I sew for my three daughters ages 4, 10, and 18, on a regular basis. I also have a 19 year old son and a 26 year old stepdaughter, but I didn’t sew much for them besides Halloween costumes when they were younger. I became more serious about sewing and designing for my kids in the past four years, I’d say.
My middle daughter is now 10 and at the age where she is developing her own sense of style. When she was younger I used to love making her dresses from 1940’s and 50’s patterns. She looked so cute and them and we had such fun going to flea markets together!
But she ‘s not really into her vintage dresses anymore. At her age, most girls don’t want to stand out too much . They want to fit in with the crowd. As an experienced mother of four girls, I can tell you that this is a phase and it does pass.
And by 17 or 18, they REALLY want to stand out from the crowd! At least my 18 year old does and we have had several talks about why it’s important to not reveal too much in the clothing department.
Below are some of the outfits I’ve collaborated on with my pre-teen and teen daughters and sewed for them that they love and wear often…even if I think they might be a little too racy….
Now here are a few outfits I’ve made for them that I made without consulting their taste or having them help choose the fabric. And as cute as I think these outfits are, they just collect dust in their closets. So annoying……
You might be like me and actually like the reject outfits more than the embraced ones. But guess what? That doesn’t matter! What matters is that you don’t waste your time sewing what you think would look good on your girls but will never get worn.
I can’t stress enough how important it is to remember that once your daughter gets to about the age of 9, sewing for her will have to become a collaboration. Unless you want the garment to sit in her closet collecting dust, she needs to feel that the garment was mostly her idea, and you have to take a back seat as designer when it comes to fabric choices etc.
While it’s frustrating to spend hours making something only to have it sit in a closet, I learned the lesson about COLLABORATION the hard way. I’m hoping to pass my advice along to others who sew for older girls. Wast not, want not.
I have a 4 yr old that is super picky about everything clothing wise. More due to sensory issues, but I always ask her before I make something. I’ve learned my lesson!
I agree with everything you said! My girls are 10 now and I ask them before I buy a pattern or fabric now. Too many beautiful dresses have hung in the closet only being worn once or twice.
Yes, there comes a time when the girls input is a must. Looks like all your girls have their own style and they wear it well! I do adore the pink gingham dress, the maxi dress, and the youngest girl’s silk dress, very pretty. My daughters would love your older girls shorter dresses. All lovely!
My little girl is five an already has very strong opinions about what she will wear. So, I don’t sew without lots of input, lol. You are so right about things hanging unworn and how frustrating it is. I learned the hard way as well. On one hand I’m sad to see her growing up so fast, but its also fun to see what she comes up with. Sometimes her ideas have turned out way better than mine, and sewing for her and with her let’s me be a part of her expressing her creativity. I really enjoy your blog, and especially your sewing for your kids.
Thanks for the advice! My kids are too young to give input but this is good advice to keep in mind as they grow older and have their own personal style.
‘Wise words indeed! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures
Very good advice.
Very true, Justine! If you only sew what you want them to wear, it’s going to end up unworn. My trick with K is to find examples online of the style clothing I think would look nice on her and then ask her what she thinks. That’s what I did with the peplum top…showed her a pin of a striped one from Aeropostale. If I had just made the top with out consulting her, she would have refused to wear it. Turns out that she really liked it and even wore it to school on the 2nd day. She came home and told me that random girls were stopping her in the hall and complimenting her top. Score!:)
Clever tip, showing your child a version on-line before making it. Thanks for the mention.
Love to read your thoughts on this. I feel like the majority of people are sewing for their littles, and now that I have a very style conscious teen – creative and thoughtful about what she wears – it is important to change gears a bit. I think it is really fun sewing for her, even though I don’t have total confidence making her something without a thorough consult first. The things you are making are gorgeous!
Hello, I’m new to your blog but I was so happy to read this post. I have three girls, ages 17, 8, and 2. My son is 5. Well, found out a while back not to sew for the oldest, she would hate everything. Occasionally I might make a bag she likes or a quilt and I let her have it. The 8 year old is very picky also, she wants all her clothes to be store bought. She has been that way since she was 3 or4. However, since I sew nearly all my youngest daughters clothing, certain dresses or fabrics will catch the 8year olds attention. Example, I made the baby one of those adorable sweetheart dresses, that one with the cut out heart in the back…. Oh my 2year old was in love with it and the 8 year old cried because it wasn’t for her. I’m going to make her one also now but even when i do, she prolly won’t wear it.