Garment Construction II – JSS2 Fashion and Garment Making Lesson Note (First Term)

Children’s wear is clothing made in small sizes for babies and young children, and it must be comfortable, durable, washable and safe.

Behavioural objectives

1. State why children’s clothes are good for practising sewing skills.
2. List four qualities children’s clothes must have.
3. Choose suitable fabrics and notions for children’s wear.
4. Describe the steps for making a simple A-line baby dress.
5. Name finishing touches and decorations for a child’s outfit.

Why make children’s clothes?

Children’s clothes are a good way to practise sewing because they are small and simple to make.

• Little fabric: small garments need only a small amount of cloth.
• Simple shapes: most patterns have few pieces and straight or gently curved lines.
• Quick results: a small garment is finished sooner, so you see your progress fast.

What should we consider when making clothes for children?

Children are very active, so their clothes must be comfortable, durable, washable and safe.

• Comfortable: not too tight, so children can run, jump and climb.
• Durable: seams must be strong so they do not rip easily during play.
• Washable: children get dirty, so the fabric should wash easily, like cotton.
• Safe: avoid long cords and small buttons that a baby could swallow.

What are the types of simple children’s wear?

Three simple types of children’s wear are the A-line dress, shorts with an elastic waist and the bib.

• A-line dress: a simple dress narrow at the top and wide at the bottom, like the letter A.
• Shorts with elastic waist: easy for a child to pull on and off.
• Bib: worn by babies during feeding to protect their clothes.

How do we choose fabrics and notions for children’s wear?

The fabric you choose is as important as the sewing, and notions are the small items used to finish a garment.

Best fabrics

• Cotton: soft on the skin and it “breathes”, which suits the Nigerian heat.
• Gingham: a popular checked fabric, often used for school pinafores and play dresses.
• Ankara: a colourful local print that hides dirt well.

Notions

What are the steps for making a simple A-line baby dress?

A simple baby dress is made by drafting the pattern, cutting, joining the shoulders and finishing the edges.

1. Prepare the pattern: use a basic bodice pattern and extend it downwards and outwards. Babies have no defined waist, so the dress can flow straight from the armhole to the hem.
2. Cut the fabric: fold the fabric in half. Place the centre front of the pattern on the fold to cut one front piece. Cut two back pieces, with the centre back edges away from the fold, to make the opening.
3. Join the shoulders: place the right sides of the front and back together and sew the shoulder seams. This is usually the first seam when joining a dress.
4. Finish the neckline and armholes: children’s skin is sensitive, so use bias binding on these curves. It gives smooth, neat edges.
5. Join the side seams: place right sides together and sew from the armhole down to the hem.
6. Add the opening and fastener: finish the back opening and attach a button, press stud or zip.
7. Hem the dress: fold up the bottom edge and stitch it neatly.

What finishing touches can be added to a child’s outfit?

Finishing touches are the openings, decorations and hem that make a garment neat and stylish.

Openings and fasteners

• Back neck opening: a child’s head is large compared with the body, so the dress needs an opening to pass over the head.
• Fastener choice: use a simple slit with a button, or a zip.

Decorative features

• Patch pockets: a small square pocket on the front where a child keeps “treasures”.
• Embroidery: simple hand stitches, such as a flower or a star.
• Frills or ruffles: a gathered strip of fabric added at the bottom hem.

The hem

• Hem: the very bottom edge of the garment.
• Deep hem: extra fabric folded inside, often used for children’s wear.
• Letting down the hem: when the child grows taller, open the deep hem to lengthen the dress for another year.

Evaluation

1. List four qualities children’s clothes must have.
2. Name three fabrics suitable for children’s wear and give a reason for each.
3. Why do we prefer elastic waistbands for toddlers instead of zips and buttons?
4. Why do we use bias binding on the neckline and armholes of a baby dress?
5. Look at a baby’s dress. Can you identify the seam allowance from the last lesson?

Assignment

Choose one simple children’s garment (A-line dress, elastic-waist shorts or bib). Write the fabric, the notions and the steps you would use to make it.