All measurements are in inches and all weights are in pounds. Given we’re a US-based magazine, we use Imperial measurements. If you want to convert them to metric:
Sleeve length is a body measurement. Finished pattern measurement for sleeve length will be impacted by sleeve cap height. It is likely that your finished sleeve length will be shorter than the body measurement below. Please keep that in mind as you grade your finished pattern.
Please note that babies grow at varying rates and this is just a guide. We’re sure you can find babies much bigger or much smaller than what’s stated below.
Infant Measurements Sizes Preemie to 18 months
This is a good reference if you’re grading a pattern for a variety of sizes.
| Pr | 0-3 mos | 3-6 mos | 6-9 mos | 9-12 mos | 12-18 mos | 18 mos | |
| Height | 19 | 23 | 23-25 | 25-27 | 27-29 | 29-31 | 31-33 |
| Weight | up to 7 | 8-12 | 17-21 | 12-21 | 20-23 | 22-26 | 26-30 |
| Chest | 13 | 16.5 | 17.25 | 17.75 | 18.25 | 19 | 20 |
| Hip | 13.5 | 17 | 17.75 | 18.25 | 18.75 | 19.5 | 20.5 |
| Back Length | 4.75 | 6 | 6.25 | 6.75 | 7.25 | 7.5 | 8 |
| Shoulder to Shoulder | 5.25 | 6.75 | 7.25 | 7.75 | 8 | 8.25 | 8.5 |
| Neck | 2.25 | 2.75 | 3 | 3.25 | 3.25 | 3.25 | 3.25 |
| Shoulder | 1.5 | 2 | 2 | 2.25 | 2.25 | 2.5 | 2.5 |
| Sleeve Length | 5.25 | 6 | 6.25 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 |
| Armhole Depth | 2.75 | 3.25 | 3.25 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.75 | 4 |
| Wrist | 4.5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5.25 | 5.25 | 5.25 |
| Head | 12 | 13.5 | 15.5 | 16.75 | 18 | 18.5 | 18.75 |
| Inseam | 5.5 | 6.75 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.75 | 10 | 11.25 |
The above is a good guide – but it doesn’t replace the measurements of a single infant. If you have access to those measurements, please use those instead. They’ll surely differ from the above table.
Design Ideas and What Parents Want From Baby Clothing
Here are a few articles that are good to read to get information on what parents are looking for in their child’s garments. This is also a great way to generate some ideas for both designing and promoting your pattern!
Note that we frequently update this list!
- From The Bump – What New Mom’s Should Own for their Baby
- From Soda City Sewing – What Size Baby Clothes to get for a Gift
- From Parents Magazine – The Best Baby Socks
Child Measurements Sizes 2T – 10
To a lesser extent, what we said for babies can apply to children too. The below measurements are to be used as a guide.
Design Ideas and What Parents Want
Here are a few articles that are good to read to get information on what parents are looking for in their child’s garments. Note that we frequently update this list!
- From Quora – What parents look for when buying their children’s clothes.
- From Sourcing Journal – Parents will Pay More for Unique Clothing
- From Very Well Family – A Back-to-School List
If you’re targeting a specific child and you have those measurements – please use those instead. This is also a good reference if you’re grading a pattern for a variety of sizes.
| 2T | 3T | 4T | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 10 | |
| Height | 33-36 | 36-39 | 39-42 | 42-45 | 45-48 | 48-51 | 51-54 | 54-57 |
| Weight | 29-32 | 21-33 | 35-41 | 41-46 | 45-50 | 51-56 | 57-64 | 65-72 |
| Chest | 21 | 21.75 | 23 | 23.75 | 25 | 25.75 | 26.75 | 28.25 |
| Hip | 21.5 | 22.25 | 23.25 | 24.25 | 24.25 | 26.25 | 27.25 | 29.75 |
| Back Length | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11.5 | 12.5 | 14 |
| Shoulder to Shoulder | 9 | 9.25 | 9.5 | 9.75 | 10.25 | 10.5 | 10.75 | 11.25 |
| Neck | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.75 | 3.75 |
| Shoulder | 2.75 | 2.75 | 3 | 3 | 3.25 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.75 |
| Sleeve Length | 8.5 | 9.5 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13.5 |
| Armhole Depth | 4.25 | 4.75 | 5.25 | 5.5 | 6 | 6 | 6.25 | 6.5 |
| Wrist | 5.25 | 5.25 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.75 | 5.75 | 6 |
| Head | 19 | 19.25 | 19.5 | 19.75 | 19.75 | 20 | 20 | 20.5 |
| Inseam | 12.5 | 13.75 | 15.5 | 17.25 | 19 | 20.75 | 22.5 | 24.25 |
The above is a good guide – but it doesn’t replace the measurements of a single child.
If you have access to those measurements, please use those instead. They’ll surely differ from the above table.
And most importantly – remember these measurements are just averages and every child grows at a different rate.
If you’re grading a pattern for a variety of sizes, the above can be a good guide. But remember, if you have access to the child – or even to one of their pieces of clothing – all the better!
If you’re trying to make a garment for a specific child, knowing their size and a couple measurements will be quite helpful. For example, we’ve all known a child who’s very tall, or a child who’s a bit more husky. Those differences are quite normal, but they’re not accounted for in the above measurements.
Ideas for Extending Wear Time
In any case, adding a way to extend the wearing time is a great idea. Children tend to grow in spurts, and their height and arm length will often increase more quickly.
Making the body longer than what they need now can be a successful option, as can longer sleeves that could be folded up at first (even work in a tab and a button so it’s part of the garment itself.
