UPDATE: I have decided to release the Baby Got Back pattern as a FREE DOWNLOAD! Go here to get yours!
I can’t tell you how excited I am to finally be done with the Baby Got Back pants pattern for cloth-diapered babies! I only wish I’d come up with it, oh, 10 months ago before my baby was born. It would have prevented a lot of frustration in finding pants to fit over her fluffy bum (that aren’t two sizes too big everywhere else!). I found a great pattern that I have used many times to make her pants out of woven fabric, but patterns for knits are few-and-far-between…especially for little ones.
SO, here you have it! The Baby Got Back sewing pattern. The pants are designed to be a legging style, but the 27-page e-book pattern includes instructions for altering the pattern to widen the leg or make other changes. As leggings, they are most appropriate for girls. BUT, they would work equally well for a boy who likes a trim fit! (Or, you can simply make the legs a little wider or go up one size for a baggier fit.)
Here’s how the Baby Got Back sewing pattern is specifically tailored for cloth-diapered babies:
- Scoop front to avoid pants digging into little tummies (and unsightly extra bulk)
- Higher rise front and back to prevent the diaper from sticking out over the top
- Back panel to accommodate the fluffiest of diapers
- Extra space between the legs so your baby is comfortable sitting up, crawling or playing (no more straight-jacket look!)
- Super soft elastic waistband to avoid extra pressure around the tummy
In addition to the basic legging pattern, I’ve included the following in the e-book:
- Instructions for making various alterations to the pattern for a custom fit
- Faux fly template and instructions for making “jeggings”
- Applique templates (star and heart) and instructions
- Ruffle bum/cuff tutorial
- Ruching tutorial (for the leg cuffs – soooo cute!)
- Capri instructions
Are you just a beginning sewist? Have you never sewn with knits? Have no fear! I fully illustrate exactly how to make the Baby Got Back pants with photos for every step along the way. You don’t need any special equipment other than a sewing machine, and a serger is totally optional.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1/2 – 3/4 yard of stretch knit fabric like interlock, jersey, fleece, velour, etc.
- OR, you can upcycle a t-shirt or turtleneck!! Just imagine the possibilities…
- 3/4″ knit elastic (just a tiny bit more than your baby’s waist measurement)
- Thread, straight pins, scissors, marking pen/chalk – the usual sewing stuff!
Sizing Information
I have included the following sizes in the pattern:
- 0-3mos
- 3-6mos
- 6-12mos
- 12-18mos
- 18-24mos
- 2T
I didn’t do a newborn size because I never really had much problem getting newborn or size 0-3mos size pants on Harper when she was tiny – even with her cloth diaper (she was average size – 7.5lbs and 20 inches). Remember, if you’re used to buying pants two sizes too big for your baby to accommodate her cloth diaper, you don’t have to do that with the Baby Got Back sewing pattern. In fact, the pattern is sized pretty generously so babies at the top percentile range can still wear these pants (or babies at the top end of each age range – in other words, the 6-12mos size is designed to actually fit a 12-month-old). If in doubt when selecting your baby’s size, go down a size! Or, if you want a nice-and-fitted legging look, go down a size. You can always grab an old t-shirt and whip up a sample pair to be sure about the fit before cutting into a more valuable fabric.
Harper is shown in all these photos wearing the 6-12mos size. In the photos, she is 9-months-old, 19 pounds and 28 inches tall. She is in the 40th percentile for weight and the 70th for height. She could actually wear the 3-6mos size if I wanted a really fitted look. I like making her clothing a little big though so she has plenty of room to grow!