Children’s coat patterns

Children’s coat pattern: choosing the right design before you start sewing

A coat that’s too tight across the shoulders for an 8-year-old, a lining that puckers after three washes, a hood too small to fit over a hat: these problems almost always stem from the pattern, not the seamstress. This selection brings together patterns designed specifically for children, with instructions that take into account the practical constraints of this type of project. Sewing a child’s coat remains one of the most rewarding sewing projects, but also one of the most practical.

Which children’s coat pattern for which season and which fabric?

The question of fabric weight takes precedence over that of the design. A pattern designed for mid-season woollen fabric (180 to 250 g/m²) will produce a poor result when used with a thick woollen cloth weighing 500 g/m²: the seams will fall differently, the buttonholes will behave differently, and the collar angles won’t hold their shape. Always check the fabric recommendations before buying the pattern.

For lined children’s winter coats, designs that feature a lining slipped into the collar and facings — rather than a lining turned up from the bottom — are easier to make neatly, even at an intermediate level. For mid-season wear, short parkas made from coated cotton or polyester/cotton twill (approx. 240 g/m²) hold their shape well without a thick lining, which simplifies the construction considerably.

Lined children’s coat pattern: what level of sewing skill is really required?

Don’t be misled by the ‘beginner’ labels on some coat patterns. A lined coat with a hood requires mastery of notched seams on curves, collar/hood assembly, and fitting a neat button placket. Allow 8 to 12 hours’ work for your first lined coat in size 4 years. Patterns from Klafoutis and Atelier Adriette are regularly cited for the clarity of their instructions on precisely these steps. To get started with a simple, unlined coat, thick fleece patterns (such as Sherpa or 300 g/m² fleece) are much more accessible: no lining, simple turned-up hems, and good structure.

How to choose a PDF children’s coat pattern: the technical criteria

Several factors distinguish a reliable pattern from a frustrating one. Firstly, the size range: the best PDF children’s coat patterns cover 10 to 12 sizes (from 12 months to 12 years) by layering the patterns, and allow you to trace between two sizes for a child who doesn’t fit standard sizes — a child who is a size 6 at the bottom but an 8 at the top, which is quite common. Next, the seam allowance: 1 cm or 1.5 cm depending on the pattern – these are not interchangeable. Some patterns include the seam allowances in the pieces, others do not. Read the instructions before printing.

• A4 PDF format for printing: check that the pattern includes a scale bar (a 5 cm square to check after printing) — incorrect printer settings will shift all the measurements.
• A0 format or printable: more practical for larger sizes (from 8–10 years and up), avoids having to assemble A4 sheets, which takes 30 to 45 minutes for a coat with lots of pieces.

Children’s coat pattern with hood: the trickiest part of the construction

The hood is the number one weak point in homemade children’s coats. Two recurring problems: a hood that is too short in depth (the child cannot pull it up without it pulling on the collar) and a collar-hood seam that forms a bulge. Patterns that separate the centre front of the hood from the side panels — rather than a hood made from two symmetrical pieces — generally give a better shape and more volume to cover a hat. For a child aged 4 to 6, a hood depth of 28 to 32 cm is a realistic figure to check on the technical specifications before buying.

Fabrics and measurements: what the technical specifications don’t always tell you

Felted wool weighing between 400 and 600 g/m² is the easiest to sew for a children’s winter coat: it does not fray, which eliminates the need to overlock all the seams. Traditional wool cloth is more technically demanding but more breathable. For a mid-season coat, cotton gabardine or polyester/cotton twill withstands frequent washing well (children’s coats are washed on average every two weeks during term time). For a child wearing a size 6, allow 1.2 to 1.5 m of fabric with a width of 150 cm for the main fabric, plus 1 m to 1.2 m for the lining if the pattern calls for one.

A standard sewing machine with a size 90 to 110 needle (depending on the thickness) and a Teflon foot or a roller foot for thick fabrics will suffice. Reduce the speed when sewing multiple layers: collar + lining + outer fabric – this can sometimes amount to 6 to 8 layers under the presser foot.

Completing the hand-sewn wardrobe

A hand-sewn coat really comes into its own when coordinated with the rest of the outfit. Children’s trouser patterns in wool or corduroy pair naturally with winter coats. For the autumn-spring transition, children’s sweatshirts made from lightweight fleece, worn under a mid-season coat, provide a practical base. Children’s jacket patterns are a useful alternative when the temperatures aren’t cold enough to warrant a full coat. For the little ones, you’ll find patterns suitable for babies in the newborn patterns, with simplified construction for sizes 0–6 months.

You’ll also find designers in the selection such as Le Papa de Jojo, whose patterns are renowned for their comprehensive size ranges (0 months to 14 years for some designs), or Lilikou, who regularly offers coats with construction methods suited to standard domestic sewing machines. If you’d like to try out some designs for free before investing in a paid pattern, the free PDF patterns allow you to test a particular construction method with no obligation.

• Women’s PDF Patterns
• Women’s Blouses
• Women’s Jumpsuits
• Women’s Skirts
• Lingerie
• Women’s Coats
• Women’s Trousers
• Women’s Pyjama Patterns
• Jumpsuits/Dungarees
• Women’s Dresses
• Underwear
• Women’s Sweatshirts
• Tops / Women’s T-Shirts
• Women’s Jackets
• Women’s Accessories
• Free PDF Patterns
• Children’s PDF Patterns
• Newborn
• Children’s Blouses
• Children’s Skirts
• Children’s Trousers
• Children’s Pyjamas
• Children’s Coats
• Children’s Dresses
• Children’s Sweatshirts
• Children’s T-shirts
• Children’s Jackets
• Children’s Accessories
• Fancy Dress
• Men’s PDF Patterns
• Men’s Coats
• Men’s Sweatshirts
• Men’s T-shirts
• Men’s Accessories
• Atelier Adriette
• Capacha
• Comme une Fleur
• Fée Main Patterns
• Fitiyoo
• Instinct Couture
• Kandix
• Klafoutis
• Lab Zéro
• Le Papa de Jojo
• Les Patronnes
• Lilikou
• Loumajinne Créations
• Mango and Chocolate
• Maya Patterns
• Miss Cactus
• Moi Je Couds
• Vestiaire Éponyme
• Submit your designs