Please recognise when I produce these reviews, it has taken a lot of research and late nights, so please don't just copy all of this onto your own web site without acknowledging the source. Thank you!
You'll understand that I don't have a lot of pictures of boys wearing clothes that I've made for them - well, none, really. So where I've provided pictures, these are either going to be of girls, but the patterns would work just as well for boys; or they are from the web sites who provide the free patterns. I will say again, when people are generous enough to share their patterns, they do so on the basis that these are for your own personal use, and not for commercial purposes - nor to be shared without acknowledgement.
I've divided this into shorts, trousers/pants, tops, and other stuff that might appeal to boys (as well as my grand-daughters). I've shown the sizes available. If you are making for a not very large toddler, then there may still be other things in my earlier post that may help.
You won't find me recommending any patterns that have identical backs and front to trousers/ pants and shorts. That's just plain wrong!
Shorts
1. Here's a pattern for a Simple pair of shorts age 2 (No fly)
Yes, these are illustrated on a girl on the tutorial, too, but no reason at all why they wouldn't work for a small boy. They are simple, and what's most important, they correctly have a longer back seam than the front. It would be easy to make a fake fly if you wanted, but I'm assuming that at just 2, most boys are probably still in nappies (diapers if you are American). So you don't need a full fly front. But they do have pockets and a further pocket option.
Shorts pattern (again, no fly) which comes in sizes 6 months to 4, and 5 to 12. This is a nice web site with a shop selling patterns and sewing supplies, with a blog and tutorials on how to sew, but among the free patterns offered is this one. I haven't used it yet, but I'm sure I will. Again, it looks simple, and has a properly designed front and back. (Photo from the Oliver + S web site - on which you'll find them worn by a boy!)
3. There are two types of shorts from Sew Like My Mom that are suitable for boys. First, the Tupelo shorts. These are suitable for knits only. There are two separate patterns to download, one from size 12 months to 8, ad the other from age 6 to age 16. So plenty of choice there!
This is a web site that sells patterns, but if you go into the shop you will find some are for free. You'll have to register but that costs you nothing - and you may like the free pattern well enough that you'll want to buy others! Although the illustration shows these as knee-length or a bit longer, they could be made shorter if that's what you wanted.
4. The second of the Sew Like My Mom patterns that is worth looking at is the Sycamore shorts.
Again, these are mainly illustrated on girls (though in this picture I think there is a little chap wearing them, as well as the girls). They come in sizes 12 months to 8, but I think the design might not be manly enough for older boys. Good deep pockets. I haven't made up this pattern yet, and if I do, I may fiddle with it. Creating a longer back crutch seam than the front is achieved just by cutting down the front by an inch - I'm not convinced by this, as I like the inside leg seams to sit forward a bit. So I would also raise the back centre a bit and extend the curve on the back a bit as well. But it's an interesting design.
5. On the Cutting Floor was always one of my favourite sites for patterns and free patterns, but it no longer seems to work properly. There was also a nice cargo pants tutorial, but that link also seems to have disappeared. However, I have pdf copies of these, and the Bermuda Shorts pattern in ages 12 months - 8 years. This link is the Bermuda shorts tutorial which is currently still available, tutorial - but as at the time of writing the link to the actual pattern was still broken - shame, it's a nice one. I've contacted the site owner to report the problem, in the meantime I could forward the pdf if you contact me.
For boys up to about 9, patterns for PJ pants or trouser pants are pretty much interchangeable, in my view. You can fancy them up with cuffs, pockets, patches etc. If you find a particular pattern too baggy for your young man, just pare the legs down a bit.
A note about fly front pants
None of these free patterns below has a fly front, though Dana's Made Every Day web site suggests how you can make flat front trousers on which you can fake a fly front. With an older boy (say, one that has started school) he might prefer a real fly front. Here is an excellent tutorial by Oliver + S which tells you exactly how to add one when your pattern has only a fake fly or none. But read it before you start cutting! And here's another, illustrated with photos. But there are also plenty of You Tube tutorials to help you. I've listed the best of the rest here. You may want to look at one or two, especially if you are not confident about the method.
Grow your own clothes: For me, this is the best of these and includes a pattern.
Ministry of Craft: Includes how to draft the fly front.
On Craftsy there is a basic tutorial you may find helpful.
Another tutorial is here on Sew News.
Sallie Oh gives this one, based on a specific pants pattern - but the method works for anything I think.
And finally, from Closet Case patterns, like the previous one, is based on a specific pattern but the tutorial may be helpful.
Note that making a fly front is not (in my humble opinion) for beginners. I confess I have not tackled it myself - as someone who has been sewing for over 50 years.
Free pants patterns
(Remember, none of these has a fly front.)
1. Basic pants pattern from Dana / Made every day, in size 2-3
2. Boys pants by Ikatbag, age 3 only. These look great, but the design would also work with other patterns that come in different sizes.
3. PJ pants by Life Sew Savory - one hour or less PJs, available on Craftsy in size 2-4
4. Pajamara PJ pants by Shwin and Shwin age 4, adaptable to 6 (also has a PJ top)
6. Boys pajamas by see kate sew in age 5, pattern available through Craftsy.
7. My favourite pants and pj pants pattern, also used for reversible trousers, by Jereli, in ages 18 months to 5 years - but I have happliy extended it by lengthening the legs, and may continue to do so, perhaps also adding a bit to the top and width. I used the Jereli pattern to make these reversible pj pants below.
8. Retro sweatpants by Elegance and Elephants, in 1-9 years
9. Knit pjs, age 9 only - you can probably shorten them a bit for a smaller size.
10. Finally, one that I feel some reluctance to share, as it breaks my rule, that I "never" recommend patterns where the front is the same as the back. BUT: it has generously been offered free, it comes in a range of sizes from 6 months to age 7 - so it fills a bit of a gap - and it has very good instructions and tutorial for making up. It is by Made by Marzipan. However, I would strongly recommend that if you do use this pattern, you look at my post on adapting pants patterns where the front and back is the same.
Tops
In this section, I've listed a loose collection of vest tops, T-shirts, hoodies, and waistcoats (which I think are also called vests in the US, whereas what we'd call a vest in the UK is called a tank top (I think) in the US. Trousers are pants, and pants are knickers. Well, I think it was George Bernard Shaw who said we are two nations divided by a common language!
1. First, this classic shirt (as opposed to T shirt). I love the idea of a little lad wearing this. They all seem to live in T shirts now, unless they are royalty. But it does look really cute. The pattern (and picture) is another one by the Small Dream Factory. It comes in sizes up to 24 months. You could probably enlarge this slightly.
Now, some T shirts. You have to be confident sewing with knits. I've made a few knit T shirts for the grandchildren, but I do prefer sewing with woven fabrics. Besides, T shirts are cheap as chips in the shops. So I haven't many examples of my own to present. But I can see that they would be staples for boys. You don't need lots of pictures, do you? It's a T shirt!
2. First, a free envelope neck T shirt pattern for boys up to age 2, from Small Dream Factory again. She has other T shirt designs, long and short sleeve, envelope next and round neck, raglan style etc, and the free patterns are mostly in the same smaller sizes (some up to age 3 or thereabouts) with larger sizes available to purchase.
3. Another for boys age 2-4 years, from Melly Sews. She also sells the same pattern in larger and smaller sizes.
4. Next, a basic T shirt pattern by Made Every Day, in age 4-5 years. That's the pattern. Here's the tutorial, with lots of tips. She also advises how to make an envelope neck, which I favour, especially with home-made T shirts - definitely makes getting them on and off easier. There are also suggestions for how to make your own pattern if this size doesn't work for you.
5. Something a bit different is this Misusu Bib T shirt in ages from 18 months up to 5 or 6 years, on the Sew Mama Sew web site. In a suitably masculine fabric, it would suit a boy, even though it is pictured only on girls.
6. Here's one that comes in larger sizes, available free through Craftsy. It's a design by Life Sew Savory, for a long sleeve T shirt (also with a short sleeve version). Ages 2 -10.
7. A couple of tank tops (which we in the UK call vests!) First, for age 5-6, this one from Life Sew Savory.
8. And for boys of 6-7, I-Candy has this one.
9. Another tank top pattern from ages 4-11 comes from Crazy Little Projects. I haven't made it yet, but plan to.
9. Now, a nice little waistcoat (or vest, in the US) This, with detailed tutorial, is from Mother Huddle. It's size 5 but she say it would work for size 4 as well. I'm sure the idea could be adapted for smaller or larger sizes.
10. And finally, this lovely hooded sweatshirt, only in size 7-8. This is from Shwin and Shwin.
Other stuff that will appeal to boys (and my grand-daughters!)
10. And finally, this lovely hooded sweatshirt, only in size 7-8. This is from Shwin and Shwin.
Other stuff that will appeal to boys (and my grand-daughters!)
Here are just a few of my unisex favourites.
1. First, a hat with flaps - love it! I haven't made this yet (but I'm thinking of making one for myself. It comes in sizes from newborn to 8 years.
2. How about a dressing gown / bathrobe? Here's one from Melly Sews.
3. Next, a pattern for a simple back pack. I added a zip to stop the contents falling out.
These are actually both being modelled by girls, but the idea would work equally well for boys. For example - see the picture below. Here's some great superheroes cotton fabric - would make a great rucksack for a boy - my grand-daughters also love it!
4. My favourite tee pee pattern: this has had nearly four years of use already. And I envisage it will still keep going for a few more years yet.
1. First, a hat with flaps - love it! I haven't made this yet (but I'm thinking of making one for myself. It comes in sizes from newborn to 8 years.
2. How about a dressing gown / bathrobe? Here's one from Melly Sews.
3. Next, a pattern for a simple back pack. I added a zip to stop the contents falling out.
These are actually both being modelled by girls, but the idea would work equally well for boys. For example - see the picture below. Here's some great superheroes cotton fabric - would make a great rucksack for a boy - my grand-daughters also love it!
And there are always towels, bedding, quiet books, and all sorts of other things you can make for boys! Hopefully, enough to get you started. Let me have any other ideas you'd like to share for patterns for boys.
For further ideas, have a look at Sew Pretty Sew Free. This web site has lots of useful links.
Also, Melly Sews has a number of other free boy patterns. You need to register to her site to get her newsletter, in which she gives you the current code to access the free patterns. She also sells patterns in her on-line Blank Slate pattern shop.
Also, Melly Sews has a number of other free boy patterns. You need to register to her site to get her newsletter, in which she gives you the current code to access the free patterns. She also sells patterns in her on-line Blank Slate pattern shop.
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