Sewing for kids – patterns, tips and tricks to start today

Did you hear the news? There's a brand new Sewing for Kids magazine out, so we've put together this guide to the best children's sewing patterns and projects to celebrate. We'll be adding our favourite children's sewing patterns to this post to help you start making clothes for the children in your family, and read on for our pick of the best sewing kits for kids too if you want to get children sewing. For more project inspiration, order your copy of Sewing for Kids today.

If you've got your copy already of the new magazine, we've included handy links to all the sewing templates you need at the bottom of this post. You can also see a taster of project pictures to get an idea of just a few of the 50 beautiful kids sewing projects inside. And if you've found this post as you're looking for ways to get children into sewing, you might also like our guide to the Best Kids Sewing Machines and 10 top tips for cross stitch for kids.

Looking for more craft ideas for kids? Check out our fun arts and crafts to do at home.

Sewing for Kids – your complete guide!

• Best children's sewing patterns
• Sewing For Kids magazine: reader templates

6 of the best children's sewing patterns

Kibadoo Children's Cleo Parker

• Available from Amazon (£11.71)

You'll need a bit of sewing experience for this one but oh how cute is it? This children's parker coat sewing pattern has raglan sleeves to allow wriggling and climbing room plus a bit of give to fit jumpers or sweaters to be worn underneath, plus indoors cuffs and a windshield bar for chin protection. We're officially now hooked on Kibadoo patterns – browse their full range over on Etsy.

Wild Things Dresses – Girl's Rainbow Dress

• Available with Sewing for Kids magazine (£11.99)

Come rain or shine, brighten up any day with this A-line pinafore dress bursting with colour and fun. Add patch pockets, button straps and appliqué a rainbow on the front (honestly does dressmaking get any more fun than this? Make it for ages 6 months to 7 years.

Simplicity Child's Top and Leggings

• Available from John Lewis (£8.50)

Sew up a soft and cosy combo with this sweet top and leggings pattern for intermediate makers from Simplicity. It shows you how to make a back-buttoned tops with raglan sleeves and contrast or animal pockets, plus pull-on leggings with an elastic waist. It's designed for stretch knits for that soft finish they'll love to change into after a long day in school uniform.

Poppy & Jazz Dandelion Dungarees

• Available from Sew Over It (from £7.50)

Poppy & Jazz is the recently released children's sewing pattern collection from Sew Over It, featuring a super cute collection of children's clothes to sew for the children in your life. These cutest of reversible jersey dungarees are topping our must-make list. This is a beginner-friendly pattern for ages 0-24 months. The Dandelion Dungarees are the cutest pair of reversible jersey dungarees. They fasten with poppers, have extra long straps to allow for growth and are super easy to sew.

Burda Boy's Sweater Sewing Pattern

• Available from Minerva Crafts (£7.50)

This warm and cosy pattern will soon become an Autumn/Winter wardrobe essential – sew it in three versions: as a pullover with a neckband, a sweater with a stand collar, or a hooded version with a patch pocket.

Easy skater dress DIY

Try this easy-to-sew skater dress by Kirsty Hartley and Simply Sewing magazine for a perfect addition to your little girl’s wardrobe. Wear on its own in the summer, or layered with long-sleeved tops and tights – it could also be made as a separate jersey top and skirt, too. Did we mention you get to add rainbow pom poms?

Free girls dress sewing pattern

Sewing for Kids: Templates for readers

Sewing clothes for children

• Page 13 – Cosy jersey toddler pyjamas
• Page 16 – Sunshine appliqué shirt: Part 1 (shirt pattern) and Part 2 (shirt applique details)
• Page 21 – Romper, top and shorts set

Games to play

• Page 28 – Puppet theatre and characters
• Page 33 – Vegetable toys
• Page 37 – Plushie guitar toy
• Page 39 – Fishing game

Home patterns for children

• Page 43 – Bed canopy
• Page 46 – Jigsaw cushion
• Page 53 – Cloud pillows
• Page 56 – Advent calendar and stocking

Gift ideas for kids

• Page 63 – Monster pyjama bag
• Page 67 – Mini tooth fairy pillow
• Page 69 – Animal satchels

Let’s dress up!

• Page 77 – Cat cape Part 1 and Part 2 and cat details
• Page 80 – Fairy wands
• Page 81 – Paradise bird wings set
• Page 84 – Butterfly wings
• Page 85 – Sausage dog tool belt

Plushie toys

• Page 15 – Snowman softie
• Page 91 – Ballerina toy
• Page 95 – Dinosaur toy
• Page 99 – Penguin softies

Games to play

• Page 28 – Puppet theatre and characters
• Page 33 – Vegetable toys
• Page 37 – Plushie guitar toy
• Page 39 – Fishing game

Home patterns for children

• Page 43 – Bed canopy
• Page 46 – Jigsaw cushion
• Page 53 – Cloud pillows
• Page 56 – Advent calendar and stocking

Gift ideas for kids

• Page 63 – Monster pyjama bag
• Page 67 – Mini tooth fairy pillow
• Page 69 – Animal satchels

Let’s dress up!

• Page 77 – Cat cape Part 1 and Part 2 and cat details
• Page 80 – Fairy wands
• Page 81 – Paradise bird wings set
• Page 84 – Butterfly wings
• Page 85 – Sausage dog tool belt

Plushie toys

• Page 15 – Snowman softie
• Page 91 – Ballerina toy
• Page 95 – Dinosaur toy
• Page 99 – Penguin softies