Wattlekids

Sewing patterns for timeless children's clothing

Adelaide, South Australia
36 Sales | 5 out of 5 stars 5 out of 5 stars

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About Wattlekids

Sales 36
On Etsy since 2018
  • Made for play and getting wild.
  • The cutest rompers in the doll size.
  • Lovingly handmade using recycled fabrics and natural fibres.
  • Bloomin' Patchwork Romper in leaf linen.
  •  

Slow fashion for little people. Inspired by nature. Kind to nature.

Wattle Kids represents quality clothing for the little people in your life, made from recycled fabrics and natural fibres. It is clothing that is gentle on the earth, meant for play and getting dirty. Designed and handmade by me, from start to finish, in my little home in the foothills of Adelaide, where I live with my family.

Wattle Kids provides an alternative to fast fashion for young children. I hand craft each item, choosing natural and rescued materials that would otherwise go to landfill. The colours and designs are inspired by the natural landscapes of Australia, with a nod to the rich and diverse history of fibre arts. The fit is comfortable and easy with room for little bodies to move and grow. Each garment is one of a kind and beautiful in every way.

WHY RECYCLED FABRICS?
Beautiful children’s clothing should not cost our earth and that is why I choose to incorporate recycled materials as much as possible. Fast fashion is one of the top polluting industries and the waste that our clothing choices produce is extraordinary. I believe that change needs to happen at every level, including small business. By incorporating salvaged materials into Wattle Kids designs, I am saving fabrics that may otherwise end up in landfill.

WHY NATURAL FIBRES?
Synthetic fibres trap heat and moisture, risking both overheating and chills. Natural fibres on the other hand are breathable and maintain even temperatures, essential for the comfort of little ones. Natural untreated fibres also tend to be less irritating, and do not contain toxins and chemicals that are easily absorbed by sensitive young skin.

Flax linen forms the base fabric for each piece of Wattle Kids clothing. I choose linen for its beauty, timelessness, quality and sustainability. Much like wool, it keeps kids cool in summer and warm in winter. Linen requires little water to produce, is a renewable resource and is entirely biodegradable. The linen I use is ethically milled, sourced by The Fabric Store NZ. It is the perfect choice when looking for products that are earth-friendly and produced by well-treated workers.

WHY HANDMADE?
I carefully and intentionally hand craft each item of Wattle Kids clothing. This means my love and soul goes into each unique piece, giving it greater beauty and value. When you choose Wattle Kids, you are supporting a movement back to traditional skills and crafts, but most importantly, you are supporting my passion, my family and the earth.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Shop members

  • Lisa

    Owner, Designer, Maker

    Mother and maker. Finding ways to live a slow and simple life, to honour this season of motherhood. Forever in love with the natural world and all that it inspires.

Shop policies

More information

Last updated on 18 May, 2022
Frequently asked questions
Custom and personalised orders

Each Wattle Kids item is made to order and has a number of customisable choices including base fabric colour, patchwork colourways and sizing. Wattle Kids does not offer customisation beyond these options at this stage.

Sizing details

Sizing is based on standard international measurements. You can find all the sizing information you need on each listing.

Kids come in all shapes and sizes and wow do they grow fast! This is why I have included features to offer greater sizing flexibility and room to grow. Stretchy elastic waistbands, extra long straps that can be made shorter, roomy bottoms to accommodate all kinds of nappies, everything kids need to get the most wear from their clothing.

Measurements are a rough guide only. Get in touch if you have any questions at all.

Care instructions

I recommend washing your Wattle Kids garment on a short machine cycle with cold or lukewarm water using gentle earth-friendly laundry detergent. It is best to avoid detergents containing bleach or fabric softeners as these can damage the natural fibres and dramatically alter the colours. Never dry clean.

Line dry out of direct sunlight. If you are concerned about peg marks or lines left by the clothesline you can lay flat on a towel to dry.

Personally, I think the natural soft wrinkles that linen produces are incredibly beautiful, so I recommend only ironing if absolutely necessary. Note that the linen will soften and become more absorbent with each wash. It truly is a beautiful fibre!

Gift wrapping and packaging

All Wattle Kids items are packaged using minimal waste. Wherever possible I use recycled materials sourced from my community. Please note this may include some recycled plastic.

If I am unable to source recycled materials, I use Hero Packaging, satchels made from biodegradable co-polymer and cornstarch. I encourage you to first try re-using your satchel for your own mailing. Otherwise, pop your mailer bag in the compost pile or greens bin so it can break down naturally.

All labelling is made from recycled materials. I handstamp repurposed stationery and magazine pages to make hang tags and fabric samples and offcuts to make sew on labels.

I do not offer gift wrapping at this stage but it is something I hope to offer in the future.

If I live in Adelaide can I choose local pickup?

Yes you absolutely can! Unfortunately Etsy doesn’t offer this as an option on the website so you will need to contact me prior to putting your order through. I will send you a special code for you to enter at checkout so you do not have to pay for shipping.