tiny happy

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‘tiny happy’ was a journal of my handmade life from 2006-2025.

for the boy

Boy 2

Boy 5

Boy 3 

Boy 1 

My son Arlo is a quiet boy who likes reading and playing with lego. Yet still all his corduroy pants and jeans seem to wear out in the knees before he's grown out of them. Maybe it's all that kneeling, sorting through little lego bits to make an amazing spaceship or jet. And i'm lucky, because he still likes to wear things that I sew for him, so lately I've been making him new pairs of pants. I've been using the same simple pattern since he was about one year old, just lengthening the legs and adjusting the width a little each year. The trousers above are made from sturdy black denim, with two patch pockets on the front. And the blue corduroy pair are for when the weather gets much colder: they've got lined pockets and knee patches (I might have gotten a little carried away), and I daresay he might have trouble wearing a hole in those!

Hopefully, I'll be able to keep making him clothes for a while yet. When do you think elastic waistbands become unacceptable for boys? I can't believe he will be seven soon. I have to admit that i hate most of the chain-store kid's clothes that are for sale here in NZ- everything seems to be blinged up with words and numbers and random slogans.

There are lots of amazing boys' clothes patterns and ideas here at dana made it.

And more inspiration here at elsie marley's kid's clothes week challenge. Happy sewing!

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17 responses to “for the boy”

  1. Stephanie Avatar
    Stephanie

    Yay for home-made boys clothes! I like those pants. I’ve signed up for the kids clothing challenge at Elsie Marley. Really looking forward to it. Will be trying to adapt some old sweaters into vests for my boys using the tutorial at Dana Made It.

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  2. Jennie Avatar
    Jennie

    I agree about the kids clothes over here.
    Luckily we still have some clothes we bought over from the UK, i’m dreading when the children grow out of them though! The quality seems better there too…

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  3. domesticali Avatar
    domesticali

    My almost – ten year old treats all pants as if they have elastic waists, so I’d guess you’re safe for a while yet!

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  4. Rattling On Avatar
    Rattling On

    Have you seen the site Made By Rae? She had a wonderful event recently http://www.made-by-rae.com/search/label/CELEBRATE%20THE%20BOY and there are dozens of links to patterns for boys (maybe a lot are too young).
    I think most boys don’t worry how theit trousers are held up- and it’s comfier to have elastic than a belt.

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  5. louana Avatar
    louana

    It annoys me too that all the clothes seem to have things written all over them. I’m dreading when the kids don’t want to wear what I make for them. Love Arlo’s bike! I had one similar as a child with that rack on the back. Love the pants too, and yay for elastic waists long may they last!

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  6. suse Avatar
    suse

    I managed to keep my eldest boy in elastic waist pants until he was about 12. The younger two, not so long! They saw their brother with real jeans or other pants with flies and buttons and waistbands (and even a belt! shock horror!) and that was it. Over red rover.

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  7. laurel Avatar
    laurel

    the selection and quality of boys clothes in particular in nz is appalling. opshopping often yields better in the form of european styles! never ceases to amaze me how the simpler (and much more elegant/beautiful/classic in my opinion) clothing is out in favor of 10 washes and they’re completely dead foreign made junk that costs a fortune. i’m so sick of bad slogans/eyesore ‘graffiti’ and heinous colored monstrosities sold as boys clothes. so often there’s not even remotely interesting things available for boys anyway. now, if you could just find the time to be a personal tailor to our 2 boys until my sewing skills are up to par…

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  8. annri Avatar
    annri

    Great pants! When our boy was about 7, he rejected blue jeans with snap & zip because he thought them too hard and unflexible. Elastic-waist pants ruled until about 13. He’s 15 now, and he likes blue jeans again and the flannel pj pants which I sew for him. 🙂

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  9. Lovely World Avatar
    Lovely World

    While I don’t make my 6-year-old son’s clothes, I do buy him simple, hopefully well-made clothes. He, too, magically wears holes in the knees. What is that all about? In terms of elastic waists, I think they are okay. My son is so slim that often times the button/zip pants fall down. He needs that elastic! I hate clothes with words and images all about – especially since they are most usually advertising something, or rude in content. I don’t need my children to be walking billboards. (And don’t get me started about girl’s clothes that make them look like hookers). I have had good luck with orders from Mini Boden, Hanna Andersen, Lands End, and LL Bean – especially when you can find sales. Also, our local school has a twice a year gently used clothes sale – a wonderful way to get new things cheaply and recycle.

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  10. Amy Avatar
    Amy

    I know there are lots of complaints about boys clothes out there, but I LOVE these extra durable pants for my girl who only wants elastic wastes (she’s 4 1/2) and plays pretty hard. The only clothes I can find are dresses or inappropriate clothes to play in. I would love to make these for her and her younger sister.

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  11. povertyjane Avatar
    povertyjane

    haha! get used to blown out knees mama! I have 5 boys and ALL of them did it! It would drive me crazy that as soon as I made or repaired a pair of pants, a week later another blow out! and..it was always one knee, preferably the right one. and I agree, its kneeling down, playing, exploring..you’ll miss this one day M!

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  12. Beryl Avatar
    Beryl

    I think you’re safe for a long time regarding elastic waists as boys are so lazy………..
    Enjoy it while it lasts!

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  13. Sally Avatar
    Sally

    I agree, my eight year old does not care at all. He however only wants to wear shorts all year!
    Honestly he just wears the top thing in his drawer and that is how much thought he gives it.
    I am not a very good sewer and only up to repair work, but can find basic boys pants and get hand knitted jerseys from Nana. T-shirts are often over patterned I agree. We don’t buy many clothes and I get what we do have from all over the place. I try not to buy at op shops for the kids clothes though only for me or the house because I like to leave anything for someone who really needs them and who has no more options. Maybe that is silly as I am all for recycling.

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  14. Julia Avatar
    Julia

    Hello, I love your blog and your work. This is the first time I have commented. My son is 12 and a half and he LOVES his mummy made elastic waist pants. I make them as long shorts and all sorts of patterns.

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  15. bridget Avatar
    bridget

    i think elastic waists for as long as possible! freddie is 5 1/2 and always chooses those ones first from the drawer… his two faves have been slightly fleecy tartan ones, i gathered them slightly at the the ankle with elastic ( perfect for keeping in wellie boots!)
    why oh why do shops insist on belts and buttons for kids… i just don’t know.
    bridget

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  16. Vintage Simple Avatar
    Vintage Simple

    Oh, I wish I were handy like you and could saw pants and clothes for Noah..! So much more meaningful, beautiful, and cheaper I’m sure than what you find at stores. (Plus, I buy Noah 100% cotton clothes, mostly organic, because he has eczema.)
    Noah also seems to destroy his clothes faster than he outgrows them – and I think he’ll wear elastic bands well into adulthood..! 🙂 He refuses to wear anything but, in fact. So, I think you’ll be able to get away with it for a few more years, I’m sure!
    xoox,
    -maria

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  17. julie Avatar
    julie

    Believe it or not, my son used to wear my home made pants even when he was in his late teens. He was a roller blader who needed baggy pants and he was part of the techno music set where they had patches, luminous tape and baggy design. I hope your son will keep appreciating his maker mother. It’s very difficult in the world of brand names when they get to teenage years… and the clothes are all so expensive.

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