Childrenswear Fashion Illustrations and TEMPLATES for FASHION DESIGN

I hope using these templates will help YOU start YOUR own business too, so you can have more time with your family or doing whatever it is you truly love to do, so the whole world can benefit from that.  Childrens clothing should be about families!

FRONT AND BACK DESIGN ARTICULATIONS

Don’t only focus on the front!!!!

There is a back, there is a side view, there are necessary openings and closures we need to think about to get in and out of our designs! Having a back view croquis can help us think this through either on the figure, OR on the FLATS.

DON’T FORGET :)!!!

How TO use a Croquis Template for Childrenswear Fashion Illustrations?

Print the templates, then take a piece of copy, sketch, or marker paper, and trace over. Meaning: lay a fresh sheet over the printed figures and sketch outfits onto the bodies.

If the body doesn’t “feel right” for your market , adjust your tracing to make a new template.

If you sketch digitally, screen shot the template and import it into your digital drawing or digital painting app for fashion… or import it into your favorite program.

Then take a “layer” in your digital app over the template so you can sketch your ideas and already have  a consistent figure or “doll” to dress again and again!

OPTION: KEEP THE SILHOUETTE AND PLAY WITH THE DETAILS

Once you’ve sketched out a dress, a shirt, a skirt, and a pant that you love, you really don’t necessarily need the childrenswear fashion Illustrations template any more.  

You can also just work all of your new flats off of the basics you create, and it will still give a uniform proportion and feel to them. THAT’S WHAT I DID ABOVE

I used gouache and pencils to develp this group of fashion design sketches in my sketchbook to create my first childrenswear collection.

INSPIRATION BOARD

This is from a project I did as a student at Parsons.

FREEHAND CROQUIS: Fashion design development sketches

I always recommend that you sketch more looks than you need for a design project. This gives you freedom to get into the flow of ideas, go with that flow and then edit from the full group of sketches.

It’s nice to spread out, and then have options!

Fabric (and trims) Board

include any buttons, zippers, elastics, as well as base fabrics, prints, and (as here) decorative ribbon used as a decorative youthful, energizing trim for my designs.

When I freelanced as a sketcher at the Chlldren’s Place many years ago, I loved my job, which was to sketch piles of sample garments  shopped from prominent boutiques in Europe. I sketched piles of beautiful girl’s clothes into detailed flats, front and back, for the design team.

I love that kind of work, sitting in a corner with a pile of beautiful things to draw. That’s my happy place.

CATCHING THE SPIRIT OF FASHION GARMENTS

To me, every garment has a personality, a life to it, and capturing that spirit in a drawing is totally thrilling, and in-spirit.

I’ve noticed since then as a mom that their clothes aren’t throwaway clothes, They’re made to last a long, long time, and that is a step toward sustainability.  

QUALITY AND DURABILITY FOR CHILDRENSWEAR FASHIONS

In fact, there is a used clothing store for children in my area, and their racks are stuffed with garments from the Children’s Place, because they don’t wear out!  Clothes that wear and wear and wear are truly well DESIGNED!

Here, some childrenswear fashion illustrations for girls

 MY FIRST CHILDRENSWEAR JOB

In fact,  first Full Time job was at Old Navy, designing in childrenswear and newborn, in NYC the same year that they opened their flagship store.

My work hours were so over -the-top. So,…

That’s when I left New York, moved to Connecticut, set up a Bridal and custom garment studio, did alterations, and made piles of African Print garments, my passion.

TEACHING BEGINS

One year later I started teaching at Parsons School of Design in the BFA Fashion Design programs. I first taught Draping, Patternmaking and Sewing to sophomores (such as Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCoullough, founders of Proenza Schouler.)  

Teaching one 6 hour sophomore draping/patternmaking/construction studio was just enough to cover my “2 bedroom” apartment in Washington Heights that I shared with my then husband who was studying English.

TAKE THE A TRAIN

 The A train took me straight to Parsons and back.  All of the other days of the week were mine, for Fashion Design freelancing, research, singing in a Charanga Band and a Gospel choir, making clothes, building a life outside, around, and in conjunction with work.  

FREELANCE and ADJUNCT vs FULL TIME DESIGN WORK

I appreciated that so much because my first FULL TIME job designing for a mass big-name label had me working around the clock 7 days with no control over my schedule. It was awful. I learned that nobody can pay you enough for your days off.  A day off is worth millions, isn’t it? Especially if you can’t access  even one.  

I’ve listened to young designers begging for vacation days after working at a company for a year while their boss holds a calculator and says “oh, no you don’t….”

 I feel like as long as we are that hard on ourselves, how humane can our business practices and production be? #ethicalfashion #fashionrevolution

FASHION DESIGN RESEARCH AND INSPIRATIONS

Speaking of inspiration, in my book (released just DAYS ago) the Language of Fashion Design, I featured (and discovered) a wonderful children swear designer named Bonnie Young.  Learn more about her, as well as her philanthropic work with children!

FASHION DESIGN CAREERS

Let me know if this is helpful with your childrenswear fashion illustrations and design process or if you have any questions.  Make sure to share this page and subscribe to my blog and newsletter!

In my intensive online program I will carry you through a university-standard complete course of model drawing, art and design techniques, with the goal to create your FASHION PORTFOLIO!!

We’ll and refine and design your vision, aesthetic, message, methods, and confidence in your sketching, designing, and fashion illustrating abilities.

 My fashion online design program  SOULFUL  FASHION FOUNDATION IMMERSION delivers everything to your inbox week -by-week, with passion and enthusiasm to carry you over the bumps.

Thanks for visiting!!
love,
Laura