A traditional layette for a new baby should contain clothing items the newborn will need during their first few months. Purchased layettes can be expensive and often contain items like rattlers and teethers that while charming may see little use. Why not sew a personalized selection of essential newborn baby clothing items?

Basic Newborn Layette Suggestions:

Long-sleeved Gowns
Footed Sleepers
Onesies and Leggings
Caps and Booties
Burp Cloths
Receiving Blankets
Hooded Towels
Warm Knit or Fleece blanket
Coming home outfit

Fabrics to select for a newborn’s layette are soft, cuddly cotton flannel or flannelette for gowns and sleepers, lightweight fleeces and cotton chenille or Minky fabric for blanket warmth; organic cotton or bamboo knits for t-shirts and onesies that address hypo-allergenic concerns, terry cloth for towels and burp cloths.

Noteworthy sewing attentions:

• Always pre-wash fabric to be used for baby to remove any possible allergens or chemicals in the fabric.


• Select fabrics for their absorbency and comfort.


• Garments seams should be sewn so that the inside is as smooth and soft as on the outside.


• Keep embellishments like smocking, embroidery or lace additions to a minimum.


• Any closures like snaps must be securely applied and able to withstand several launderings.


• Best to avoid buttons or drawstrings when sewing garments for baby.


• Consider organically grown fibers for textiles containing bamboo, hemp, organic cotton, soy, or linen.


• Threads too can be chosen from organic fibers.


• Newborn size clothing is relatively small so it may be a welcome idea to include garments size 0-3 or 3-6 months as well.


• Sew with practicality in mind as well as softness and comfort.


• Fabrics and trims should meet any flammability standards.

Simplicity, McCall’s, Butterick, Vogue and many more sewing pattern companies have a wide selection of layette patterns to choose from. There are also many free infant sewing patterns to be found online. Whether vintage, traditional, or contemporary layette sewing patterns are used, all will contain the very same basics – gowns, sleepers, receiving blankets and much more.

Handmade baby clothes are truly sewing from the heart. It shows the thought and caring that goes into making one-of-a-kind cuddle-soft clothing and accessories in anticipation of the arrival of a precious little one.

Baby Sewing Projects found on AllFreeSewing.com

Sew happy, sew inspired.