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Kid's body measurements, help needed!
filifjonka Intermediate FINLAND Member since 10/24/12 Posts: 3	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 2/6/13 4:42 PM Hello everybody, I am a hobby sewer from Finland. I've recently taken up pattern drafting for kid's clothes by using the book "Metric pattern cutting for children's wear and babywear". I've also been sewing a lot using the patterns of Ottobre magazine and I'm a bit confused by the marked difference between the body measurement charts of these two. For toddlers under the age of 3 years the pattern book chart lists the chest girth being the same as hip girth. Whereas in Ottobre chart the hip girth of a child is 4-7 cm (1,5-2,5 inches) larger that the chest girth. Those of you who sew for your own kids, could you please help me? In your opinion, which one is closer to the reality?
misschris AUSTRALIA Member since 2/3/06 Posts: 1327	Login to reply to this post In reply to filifjonka << Like this post Date: 2/6/13 5:54 PM Quote: which one is closer to the reality? Not the answer you're looking for, I know, but there is no reality! Every body is different. As children and as adults - we all vary from the "norm" in some way. Pattern designers will choose a standardised sizing system to draft by or make up their own, hence the variations found across all the pattern brands. I've used both the Aldritch method for drafting for my children and sewn from Ottobre magazine. I can tell you that in my experience, the Aldritch sizing was closer to my older son and Ottobre was a better fit for my younger son. I altered as appropriate. My daughter rarely fit into any standard and everything had to be drafted or altered. The advantage of drafting your own patterns is that you can draft according to measurements (if you have them) and create a personalised fit. If you don't have measurements to work with, then pick the set of numbers you prefer and work with that. The advantage of sewing for children is that fit is less critical than for adults - Kids don't mind so much if a garment is a bit loose and they don't have the more pronounced curves that adults (generally) have that require darts, etc. ------ chris Melbourne
Pj3g   Intermediate WI USA Member since 2/14/11 Posts: 448	Login to reply to this post In reply to filifjonka << Like this post Date: 2/6/13 6:48 PM I have the measurements of grandchildren handy. Three of them are 3 and under. Here's their differences: 3 year old's chest is 1/2 inch bigger than his hip. 1 & 1/2 year old's chest is 1 inch smaller than his hip. 6 month old's chest is 1 inch smaller than his hip. And the 5 year old's chest is 2 inches smaller than her hip. Hope this helps. ------ Thank you Lord for my Mother who taught me the joy of sewing.
filifjonka Intermediate FINLAND Member since 10/24/12 Posts: 3	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 2/12/13 8:03 AM Thank you misschris and Pj3g for helping out. I think I'll make up my own chart by tweaking the Aldrich chart a little.

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