How to Make Children's Suspenders

Children are wigglers and wrigglers, there's no doubt about it. In the absence of hips and belts to keep fabric in place at the waist, there's a good chance that his pants are going to fall off at some point in the rigors of running, tumbling, playing and climbing. Suspenders are a simple solution to juvenile wardobe malfunctions. They are easy enough to create and attach, that the project can be done in less than an hour.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Measuring tape
• Scissors
• Elastic fabric (2 inches wide)
• Straight pins
• Needle
• Thread
• Heavy-duty snaps
• Sewing machine (optional)

1. Measure how much elastic fabric will be needed. Place the end of the tape just behind his left hip. Bring it across the back, over the right shoulder and down the right side of the chest to just in front of the right hip. Add 4 inches to this measurement. Cut two equal strips of elastic fabric.

2. Have her put on the pair of pants that need the suspenders. Tuck 2 inches of the left suspender inside the back waistband with straight pins. Bring the fabric across the back, over the right shoulder and tuck 2 inches of the end of the fabric inside the front waistband. Secure with straight pins. Repeat for the right suspender. The effect will be an "X" in the back and straight suspenders in the front. Remove the pants to start sewing.

3. Attach the two back pieces of the suspenders to the pants. This can either be done with a sewing machine or with hand stitching. Don't worry about a hem, because the ragged edge will be inside the pants. Remove the straight pins.

4. Affix heavy-duty snaps to the front suspenders and the interior waistband of the front of the pants. Again, the ragged edge won't to be visible. Remove the straight pins.

Tips & Warnings

• These same construction principles can be applied when using fabrics such as cotton or velvet. Use a sewing machine to add add decorative stitching. Accomplished seamstresses or tailors can make buttonholes and sew on large buttons instead of snaps. This also depends on the allotted time for the project and whether the clothes will be used for play or dress-up.
• For a funky look to suspenders, consider using discarded neckties.
• If the suspenders will be used on different pairs of pants, attach the back two ends with snaps instead of sewing them.
• If he isn'trambunctious at play or if the suspenders are for cute photo opportunities, consider using hook-and-loop fastening strips instead of snaps.
• Use heavy-duty thread that can stand up to lots of rough-and-tumble play.

References

• "Sew Everything Workshop"; Diana Rupp; 2007
• "Making Kids' Clothes: Easy to Follow Projects"; Fransie Snyman; 2001
• "Sew with Confidence: A Beginner's Guide to Basic Sewing"; Nancy Zieman; 2004

Resources

• Sewing for Children