by Elizabeth Wordsmith

Created on: April 27, 2008

How to dress up your kids on a budget:

LEARN TO SEW:
Learning to sew may be the best way to save money and dress your child fashionably on a budget. If you have some basic sewing skills, pattern companies such as Butterick, McCall's, and Simplicity have a variety of easy sewing patterns for the beginner seamstress. Also, many adult education classes provide sewing classes for the beginner to the more advanced home sewer.

By making your child's clothing, you will be creating something one of a kind and fitting it to your child's proportions without going through the hassle of alterations.

The patterns available in the latest pattern books follow the fashion trends, too. So you are sure to be able to dress your child according to the current trends.

If sewing isn't your cup of tea, there are many other ways to save money without having to sacrifice style. From infants to teens, there are strategies for beating the high cost of living well.

PLAN YOUR BABY SHOWER:
Starting with infants, ask your baby shower planner to request that attendees purchase different sizes in baby clothing. Often new moms end up with many clothes in newborn to three month sizes which, as we know, the child grows out of very quickly. Sometimes some of these gifts are never even worn.

CHECK CONSIGNMENT AND THRIFT STORES:
Look for gently used baby clothing in consignment and thrift stores. Little girls' dresses and little boys' dress-up clothes can be bought at a fraction of the retail cost. Also check out garage sales and church bazaars for deals on children's wear.

DON'T FORGET DISCOUNT STORES:
Discount clothing stores such as Walmart, Target, K-Mart, Marshall's, TJ Maxx, Old Navy, and The Children's Place have very reasonable prices for children's clothing. Check out the retail stores' outlet stores, too, such as the Gap Outlet.

FORM A MOTHERS' EXCHANGE:
Form a mother's exchange with your friends, neighbors, and relatives or members of an organization to which you belong. Mothers can either exchange or sell their children's out-grown clothing conveniently and at a great savings.

END OF SEASON SALES:
Check end of season sales when there are deep discounts. Plan ahead for future needs and buy larger sizes and seasonal clothing needed in the future.

SAVE ON SALES TAXES:
Take advantage of the no sales tax week during August if that applies to your area. This can save you six percent or more on the cost of children's school clothing and supplies.

LET A PICTURE GUIDE YOU:
Find pictures of outfits in

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