How to Measure your Child

How to Measure your Child

So, you’re ordering your princess a little something special and the boutique artisan asks for her measurements for sizing. You start freaking out, but wait! Before you have a panic attack I am going to tell you exactly what you need to know to get that perfect fit for your princess. Please note all measurements are best taken after removing any bulky clothing. A t-shirt and underwear or leggings will probably work for this.

What you need:

Tape measure: skinny thing with all the numbers like a ruler that costs about $.99 at the fabric store.

Pen/Pencil

Paper

THE child: not any child, but the one that the clothing is being made for, trust me you will have much better results.

Common Measurements:

Chest: this is a BIG one and very important. All kids are made differently so you want to have the right measurements for this one. Here’s what you do:

1.       Take the measuring tape, Start from the end marked 1” and hold it in place level with her armpits, have her hold her arms up and measure around the chest or breastbone keeping that one end in place.

2.       Bring the other end until it meets/touches the one you held in place. Now, here is the important part: DO NOT LEAVE ANY SLACK! The tape should not squeeze your child, but having it droop or be loose creates “ease” and most patterns already have ease built in. Take it from me, you don’t need to add anymore ease than is already there.  There is “room to grow” and then there are just ill-fitting clothes.

3.       Write down the number where those two ends meet, try to be as close to the fraction as possible, when in doubt – add. Do not take away from the measurement. If you need to round make sure it’s to the next smallest increment that you can figure out NOT INCH! (I know, we all struggle with fractions. It’s a part of adulthood.)

The rest of the measurements are taken in a pretty much similar manner, the only things that change are the locations.

 

Waist:  Measure around the child’s abdomen, across the belly button works well.

Hips:  Measure around the butt and thighs.

Inseam: Measure from the top of the inside of her leg to where you like her pants to fall.

Waist to Knee: Measure from the waist to the middle of the knee

Neck to Knee: measure from the base of her neck to the middle of her knee

Head: Measure around her head just above her eyebrow.

Height: Have her stand flat footed against a wall looking straight ahead then measure from the bottom of her feet to the crown of her head.

As you can see, occasionally, you will end up with “extra” measurements. You can just toss those out. 

Now, you have your perfect measurements and can give them with confidence, but if you get confused at all you should always touch base with the artisan, he or she can provide a clear explanation of what they want, but at least you have the basics of how it’s done.

Thanks so much for reading,

Tara XOXO

Haute and Posh Designs

Tags: diy, tutorial, how to, measurements, kids’ clothes, boutique clothes, child measurements, child, toddler, kids, how to measure, measuring

Types of Clothing Fabrics

Welcome to this week's Tutorial Tuesday!  We've decided that we need to help inform our customers of all the wonderful details that may get confusing when shopping for handmade clothing and accessories.  So with that in mind, this weeks tutorial is all about the different types of fabrics that boutiques may use to make clothing.  To keep it as easy to understand as possible, I have made a list of the more popular fabrics and a small description of each. 

We will begin with the two most popular types of fabric you will find being used for making handmade clothing- woven cotton and knit. 

Cotton fabrics are very popular in the handmade clothing business because they come in a variety of colors, patterns, and are breathable and comfortable.  Sometimes the cottons used are not 100% and can sometimes be blended with synthetic fibers.  Blended cottons can have a little stretch to them that 100% cotton may not have. Some terms you may hear with woven cottons are Broadcloth, Kona, Sateen, and Designer.  These are just different types of cottons that boutiques may use to make clothing.  They are all a little different in their feel and quality, but the end results all give the same similar appearance. 

Now on to knits.  When you hear the word knit you're probably thinking yarn, sweaters, etc.  But in terms of fabric and sewing, knits are not exactly dealing with knitting needles.  Knit fabric is a term used for the stretchy materials we find used in t-shirts, leggings, yoga pants, etc.  Knits are nice because like woven cottons, they also come in a wide variety of colors and patterns.  Some terms you may hear used along with knits are ribbed, jersey, and cotton/lyrca.  These extra terms determine how much the knit fabric stretches, it's texture, or what it's made of. 

Dress made of woven cotton from My Little Lady and Gentleman

 

 

 Hooded shirt made of knit fabric from Nini and Ash

 

 

Some other fabrics used in boutique clothing are:

Denim, twill, and corduroy-  All of these are heavier fabrics used for many things such as pants and jackets.  

 

Chiffon, organza, tulle (sounds like tool)- These are lightweight, sheer fabrics used in dresses and tutu's.

 

Silk and satin are those shiny but soft fabrics often used in special occasion dresses.

 

Linen is known for its specific woven look.  People often like to wear linen in hot climates because of its cool feel.  

Chambray is a commonly used fabric for shirts, dresses, and children's clothing.  It can resemble a lightweight denim.  It is made by combining a colored yarn and an uncolored yarn.

 

Tutu made of tulle from Haute & Posh Designs

 

 

Pants made of khaki twill from Nini and Ash

 

 

Flannel, fleece, and minky- Soft fabrics used in lounge wear, pajamas,  and blankets.  Flannel is the thinnest of the three and is often used to make button down plaid shirts (think lumberjacks).  Fleece is warm, soft, and thick.  Minky is also a warm, soft, and thick fabric.  However, minky has a furry feel to it.  Minky can sometimes be found in different variations such as smooth, ribbed, or even raised dots. 

Vest made of flannel from My Little Lady and Gentleman

Dress made of satin from Nini and Ash

Hopefully this helps you understand some of the differences with the fabrics you see in our shops.  Next time you think about ordering a custom made item you'll feel a little more comfortable knowing what to expect when the boutique starts asking you if you want a chiffon overlay with the cotton sateen dress and a tulle under skirt. 

Come back next week for our blog about how to properly measure your child for custom clothing!

~Robin from My Little Lady and Gentleman

Tutorial Tuesday: how to make leggings/shorts out of outgrown knit dress

I have twin girls who are growing faster than I can keep up with. I have donated a lot to our local church, but there are clothes I just cannot bring myself to get rid off, especially if they are barely worn. If you happen to be afraid of knit fabrics (let's face it, most of the clothing in your home is probably made of knit), repurposing is a great way to experiment and test the waters without using any money.

To make leggings or shorts out of outgrown knit dresses, here is how:

I took a pair of leggings that still fits perfectly and traced it on a parchment paper (or you may use freezer paper). Fold the leggings to whatever length you choose. Make sure you smooth out the leggings in order to trace it correctly. Add about a 1/4 to 1/2 inch to the side seams to account for seam allowance and 1 to 1 1/2 inch on the waist for elastic casing.

Cut the paper and lay it on top of the dress. At this point, you need to figure out for yourself the best way to fit your pattern in order to use as much as the dress as you can. I found that I may not have enough of to make 4 leg pieces. I slid my pattern over in order to get rid of the side seam allowance and use the dress seam allowance instead. Great, huh? Less sewing! Note also, that if you are flexible about the length, you can shorten or lengthen your leggings in order to use the dress hem. Again, less sewing!

After you've laid out your pattern and pinned it, it's time to cut! After you cut one leg, turn your pattern paper over to cut the other leg.

You will end up with 2 pieces (the side seams are already done since you used the dress' seams).

The next step is to sew! When it comes to sewing pants, you may choose whatever method you want. There is more than one way.  

NOTE: Because this is knit, you need to use zigzag stitch on everything if you don't have a serger. 

Option 1: Turn your leg pieces right sides together and sew each of the inseam. Then turn one leg piece right side out, and insert it inside the the other leg piece, line up the inseams. Pin and sew the curve/crotch together. This is what I have done here. 

Option 2: Open up your 2 leg pieces, lay one on top of the other (right sides together) and pin. Sew the crotch (the top curve part) together stoping at the point. After you've sewn the crotch, you open it up and sew each leg inseam. 

Either option you chose, you will end up with pants (hopefully!)

The last step is to fold 1 inch (or to whatever elastic size you choose to use) over on the waist in order to create an elastic casing. I used a 3/4 inch non-roll elastic. Leave an inch opening to insert the elastic. Use a safety pin on each side of your elastic in order to help feed it in the casing. Once your elastic is in, overlap by about an inch and sew using a zigzag on each end. Sew your opening close.

ELASTIC: Measure your child's waist (snugly, not lose)  and then subtract somewhere between 2-4 inches and that's the amount you need. 

Guess what? Since you just used the seam and hem of the dress, you're all done!

You've just used knit (maybe for the first time) and you've up-cycled an old shirt. GO YOU!

*********************************************************************************

Thank you to Isabel of Stubborn Monkey's for this week's Tuesday Tutorial. Stop by and say hi and let her know Chic, Threads & Things sent you.

This is a modified version of the tutorial that is originally posted here by the same author.

Who's the WINNER???

The winners have been chosen!  How exciting!!!  Was it you???  Keep reading to find out!

The winner of our GIRLS prize package, which includes a custom-made Halloween Fairy Dress, matching Halloween Fairy Wings, a Halloween Hair Bow, and a personalized Trick or Treat Bag is.........

Janell O.

Our lucky BOYS prize package winner, who will get a custom-made Lightning Bolt Shirt, custom-made Pants, custom-made Superhero Cape and Mask, custom-made Superhero Arm Cuffs, and a personalized Trick or Treat Bag is........

Tammy N.

Please be watching your email for a message from us!!!  

Congrats to our winners and thank you everyone who helped to make this giveaway a success!!!

Friday Feature!

Friday Feature

MaeFlowers & JuneBugs

We love our boutique owners and would love for you to know them better!  Every Friday, we will showcase a different shop owner.  First up is Krista Lueders from MaeFlowers & JuneBugs.

Tell us about your business.  What led you to where you are today?  

I've always loved Renaissance Faires and fairies.  A few years ago, when I started taking my kids to the faires, I couldn't find any quality Renaissance clothing for them.  So I made my own.  The business idea formed from there, and over the years, it's morphed into fairy costumes and now just the fairy wings.  

The Original Fairy Wings

You have some pretty amazing and unique designs.  How you get inspiration for your creations?

I've always been obsessed with fantasy, especially fairies.  One of my favorite artists is Amy Brown, who has created some of the most amazing fae creatures I've ever seen.  I've been inspired by her artwork in the past, but I've also started creating my own fairies, as costumes for my daughter and I.  

Pixie and I at the Texas Renaissance Festival, 2012

Using only one word, what does sewing mean to you?

Escape.  When I'm working on a project, reality tends to not exist.  If I'm having a bad day, or I'm stressed, spending time with my sewing machine really helps.

A new take on the Original Wings, the Double Wings, available by custom order

How did you get into making fairy wings?

When I found some fairy wing embroidery designs, I knew I had to have them.  Once I had them, I wasn't satisfied, I had to do more than just embroider them onto a shirt or jacket.  I had a McCalls costume pattern for a fairy and in included fairy wings that used Velcro to attach to a bodice.  So, I just took the embroidery designs to the next level, sized them up as big as my machine would go and the fairy costumes were born!  But I got tons of requests for wings that could be worn without a full costume.  I realized that I did kind of limit myself by only having them available with a full costume.  That's when the stand-alone wings were created and since then, I've turned my focus to just those.  My daughter, known as Pixie, helps me sometimes pick out color combos and the Dragon wings were a product of my son feeling a little left out and wanting some wings of his own, "but not fairy wings, Mom!!!"  

Dragon Wings for Gamer

Where do you see your shop being in the next 5 years?

My ultimate goal is to have my own shop at the major Renaissance Faires in Texas, where I'm from.  I'm already on my way to seeing that come about, I will be a vendor at the first annual Texas Fairy and Fantasy Festival from October 11-13, 2013 in Cisco, TX.  Maybe in a year or two, I'll be able to start getting into some of the Renaissance Faires.  

Pixie in the Elven Court Wings, with matching wrist cuffs

Tutorial Tuesday: Rolled Fabric Flower Tutorial

To make a rolled fabric flower start off with a strip of fabric 2 inches wide by 18 inches long. You can make these in a variety of lengths and widths. For this tutorial I used 2 x 18 inches.

Fold your piece of fabric in half length wise on one end

And then fold again

Starting at the edge of the fabric roll a tight roll. I tend to put a small dab of hot glue at the edge before I start rolling just to give it a bit extra hold. 

Roll your fabric in a tight roll until it is the approximate width of your finger nail. Place a small dab of glue at the end of your roll to secure the center of your flower. 

Now you will start folding your flower. Don’t worry about getting each fold perfect you can go wrong with it. Remember to place a small dab of glue every so often so that your flower doesn’t unroll. 

Once you get toward the end of the fabric, turn it over and place hot glue on the bottom and fold the extra fabric over the bottom. This will finish the bottom of your flower.

Now you can place your flower on a clip or headband and admire your beautiful new hairpiece! These beautiful rolled flowers also make beautiful pins for a shirt or jacket. 

To make the headband I simply used an elastic trim from Hobby Lobby, measured around my daughters head (I cut mine to be 17” and it fit my 3, 4, and 7 year old) and hot glued the edges together and then hot glued the rolled flower onto the headband! 

*********************************************************************************
Thank you to Amber of KSMonkeys Children's Boutique for writing Chic Threads & Things' first Tutorial Tuesday series.

KSMonkeys Children's Boutique is also on Facebook. Stop by and say hi. Tell her Chic Threads & Things sent you!

500 Fan Celebration/Halloween Giveaway!

We have passed 500 fans and are so excited about that!!!  And what do we do when we hit milestones like this?  We have a multi-vendor giveaway!  And since Halloween is right around the corner, we have decided to put together not one, but TWO awesome Halloween prize packs!

We know that some of our wonderful fans only have girls or only have boys, and so we took that into consideration for these awesome prize packs.  Here are the details.

The GIRLS prize pack includes a Fairy dress, matching fairy wings, Halloween hair bow and personalized trick or treat bag.

Custom Fairy dress in sizes 6-12 month - 8 girls (winner's choice)

by

KS Monkeys Children's Boutique

Halloween Fairy Wings

by

MaeFlowers & JuneBugs

Halloween Hair Bow

by

Nini and Ash

Personalized Trick or Treat Bag

by

Bomberry's Bowtique

The BOYS prize pack includes a super-awesome lightning bolt shirt, matching pants, a super hero cape and mask, super hero wrist cuffs and a personalized trick or treat bag.

Lightning Bolt Shirt

by

SunFlower Freckles

SuperHero Cape and Mask

by

Shades of Pink Boutique

SuperHero Wrist Cuffs to match the cape and mask

by

Nini and Ash

Personalized Trick or Treat Bag

by

Bomberry's Bowtique

We also have some extra sponsors for this giveaway that are helping behind the scenes to make it happen! 

BEEkeeper's Boutique

My Little Lady and Gentleman

Haute & Posh

Stubborn Monkeys

So, how do you enter?  Just follow the steps on the rafflecopters!  One is for girls and one is for boys.  Please pay attention!  And you can enter both if you have boys and girls.  But you can only win one prize pack.

For the GIRLS Prize Pack, enter here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

For the BOYS Prize Pack, enter here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway