Maya Button-Front School Smock
One of our most-requested back-to-school tutorials: learn how to make a button-front school smock, with a pattern included for ages 1 through 7.
Project preview
This video is for members
Join Lulu Ferris to watch the complete class and sew along at your own pace.
What you’ll make
Sew the Maya school smock, a button-front style with yokes, long sleeves, elastic cuffs, and patch pockets. The opening lets children practice fastening and dressing themselves.
Gathered front sections and an inverted back pleat add fullness. A bias-bound neckline and interfaced button bands provide tidy, practical finishes.
What you’ll learn in this class
- Join gathered fronts and a back inverted pleat to the yokes.
- Interface and form the button bands.
- Use pattern notches to attach each sleeve correctly.
- Create elastic casings at the cuffs.
- Bind a curved neckline with bias tape.
- Prepare and position patch pockets.
- Make automatic buttonholes and sew on buttons by machine.
Fabric and notions
Along with the main fabric, you’ll need interfacing, cuff elastic, bias tape for the neckline, and buttons.
Use one fabric throughout, or combine a solid body with contrasting yokes and pockets. The class also shows how to distribute the front gathers away from the button area.
Make it your own
Add appliqué, embroider the child’s name, or sew on a plain label that can be marked with a fabric pen. Include a generous back loop so the child can hang up the smock independently.
For more buttonhole practice, visit the stroller seat liner or BabyBjörn bouncer cover class.
Sizing
The pattern includes sizes 1/2, 2/3, 3/4, 4/5, 5/6, and 6/7 years. It covers heights from 86 to 120 cm and provides chest, waist, hip, and cuff-elastic measurements.
The class includes home-print and copy-shop pattern files plus an information sheet. New to printable patterns? See how to use a PDF sewing pattern.
Pattern & materials
Patterns are included with membership
Active members can download every available PDF and materials list.
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