What Fabric for Baby Clothes?

The core four

• Cotton interlock — the bodysuit-and-sleeper standard: thick enough to be opaque and calm to sew, soft both sides, no curling edges.
• Cotton jersey — lighter tees and summer pieces.
• Pointelle — the delicate openwork knit of heirloom baby sets; breathable and sweet.
• Cotton rib — neckbands and cuffs that stretch over heads and wrists without fighting.

Supporting cast: fleece and sherpa for outerwear and pram blankets, waffle for thermal layers and blankets, flannel for swaddles.

What to avoid

Scratchy metallics and stiff synthetics against skin; loose weaves that catch tiny fingers; anything with a long loose pile on newborn items; and drawstrings near the neck as a construction rule. For sleepwear specifically, US safety rules favor snug-fitting cotton — the fitted-pajama norm exists for a reason (details in the pajama guide).

The wash reality

Baby clothes are washed more, hotter and with harsher stains than anything else you will sew. Pre-wash yardage HOT twice before cutting; cotton knits shrink most on the first pass and baby sizes have no ease to spare. A certified-safe dye standard (OEKO-TEX is the common label) is worth looking for when buying fabric for newborns.

Sewing for babies

Small pieces sew fast — a bodysuit is an hour — and knits forgive. Ballpoint needle, stretch stitch, rib or binding at every opening, and snaps rated for fabric weight. Flat seams matter more than usual: a baby lies on every seam you sew.