Sewing Baby Clothes: Which Fabrics Are Best?

Dear users, dear authors,
If you want to sew baby clothes, which fabrics are suitable (or not)?

The most important thing about baby clothes is that they’re breathable, because babies and toddlers can’t regulate their body temperature on their own like adults can. Cotton jersey is the best choice here—it’s stretchy, and babies and toddlers won’t sweat excessively in it. Also, the clothes shouldn’t be too loose or too tight, because both are problematic and restrict the little ones’ ability to move around.
A pediatrician once told me that if your child is running around half-naked in the summer because they’re too hot, then just put your baby in the stroller wearing only a diaper and a light shirt, because your little one sweats three times as much as you do.

Best regards, Inge

As a beginner seamstress and grandmother of several grandchildren, I can only agree with Inge’s words. You really do need to know your fabrics. Just being pretty isn’t enough for baby clothes. The magic word for beginner seamstresses who don’t want to make any mistakes is really “cotton jersey.” Jersey alone is just a type of fabric and could also be made from other fibers that aren’t breathable. So the word “cotton” is just as important.

Just today, I treated myself to some new fabric for my grandchild. Cotton jersey, of course. My 3 1/2-year-old grandson Oskar is totally into rockets right now. But his “dino phase” is still going strong, too. He loves wearing his dino shirt. Soon I want to surprise him with the rocket shirt.

The dino shirt was my first T-shirt. So, of course, I see room for improvement. For the next one, I definitely want to make a neckband that doesn’t have a seam in the back. And I’ve learned in the meantime that for “pieced-together” items, the quality of the fabrics has to be the same. In this case, the dino fabric was great, but the neon green one was too flimsy. In the end, he’ll wear it either way, but my standards for my sewing skills are growing with each project.

Best regards, Ina

I really like cotton jersey for babies.

But muslin is great, too. Of course, it all depends on what you need to make.

For winter babies, a wool or boiled wool onesie is a good choice for outdoors.

Bodysuits, shirts, etc., should only be made from cotton jersey.

Dresses, on the other hand, can also be sewn from sturdy cotton.

I’ve always sewn with cotton jersey for my four babies and godchildren. There are also lots of lovely patterns and sewing patterns for it: from the classic harem pants or rompers, bodysuits, and shirts all the way to little sweaters.

In the fall and winter, though, I’ve also sewn harem pants from French terry or sweatshirt fabric, as well as a hoodie from sweatshirt fabric.

Best, Sonja