growing up

making handmade
clothes & projects for
your creative child

ee
Meg McElw
sew liberated

growing up 1
 for nature
connection,
we use only one
golden rule:
notice everything.
—Evan McGown,
Coyote’s Guide to
Connecting with Nature

sew liberated

growing up 2
 scavenger hunt bag
Every budding naturalist needs proper gear—a ­sun hat, perhaps a pair of child-sized binoculars, and a
bag in which to gather specimens from the field for observation and display on the family nature table. The
Naturalist’s Scavenger Hunt Bag provides a comfortable, child-friendly way to store found objects, as it is
fastener-free and adjustable. Attach a set of scavenger hunt cards to the grommet on the strap and fill up
the pocket with mini clothespins. Once the child finds one of the objects in his set, show him how to mark it
as “found” with a mini clothespin.

Fabric + Materials Coordinating sewing Tools

All fabrics should be at thread Scavenger Hunt
least 42" (106.5 cm) wide Swedish tracing paper or Bag pattern
5
⁄8 yd (57 cm) medium- to other pattern paper 5¼" (13.5 cm) length of
heavy-weight cotton for 1 extra large eyelet ¾” (2 cm) wide Velcro
lining and trim (Main; (7⁄16" [1.1 cm]) and eyelet (recommended: adhe-
shown: circle and ladybug installation tool (can usu- sive-backed Velcro)
print) ally be bought together Hammer for applying
⁄8 yd (57 cm) medium- to
5 as a kit; see Notes) eyelet
heavy-weight cotton for 3" (7.5 cm) length of
shell (Contrast; shown: ½" (1.3 cm) wide coordi-
brown) nating grosgrain ribbon
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growing up 3
growing up
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4
 reversible
play cape
Donning the Play Cape, a child transforms into Little Red Riding Hood, a member of the
royal court, or a butterfly. The limits for its uses are only in the imagination of the child.
Because it’s reversible, it’s even more versatile in a child’s play. The elastic loop-and-
button closure makes it easy to put on and take off, even for very young children. Hang it
from a peg on the wall for effortless storage.

Fabric + Materials Swedish tracing paper or Notes

All fabrics should be at
least 56" (142 cm) wide
1¾ yd (1.6 m) woven cot-
ton, silk, or silk/hemp
blend fabric for shell
1¾ yd (1.6 m) woven cot-
ton, silk, or silk/hemp
blend for lining (Contrast)
Coordinating sewing
thread
other pattern paper ½" (1.3 cm) seam allow-
Thin elastic cord or “no ances are used unless
metal” hair elastic cut in otherwise noted.
half Remember to wash, dry,
Large button (shown: and press fabrics before
round wooden) beginning.
Tools
Play Cape pattern
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growing up 5
 Embroidered
Placemat

baby bubble pants

plant care apron

Dress Up Bucket
 art satchel

Laundry Day
Embroidered
Apron

Little Amigo
sew liberated

Doll and Little

Amigo Papoose

growing up 7
 Introduction
Bringing Handmade Beauty
into your Child’s Every Day
Greeting the Morning
& Getting Dressed
The Peaceful Morning Routine

Thoughts on Children’s Clothing:
Fostering Comfort, Movement
& Independence
* Envelope Shirts for All
* Heartwarming Baby Sweatshirt
* Baby Bubble Pants
* Crossover Shirt
* Pocket Pants
Bread Sharing & Homemaking
Learning through Everyday Tasks:
Mindfulness in Homemaking
& Child Development
* Baby’s Ring Sling
* All By Myself Bib
* Embroidered Placemat
* Basic Apron
—Laundry Day Embroidered Apron
—Plant Care Apron
& Watering Indicators
Inside Play
Play is Work, Work is Play
* Little Amigo Cloth Doll
—Little Amigo Overalls, Shirt, Dress,
Bring joy, creativity & learning and Shoes
* Dress Up Bucket

to your sewing with fabulous * Reversible Hooded Play Cape

* Irresistible Numbers

kid-friendly projects Outside Play

Nature As Teacher
* Little Amigo Doll Papoose
Meg McElwee puts her signature sewing style into gorgeous children’s clothes and * Art Satchel
creative activity-focused designs. From simple clothing to toys, Growing Up Sew * Scavenger Hunt Bag
Liberated is packed with innovative, playful sewing patterns. Follow the structure of * Hideaway Play Tent
a child’s day with projects including:
Good Night, Sleep Tight
• Getting up and getting dressed: comfortable clothing patterns such as Winding Down and Tucking In:
T-shirts, sweatshirts, and pocket pants. Ideas for Easing the Journey
to Dreamland
• Homemaking and bread-sharing: projects for engaging children in cleaning, * Infant Sleep Sack
laundry, helping, and for in the kitchen, such as aprons, bibs, and placements. * Sleeping Johns (& Everyday Leggings)
• Playtime: indoor and outdoor activities are celebrated with dolls, a cape, a * Kitty Lovey
satchel, and a tent. Techniques & Tips
• Bedtime: snuggle in for a night in cozy pj’s and a sleep sack. * Working with Knit Fabrics
* Basic Embroidery Stitches
Meg adds in suggestions for projects and adventures for kids and adults to explore Glossary
together and tasks that children can accomplish on their own.
Resources
Including a techniques section, how-to photos, extra tips and tricks, and a bonus
full-size pattern section, Growing Up Sew Liberated collects designs, activities, and Paperback + pattern insert
ideas that are perfect for adding creativity into the daily life of sewists, children,
8½ × 10¼, 160 pages
and families.
ISBN 978-1-59668-162-0
An internationally certified Montessori teacher, Meg McElwee is a successful $24.95
sewing pattern designer and the author of the Sew Liberated crafting blog, where Available May 2011
she offers sewing tutorials and writes about sewing and other handmade projects.
She is also the author of Sew Liberated: 20 Stylish Projects for the Modern Sewist.
Meg lives in the mountains of California with her husband and two children.