Last year, I decided I was going to design my own range of kids clothing patterns. Just a small range to begin with; some harem trousers, hooded dresses, funky dungarees. In order to create the patterns I needed a set of pattern blocks ( known as slopers in US). I could have created the pattern blocks myself from various measurement charts I could find online, but in all honesty, I was feeling lazy. So first, I tried to find some ready made children’s trouser blocks.

I found one set.

They were not cheap.

Nor did they come as a digital download, so I couldn’t use them to create my patterns in Illustrator, I’d have to do them all by hand. I prefer to be able to work on my laptop. Especially so now that I currently don’t have a studio for working in (another casualty of the flooded house).

What I wanted just didn’t exist. I was going to need a full set of childrenswear blocks, in digital format, with the ability to print out at home if I wanted to. I emailed places, I tweeted, I spoke to various people. No luck. There was nothing for it. I was going to just have to spend the time doing it myself.

I started my creations with a flat two-piece trouser block for newborn to age 2. It took a lot of work, but I think it’s been worth it because I now have exactly what I need to do some baby harem trousers.

And I have decided to put the pattern block up for sale, so that anyone like me, who wants to create some patterns but perhaps would like to skip the blocking stage, can!

This first set of blocks I have created are available on ebay for £9.99 (a lot cheaper than the printed only versions out there). You will be sent a link to download the PDF within 24 hours of purchasing. As long as you have the latest version of Adobe Reader (available for free here), then you will be able to print at home on any A4 printer and piece together. You can even choose which size option to print if you don’t need to print them all, making it easier to trace off from. Those wanting to use programmes such as Illustrator to create digital patterns can do so from the PDF.

I am now working on a two-piece trouser block for ages 3 to 14, which should be available next week. More will follow! Please let me know in the comments if there are any particular blocks you would like to get your hands on.

Happy drafting!