How to Make Baby Clothes

By Read Books Ltd.

This is a classic guide to making a variety of different types of clothing for babies and young children. With simple, step-by-step instructions and helpful tables and diagrams, this volume is perfect for anyone looking to save some money by making their own children’s clothing. Contents include: “A Layette for Baby”, “Infant’s Knitted Vest”, “Baby Jacket, First Size”, “Barracoats”, “Petticoat”, “Nightgown”, “Daygown”, “Matinee Coat”, “Pilch”, “Infant’s Mittens with Thumbs”, “The Shawl”, etc. Many vintage books such as this are increasingly scarce and expensive. It is with this in mind that we are republishing this volume now in an affordable, modern, high-quality edition complete with a specially-commissioned new introduction on dressmaking and tailoring.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Read Books Ltd.
• Release date: Jan 29, 2013
• ISBN: 9781447483854

Book preview

A LAYETTE FOR BABY

SARAH G. SERVICE AND AGNES B. LAIRD

THERE are few prospective mothers who do not have the desire to make the outfit necessary for the little newcomer. It is at this time more than any other that a woman turns to her needle. During her restful moments she plies her needle in quiet meditation, fashioning the tiny garments which are so simple and so fascinating. The time and thoughts spent on the preparation is a labour of love and gives her great joy.

Baby will require:—

Gone are the long clothes in which our mothers took so much pride. Those weighty and cumbersome garments are to-day considered very unhygenic. The aim in baby clothes is to have them light, warm, roomy, and just about 27 inches long.

Baby garments are repeatedly in the wash tub, so the materials must be durable. They must also be soft, and fine so as not to irritate baby’s delicate skin. Wool, silk, or a mixture of silk and wool are the most suitable materials. Delicate colourings must he chosen, and you never go wrong with white or cream, as they are always becoming to the new baby. If colour is desired, then let it be of the very softest tones of pink or blue. Remember, the delicate skin, and the minuteness of the child’s features will not stand any depth of colour.

Trimmings must be simple. Edges may be scalloped, blanket-stitched, a simple crochet edge, or a very fine narrow lace edging gives a dainty finish. No elaborate embroidery is advisable; simple stitches such as feather, satin, chain, stem or lazy-daisy are just the right thing for tiny garments.

It is worth while spending a little time to have all seams, hems, and edges of baby garments finished as flatly as possible, as otherwise they are likely to cause irritation.

INFANTS’ KNITTED VEST

USE soft wool, or a mixture of silk and wool. Veyella wool is unshrinkable and for this reason many people prefer to use it. 2 ounces of 2-ply wool. No. 10 pins.

Cast on 64 stitches and knit 32 ridges of garter stitch = 64 rows. Cast on 28 additional stitches at each side of work on the same pin. Knit 19 ridges more. Knit 45 stitches then cast off 30 stitches in the centre of work for back neck, and continue knitting* one of the sides 4 ridges more. The other side (45 stitches) remains on an odd pin, or stitch-holder, till the first side is completed. Cast on 24 stitches on same pin opposite