Clothes to Make Kids Happy
Welcome to Ruth Maddock Makes! I’m so glad you’re here! I design sewing patterns for sensory-friendly children’s clothing—because every child deserves to feel comfortable. Take a look around, find your next project, and let’s create something special together!
About Me
I grew up in South London above my father’s shop, surrounded by creativity. My mum, a skilled dressmaker, taught me to sew, sparking a lifelong passion for clothing design.
I studied fashion at art school and built a career designing hand-knit patterns for women’s magazines.
I Went Back to School…
Later I decided to go in a different direction by taking time out to complete an MA in Contemporary Crafts. For my master’s project I returned to my love of clothing design and pattern cutting.
Clothes to Make Kids Happy
During this time I became really excited about the possibility of ‘Designing for Happiness’.
“Happiness makes good things happen. It actually promotes positive outcomes. The benefits of happiness include higher income and superior work outcomes (for example, greater productivity, higher quality of work, greater occupational attainment), larger social rewards (such as more satisfying and longer marriages, more friends, stronger social support, and richer social interactions), more activity, energy, and flow, and better physical health (for example, a bolstered immune system, lowered stress levels, and less pain), and even longer life…
Happiness is contagious – just try not laughing during this video of the laughing policeman.
Designing for Comfort & Confidence
This led me to create sewing patterns for sensory-friendly children’s clothing—helping kids feel comfortable and confident in what they wear. Many children with sensory processing challenges struggle with clothing that “hurts.”
My patterns are designed to change that.
You can learn more about sensory processing disorder HERE
I hope my designs bring comfort and joy to the children who need them most.
Here is note from the mum of one of my models;
He couldn't wait to put them on. I showed him the "clothes designed and made especially for people who don't like edges or labels or scratchy bits like you, with special seams and the t-shirt that can be worn both ways so you don't have to worry about getting it wrong" he said that he'd rate them 100% amazing, and asked "Did he have to give them back?" He agreed to take them off only when I hinted that a larger size might be available and that if he was happy to model for you there might be the possibility of getting hold of some that he could keep. He said "Great clothes that don't hurt!"
Don’t forget to check out my custom fabrics, available on Spoonflower (HERE), and my Knitting & Crochet Patterns (HERE).