Sewing for babies in the SCA - some hints

By Maggie Forest

Sewing garb for babies and young children can be a challenge, but a very tempting one. All those sumptuous things you can't afford to make for yourself, or aren't sure about - here's your very own little mini-model! But for the sake of your sanity and that of your baby, there are some things I have learned the hard way. As my little girl grows older, and I have more experience, I will add more tips to this page.

• Make layers of garments in natural fabric. Temperatures vary, and babies get cold or overheat really easily.
• When the babies find their feet, make the garments long - longer than you would normally think. Otherwise, put tights on the baby underneath.
• Remember - babies past the age of four months will put everything they can reach into their mouths. Secure all trim very tightly. Don't use things they can pull off - spangles are right out.
• Make nothing out of fabric that can't handle lots of baby spittle - or be prepared for the baby to eat the pile off the velvet. It won't hurt them, but the garment will never be the same again.
• Make hats. Ear infections are Not Fun (says a mum who hasn't slept in three nights) In summer, heat stroke in babies is even Less Fun.
• Remember that the garb you make will likely only ever be worn once by each baby. They grow incredibly fast.
• Following on to that; don't make garb for an event that's three weeks away and expect it to fit. Either make it too big, or wait until the last minute.
• Babies like moving their limbs. Make the armholes wide.
• Babies' heads are proportionally much larger than an adult's. They don't like having their noses squished when you get them dressed or undressed.  Make neck openings either extra wide or make a keyhole neck.  Don't give hoods that indentation around the neck, and make sure that the head fits through there.
• Brooches are not safe from a baby that loves to pick things apart (this little one is going to be an engineer!). Use ties or buttons/toggles to close things with.

Some garments

Mid-14th Century kirtle

Elizabethan gown

14th Century outfit, in the household livery