You are on the third page of my post about free PDF patterns for newborns. If you missed Page 1, or Page 2, you might want to return there first. I wrote in those pages about onesies, dresses, T shirts, hats, and clothes with legs. In this post, I'll try and pick up on patterns for other types of clothes you might want to make for newborn babies.
I should say first of all that I still strongly discourage people from making clothes in newborn size. (Though even I sometimes ignore my own advice, and then regret it. ) Many newborns are already too large for the smallest size clothes, and if they aren't at birth, they soon will be. But the fact that you are here suggests you also intend to make newborn clothes anyway, no matter how much I urge you not to. So go ahead. Read on to find free PDF patterns to help you make cute, tiny clothes that may never be worn!
Bibs
A newborn gown fashioned from an adult T shirt
While I'm not sure that I would make a gown for a newborn baby with a skull and crossbones on it, This Mama Makes Stuff has this pattern and tutorial for fashioning an adult T short into a baby gown. (Though of course, you could use any knit fabric.)
Back to Page 2 of Newborn Patterns
I'm going to start with bibs. You will have less chance of these being too small. I have done separate posts on bibs and aprons, and dribble bibs and baby towels, so you could read those posts for more ideas.
Probably my favourite bibs for babies (because they are nice and easy) are dribble bibs made out of a triangle of towelling. I explain how to do this in my Dribble Bibs post.
And let's face it, you can't have too many.
Another favourite is the simple bias binding bib - you can make it as simple or as decorative as you like. This one was designed to match a dress. It used the free PDF pattern from Purl Soho called Quick Bias Tape Bib. It has a little pocket in my version, in the same fabric as the matching dress.
And for a third idea, suitable for newborn, is the Pretty Bird bib from Sew4home. I haven't made this pattern up myself, hence the picture comes from the Sew4home web site, but it looks very sweet.
Sleeping clothes
My children and grandchildren all slept, most of the time, in baby-gros - purchased stretchy sleep suits, or onesies with legs, which make nappy changing easy. And they can be thrown in the tub on a hot wash. (The onesies, not the babies.) They are so cheap to buy, and you need at least 6 - which will be outgrown and replaced with the next size up only too soon. In fact, with one of my granddaughters, we resorted to cutting the feet open to make them last another week or two, as her toes were starting to get squeezed into the ends.
So why would you make clothes for the newborn baby to sleep in? Well, in fact, with my first child, I did make a couple of cute little nightdresses, with a button up flap at the bottom to stop them being able to ride up. And yes, each of them was only worn a couple of times. So, hey, if you want to make sleeping clothes, who am I to try and stop you? Here are a few.
Pyjama Suit with kimono top
I'm sure some of the appeal of this suit from Titchy Threads is the sweet fabric combination.
But it looks quick and easy to make. The link above gives the description. For the free PDF, it's available here from Craftsy. But note that the whole PDf runs to 34 pages. You probably don't need to print all of that out.
A newborn gown fashioned from an adult T shirt
While I'm not sure that I would make a gown for a newborn baby with a skull and crossbones on it, This Mama Makes Stuff has this pattern and tutorial for fashioning an adult T short into a baby gown. (Though of course, you could use any knit fabric.)
It has an envelope neckline, optional handflaps, and an elasticated open bottom. So it has to be pulled over the baby's head.
A fleece sleep suit, kimono style
Purl Soho produces and hosts some free nice patterns. This little sleepsuit is one I haven't used personally, but it looks cosy. It comes in 0-3 months size, but with instructions for altering the size to fit other size babies. Because of the front opening, this might also work for a later stage premature baby.
Baby Gowns
A different style, also with a gathered / elasticated bottom, from Ginger Cake. The ones I made for my own daughters were similar to this, though you can also use a peasant style pattern, see Dresses on Page 1. For mine, rather than having an elasticated bottom, I cut the front shorter than the back, and used the longer back as a flap to cover the front, with Velcro or buttons. The flap ensures that the gown doesn't ride up as the babies kick.
A Sleep bag for 0-3 months
If you use a swaddling cloth or blankets for the newborn baby, you probably won't need a sleeping bag. I think those really come into their own when the baby is bigger and capable of kicking all its bedding off, or wriggling out of it. If you do want one, then this one from Sew Mama Sew is in newborn size.
Shoes and mittens
Mostly if you want shoes or mittens for a newborn, you are going to make crocheted or knitted ones, or, if like me you can't knit or crochet, you hope a nice friend or auntie will make them for you. And after all, if your newborn spends most of his or her time in a babygro indoors or padded outdoor suit with feet, there won't be much need for shoes.
However, here are a couple of free sewing patterns if you want to sew some shoes or mittens., First, the felt baby shoes from Purl Soho:
One day, I'll get round to publishing my shirt and rompers combo for a newborn, but it needs some photography first.
A fleece sleep suit, kimono style
Purl Soho produces and hosts some free nice patterns. This little sleepsuit is one I haven't used personally, but it looks cosy. It comes in 0-3 months size, but with instructions for altering the size to fit other size babies. Because of the front opening, this might also work for a later stage premature baby.
Kimono style top
An alternative kimono style top (a shorter style than the one in the set above) which could be paired with pants to make nice PJs. (Lots of pants patterns on Page 2 of this post.) And as it has snap fasteners rather than strings, you might prefer it. This one is another free PDF pattern from Purl Soho.
There is also another longer kimono on Page 1 of this post, under Dresses, which comes in 3 premature baby sizes as well as a newborn size..
Baby Gowns
A different style, also with a gathered / elasticated bottom, from Ginger Cake. The ones I made for my own daughters were similar to this, though you can also use a peasant style pattern, see Dresses on Page 1. For mine, rather than having an elasticated bottom, I cut the front shorter than the back, and used the longer back as a flap to cover the front, with Velcro or buttons. The flap ensures that the gown doesn't ride up as the babies kick.
If you use a swaddling cloth or blankets for the newborn baby, you probably won't need a sleeping bag. I think those really come into their own when the baby is bigger and capable of kicking all its bedding off, or wriggling out of it. If you do want one, then this one from Sew Mama Sew is in newborn size.
However, the newborn size may be outgrown very quickly. I found this information from Slumbersac, who make and sell on-line sleeping bags for babies. Their recommended sizes of their own products are as follows:
Newborn: length 19-22 in / 48-56 cm, weight 4.5 - 10 lbs / 2-4.5 kg
0-6 months: length 22-27 in/ 56-68 cm, weight 9-18 lbs / 4-8 kg.
So personally, I would not want to make the smallest size. There are patterns for larger sleeping bags on the internet, of which my favourite is from Small Dream Factory. That is in 6-14 months but I've also enlarged it to 18-24 months, and it would be just as easy to make it a bit smaller if you wanted.
Mostly if you want shoes or mittens for a newborn, you are going to make crocheted or knitted ones, or, if like me you can't knit or crochet, you hope a nice friend or auntie will make them for you. And after all, if your newborn spends most of his or her time in a babygro indoors or padded outdoor suit with feet, there won't be much need for shoes.
However, here are a couple of free sewing patterns if you want to sew some shoes or mittens., First, the felt baby shoes from Purl Soho:
There is another pattern and tutorial for a cute pair of baby shoes from New Conceptions. The pattern is described as 0-6 months, so for newborn I might make them a little smaller. They are elasticated at the back so might stand a better chance of staying on!
Another pair of links to 2 pages of a whole host of other ideas for baby footwear can be found by following:
both from Cute DIY Projects.
A Circle Skirt
This little circle skirt, below, in 0-3 months size did fit Ada, because I made sure it did! - but circle skirts can be made in any size, and are very forgiving. It's here teamed with a bought onesie vest, one of a set of three. I made my own pattern for this skirt, to get it out of one fat quarter, but there is a 0-3 months one from Dana Made It. Dana uses wide coloured elastic for the waistband (easy to get in the US, less so in the UK, so it may vary according to where you live). However, for a newborn baby, I preferred to make a narrower waistband of the same material as the skirt, doubled over, with a piece of elastic through it, which I could pull up for an accurate fit, before finishing it off. Here's how I made this one. (You'll need to scroll down to the middle of that page.)
A Hoodie
This is from Brindille Twig, and would be a nice cosy top to cover up for a winter born 0-3 month baby. I haven't made it myself, hence the picture is from their web site. They do have a lot of paid for patterns as well, but this one is free.
One day, I'll get round to publishing my shirt and rompers combo for a newborn, but it needs some photography first.
Finally, if you haven't found the free newborn patterns for you in these pages, try these links.
Mums Make Lists
Mums Make Lists
Back to Page 1 of Newborn Patterns
Back to Page 2 of Newborn Patterns
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