieces of mesh fabric panels. 

I used the woven pattern pieces for this as my mesh and fabric are both non-stretch but you can also use the knit pattern pieces if you wish to do the stretch version. 

I also used the height of the casing piece as a guide to cut out 4 rectangular pieces just slightly longer in width to the bottom of the fabric panels for use with my mesh:

I position 2 such pieces right side facing about 3/4 inch above the bottom seam then i sew it together line 1/4 inch from the bottom of the 2 rectangular pieces.

I fold the pieces down and iron (be careful not to use too hot an iron in case the mesh melts!) Then I edge-stitch 1/8 inch to keep the 2 pieces together. This allows me to have a nice finish for the hat later on. 

I trim off the width of the rectangular pieces to match the width of the mesh panel and set the panels aside.

Now I follow the instructions for the unlined version and sew the 6 of the panels up in this order: 2 woven 1 mesh, 2 woven 1 mesh. 

Here's how it looks on the last step when i put the hat together

Now this is the part that I actually didn't take photos of but i should have - how to line the hat so that the side seams of the panels are hidden. I did attempt a video but I'm not sure how clear it was. 

But here are the steps in words:

1) We now have 4 more fabric panels left unsewn. Proceed to sew 2 panels together on just one side then repeat for the other 2 panels so that u get 2 sets of 2 side by side fabric panels (I'm just gg to call this "lining panel" and it will refer to the 2 panels sewn together on 1 side). The original 6 pieces (woven woven mesh woven woven mesh) that was sewn together will now be called "unlined hat"

2) Cut into the seam allowance at the top of the unlined hat  it doesn't get caught when u are sewing. 

3) Put the unlined hat wrong side down such that only 2 woven panels are at the bottom, then scrunch up the remaining panels on top, then place the lining panel right side down on top of everything. You essentially get a "sandwich" whereby the rest of the hat is inside a sandwich of the lining panel and 2 woven panels of the unlined hat. Sew around the top of the 2 woven panels. 

4) Turn right side out and u would get a lined section! 

5) Repeat for other side!

If done correctly, all the seam allowances at the 2 sides of the mesh panels will be hidden in between the outer and inner fabric panels like this:

Then we are left with the last and relatively easy part. You follow the instructions for the unlined hat on how to attach the brim to the hat. Then for the exposed seams, I used slightly stretched FOE to enclosed them (This also helps create a better seal so that the hat doesn't fly off when my girl wears it on windy days. (You can also follow the instructions to do a knit casing or drawstring casing etc etc.) Adrienne's instructions are 100% better than mine any day! haha. 

And that's it! I'm really sorry I don't have better photos/videos of the last, rather crucial part. Perhaps when i get the time, I will make another for my boy and take better photos to update this! Meanwhile, I'm happy to help you out when u get stuck!

Hope the post helped!! Let me know if you try the hack I would love to see your version! 💓 

Hacking the S.U.A.T Shirtzie Dress

I got to admit, when I first saw Shirtzie by S.U.A.T (Stitch upon a time) I hesitated. Mainly because I seldom wear such low cut dresses (I'm pretty flat chested lol #sayitlikeitis) and the cross front bodice looked really low on some testers! 

However, there was the option of the scoop neck which looks lovely. And what sold this pattern was the fact that there are instructions to guide you on adding bra Cup pockets to the bodice! (That means you can go braless!) Talk about a summer staple! 

You can see that I embraced the cross front bodice here and tried it anyway. I love this! It's modest enough for me that I can see myself going to dinners wearing this (maybe not work cos I teach teenagers and you know how they are!) and the most important thing is this cross front doesn't reveal too much when I bend over =p Yes. It's very important for me not to have any wardrobe malfunction =p

So where's the hack I hear you ask? 

Well... I actually made this dress with 2 fronts instead of 1! 

Tadah! This is the SAME DRESS, worn the other way around! Now I have a scoop neck dress! 

Don't you love it when you can wear a dress in more ways than one? 

I love how the scoop neck is much more modest in front and I can definitely wear this side in front for work while keeping the cross front for date nights. 

But ready to see the backs?

This is the cross front on the back. It fits very nicely and makes my back look really good! And for work, I just wear a light cardigan over it. Perfect! 

 Similarly, here's the beautiful scoop neck on the back!

Are you inspired to try a 2 fronts Shirtzie dress now? Let me know if you do! I would love to see your version! 

And yes, I must say this: THERE'S POCKETS! Pockets is a BIG reason why self-made dresses rock. 

Fabric info: Bodice in Milk Silk, Skirt in modal fabric. (from destash.)

Because every little girl NEEDS a full tulle dress =)

I hacked the recently released Sugar Ruche dress by Candy Castle Designs into a very full tulle dress and lived to tell the tale! 

If you are looking into making a georgeous tulle dress for a little one that is simple (at least as simple as tulle dresses can be =p ) then read on!

So this is the ruched version of the pattern in dress length. The outer fabric is very soft tulle and the inner fabric is slinky and soft rayon.

I'm going to tell you how I hacked the pattern to achieve this look! But first, you need to purchase the pattern here!

Now that you have the pattern, here's what you do:

You are going to need 1 front ruched piece in tulle (This version i made is using the exact dimensions provided. But seeing as it is tulle and therefore very light, my suggestion for an even prettier ruched look in the front bodice is to double or even triple the height of the bodice front)

You also need 2 front linings. Preferably in something really soft and thin. Rayon works great or thin cotton lawn wld be perfect (and easier to sew too) 

For the back, you are going to need 1 back bodice piece in tulle and 2 back bodice lining pieces.

I skipped the strap pieces, choosing to instead use 2 pieces of lace that is cut to the length indicated on the pattern cut chart.  

For the skirt piece, you will need skirt pieces in both tulle and lining (the number depends on the size you chose to make, for my girl who is a 12m/18m blend, she needs 2 pieces in tulle and 2 in rayon) You will also want to follow the height for the skirt pieces but use the entire WOF. For bigger sizes, I would make sure to at least double the width of the skirt pieces for the tulle. For ease of gathering, I also added additional seam allowance at the top of the tulle skirt so that i can gather further in from the edge of the tulle. This is optional if you are really good at gathering tulle!

You will follow the original instructions for the bodice exactly with 1 exception: sew the back bodice tulle piece to one of the back bodice lining piece together on all four sides with a seam allowance of 1/4 inch. Treat that as ur "back bodice main". 

Now that your bodice is done, let's talk about gathering tulle. (This is not as bad as you may think!) 

Candy Castle Designs has very clear instructions on how to gather ur skirts and there's not just 1 or 2 methods, but a total of 3! My preference was to use the dental floss/zigzag method that was described in her instructions. Here's a photo of how that looks like... 

What I liked about this method is the ease at which i can adjust the gathers without worrying about the thread breaking which frequently happens for the normal long stitches, high tension gathering method (especially when u have long long pieces to gather!) 

After gathering both tulle and rayon skirt pieces to the correct length, u can simply sew/serge them together at the top first, then attach the skirt to ur bodice. (go slow here, The skirt is BULKY!) 

You hem the rayon skirt lining but not the tulle so the tulle will be longer than the lining at the end. And that's it! 

A beautiful tulle dress perfect for the Ball. She's looking for her glass slippers here 😆

Now who wants to give this tulle dress a try? =)

More photos =)

Because it is going to be National Day soon...

Every year on August 9th, Singapore celebrates National Day. 

If you don't know this already, I'm a teacher so every year, on National Day, I would always dress in the Nation's colors (Red and White) to celebrate our Nation's birthday with my students. 

But actually... Red isn't my color. Not really. I find that I tend not to wear red anything, but I mean, it's National day!

So this year, I'm really quite excited to be making my own red and white outfit. At least it's going to look nice and conform to my aesthetics 😆

I'm also incredibly lucky to be given to opportunity to be a guest sewist for Sew PDF Showcase. This is a really cool source of pdf patterns by small independent pdf companies. They showcase a pdf pattern every week and this week's PDF showcase is by Buttons and Bib! (this new pattern company is very promising! You should go check out their stuff - many of the dress patterns are lovely!) 

I shall be using their Summer Staple Dress for my National Day dress - yay~

This is a knit bodice, woven skirt dress and it's my first time ever putting woven skirts on knit bodices! I used clear elastic to gather the woven skirt - so easy! and then serged the bodice and skirt together after. 

This whole dress was ensembled in record time too. The woven fabric i used for the skirt is crepe so there's a lovely texture that contrasted very nicely with the stretchy, very smooth poly-spandex knit with a slight sheen that I bought in "wine red" that i used for the bodice. 

At first i was slightly concerned that if i attach a woven skirt on a knit bodice the waist area might not stretch enough to go over my head. But my concerns were unfounded as the clear elastic gathering method really helps ensure that the waist area is still very nice and stretchy and the waist is still cinched in enough to not look baggy. 

And yes... did i mention pockets? Pockets always! These pockets are huge! Big enough for my galaxy note! 

One interesting thing to note about this dress is, unlike many knit dresses, the waist actually has positive ease. That means everything there is nice and relaxed, not tight and figure hugging. Just thought some of us may appreciate a pattern like that for days when we are feeling bloated or perhaps... for BUFFET days where we aim to eat alot and don't want our tummies to feel restricted 😆😆😆

If you would like a good deal on this pattern it is now ON SALE. Only at Sew PDF Showcase for 1 week! 

Pajamas for the little one!

I'm always on the lookout for comfortable pajamas for my little ones and there's always a need for comfy PJs in this house. 

I recently got to test for Sew a Little Seam's latest pattern Nightingale and can you tell this little one loved it?

The Nightingale set is designed for knit fabrics and there's a top, knee and maxi version. There's also shorts and pants to mix and match the PJ sets! 

The one above is the ruffle sleeves but there is also long, short, tulip, gathered and sleeveless tops. The bodice has a ruffle and gathered or colorblock option and there's even optional plackets and bottom ruffles. 

I think it would take me forever to finish making all the options! Don't you love it when there's so many options in one pattern tt u buy?

The pattern includes sizes 3 months to 12 years and plus sizes 4-12 years. You can choose to buy just 1 size or the bundle. 

Baby Camilla

It's been a long while since we can go out and explore our parks and play outside. To commemorate going out for some exercise, I made a summer dress for the little one.

 This is Camilla by Simple Life Pattern Co!

Don't you just love the straps and the scalloped back? I used a discontinued print by Laura Blythman that I bought from Spotlight. (Recognise it? I used this to make a backpack for the girl!)

The dress comes in top, vintage and dress length and has tiered skirts too. I made mine with a sweetheart neckline but there's also the classic scoop neckline.

Some people worry about sewing scallops cos if not done right, it just doesn't look as good. Here's what I have learnt: clip clip and clip ur seam allowance! Especially at the corners, really take ur time to clip the seam allowance down to make sure that it turns out right, using a chopstick to poke at the curves. Then iron it crisp so that it stays in that shape and top stitch!