I've been making baby and children's clothes for the past 5 and a half years, when I first became a grandmother. I hadn't made many since my own children were babies, and the difference between then and now is that there are many people now who provide free PDF patterns on the internet. (Though I still had a handful of paper patterns from 30 years ago.) So I've devoted my blog to searching out and reviewing free PDF patterns for babies and children.
I have a separate series of posts for newborn patterns, for boys and girls. Regular readers of my blog will know that I generally try to dissuade people from making the smallest 0-3 month sizes - they may never fit, or may be outgrown faster than you can change a nappy. . But I know many people want to make them anyway. If that's you, off you go to my other post, and come back here when you want to make baby girl clothes in larger sizes.
Note that at the time of writing, all these patterns were free. Pattern designers are often generous enough to offer some taster patterns, which is a great way to decide if you like the patterns from these designers before you move on to paid-for patterns. Please ensure that you acknowledge them, as I always do, if you want to use the patterns or write about them. Not all of them want their patterns used commercially (for example if you are selling items you make for a profit.)
I should first say that I'm not a believer in dressing baby girls only in girlie clothes. If you like girlie clothes, that's your choice, but plain pants, trousers and shorts have their place, too. There's also a period in baby girls' lives, from crawling to getting on their feet, that dresses are not the greatest idea for everyday wear, but are more of an impediment. So do check out some of my other posts for other ideas! This post, though, will include a lot of dresses, since most people don't want to dress boys in dresses, so dresses don't feature on my boy-flavoured posts.
I'll start with the smaller sizes. Some come in multiple sizes, as I'll indicate, but I'll begin with those that start in small sizes. As usual, the larger images are my own of garments I've made myself using these patterns. On occasion I've used an image from someone else's web site (always attributed) but these are smaller images. And just to remind you - there is not much in 0-3 months on this page. Look for my Newborn patterns pages for tiny sizes. (Ignore the 'my ref' numbers - these are my own notes as to where I've stored them.)
From about 3 months old to 6 or 9 months (crawlers):
1. Bettsy Kingston / Habitual has a nice (and easy) Kimono wrap dress in two sizes: 3 months plus and 9 months plus. (My ref: D55)
2. Baby Patterns at Space has a straight kimono dress in 3-6 months. (My ref: D114)
3. See Kate Sew has a nice bodice pattern and tutorial for how to make her Easy Baby Dress - which is supposed to be size 3-6 months. I've shown the picture of this dress when I first made it for my new grand-daughter, on top of a dress (from a different pattern) that I made for her older sister, so you can see what it looks like. However, unfortunately, as Ada was over 8.5lbs when newborn, this was too tiny, even at birth, and I ended up remaking the bodice using another pattern. But with a smaller baby, you would be fine with this pattern. Perhaps add extra seam allowance to be sure. (My ref: D6)
4.And in fact, here's the pattern I re-cut that bodice from, the Summer Breeze dress designed by Shwin and Shwin. It's a slightly different style, and although this is also theoretically in size 3-6 months, I found it a better fit on newborn Ada than the See Kate Sew dress in the same size. (My ref: D9)
5. I'm a big fan of peasant dresses, firstly because they are very easy to sew, and secondly, because you can ensure they fit for a little bit longer by making them in a larger enough size. I've used the Stitching Scientist pattern (aimed at 6-9 months) multiple times, also making it a little bit larger when I needed a 12-15 months version. (You'll find smaller patterns on my newborn posts.) (My ref: D3)
5. I'm a big fan of peasant dresses, firstly because they are very easy to sew, and secondly, because you can ensure they fit for a little bit longer by making them in a larger enough size. I've used the Stitching Scientist pattern (aimed at 6-9 months) multiple times, also making it a little bit larger when I needed a 12-15 months version. (You'll find smaller patterns on my newborn posts.) (My ref: D3)
By the way, the matching knickers on the lower one came from the Dana Perfect Diaper Cover pattern that comes in multiple sizes. I also made matching knickers for the one below.
6. I do like The Craftiness is Not Optional Ice-cream Social dress. This is a tutorial rather than a pattern, but easy to follow. So you could make it in a wide range of sizes. I've made it in a 6 month size, but also in an age 2 years size. (My ref: D8)
7. Craftiness is Not Optional have a free pattern in 6-12 months for the Charlotte dress, and instructions on how to make your own in a different size. Picture below from the CINO website. (See also the Cottage Mama Party dress below.) (My ref: D56)
9. Although there are actually more than one pattern worth looking at from Small Dream Factory, I've combined them here, as they are easy to find on their web site. This link is for the Dutch A line dress. (My version below.) I particularly like their Long Sleeved Dress (3 months and larger sizes), as well as the Dutch A-line dress, and the dress with a Peter Pan collar. (My ref: D63/D17/D19). (I think the envelope neck shirt under this dress was also from Small Dream Factory.)
So - let's move on a bit from dresses. Still staying with the smaller baby sizes, there are several patterns for leggings.
12. First, the leggings to match the Sweet Pea dress, from Leafy Tree Blogspot. Again, these would be a 6-9 month size. (My ref: D15)
13. Some other leggings from a pattern I have used, from Andrea's Notebook, come in 3 sizes 3-6 months. 6-9 months and 9-12 months. If you find the pattern hard to find, try this link. (My ref: P54)
Of the two above leggings patterns, I prefer the Andrea's Notebook, because it has a properly shaped bottom (i.e. the front and back are different). A lot of people seem to think that with knits, you'll have enough stretch that this doesn't matter. However, I still think you get a neater and more comfortable fit over a nappy.
There are several so-called harem pants patterns for babies free, but you won't find my recommending them. That inverted U shape is just a lazy way to make pants or leggings, and it is really no harder to put some shaping into the bottom!
14. Here's a third option, sizes 6 months right up to 14 years, from Made for Mermaids - the Bonny leggings. They also have a longer rise on the back seam. However, these may be a tight fit, I haven't tried them yet. But you can always go up a size if you think they will be too fitted. They are intended for knit with at lest 50% stretch. But the pattern has the advantage of offering different length options. (My ref: P94)
One or two other bits for this age group.
15. A Cross-over apron from Smashed Peas and Carrots. Although the pattern size is theoretically 6-12 months, it is very forgiving, and I've made it for babies from 6 months to almost 18 months by just lengthening a bit. (My ref: A4)
17. A Tiny Tank dress or top from I Candy. I've included it here rather than with the dresses because I think it makes a nice top. (My ref: D141)
18. Or Dana's Baby Tank is pretty. (6-12 months) (My ref: D21)
19. The Tiny Tulip Tee from Patterns for Pirates. This is similar to a pattern I made myself for one of my grand-daughters, but she was older - not a toddler any more. This is the back view of mine. (My ref: D162)
20. One thing I was particularly keen on when my grand-daughters were in this age group was the idea of a little circular skirt either attached to a onesie, or separate but to be worn with a matching onesie. All of these below have a separate circle skirt.
Of course, you could just make your life easier, and use a ready made onesie to which you attach a skirt. Pretty Prudent tells you how to do this with a gathered skirt. I prefer a circle skirt. Dana tells you here how to make a circle skirt. Rather than attaching to the onesies, I made all of these with a slightly larger waist (they were all from woven fabric) but then I made each a little stretchy waistband of the onesie fabric, with elastic threaded through. This gives the flexibility to pair the skirt with a different onesie. And means you don't need a precise measurement for the length of where the waist will sit.
21. Brindille Twig offer some free patterns including this hoodie for 6-9 months +. (My ref: T20)
22. A hooded top from Baby Patterns at Space, 6-12 months. This is a designer from the Netherlands, and all her patterns come on a grid so you could enlarge or reduce a bit. She has only rudimentary instructions, so assumes a degree of knowledge. But I love her patterns. (My ref: SW7)
23. Another baby hoodie comes from See Kate Sew in 6-12 months. (My ref: P72/SW8)
24. A sweet girly romper from Shwin and Shwin in size 6 months. I haven't made this up but it does look cute. (My ref: P69)
25. However, I have made rompers from Dana's Perfect Diaper cover pattern, by just extending the top. And of course, this is a great pattern for making matching knickers to go under a dress. (My ref: P4)
27. Oh Mother Mine DIY have lots of lovely free patterns including this for a baby blouse in several baby sizes. However, I'd say these are not for beginners. This is a Spanish site, but Google Translate can translate for you! The site author is very generous with multiple free patterns, no strings attached. You may have to hunt around on the site (it sometimes takes a little while to load everything). The video instructions are also in Spanish, but it is pretty clear what she is showing you, even without understanding the words. But - the seam allowance is not included, and needs to be added while you are cutting out. So not for everyone.
Finally - skirts. You don't need a pattern for a baby skirt, do you? All you need for a simple gathered skirt are two measurements - waist size and finished length. Multiply the waist measurement by 1.5. And then it's just a rectangle with seam allowance and hems added, gathered into a waistband or onto wide elastic. But if you need more, you'll have to wait for my post on skirts!
What I haven't covered here specifically are things like hats, and bibs, which I consider to be more unisex. However, I have done a whole separate post on baby hats, and one on bibs and aprons. You can also find more pants / trousers/ sleeping bags etc elsewhere. Just do a search on my blog.
For more free girl PDF patterns, for slightly older babies and toddlers, move on to PAGE 2.
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