I started Sleepy Rabbit for multiple reasons:
- I found highstreet boys clothes boring
- I started feeling responsible for looking after the planet my son is growing up on
- I am concious about spending
- My son kept growing out of clothes I loved to see him in
- I love making clothes
- I struggled with postpartum OCD and sewing became my outlet
- I wanted to start a small business so I can work around being a mum
In June 2025, after toying with the idea of making my son clothes for a few weeks, and the algorithm gods telling me just how easy it is to make toddler trousers, I dusted off my sewing machine.
Realising my sewing machine was not in a condition to sew after not being touched for years and moving house what felt like almost every year for a decade (the millennial renting game in London is not for the faint hearted!), left me with time to think "There is no point putting more clothes into the world if I am not doing anything new or useful." So I thought, how can I make clothes that last longer? How can I make clothes without making more fabric? Is there a way I can do it with existing resources?
I remember chatting to a mum friend about how frustrating it is when you love an outfit and it only lasts a season because overnight your child has grown an inch and turned their trousers into ankle swingers. Maybe there is a way to make trousers that grow with your child!
The first trousers I ever made my son had none of these features, they didn't even have pockets! I based the pattern on a pair of well fitting trousers. They were black and white checkered using fabric from Hobbycraft. My son woke up from his nap that day and he excitedly tried his new trousers on.
However, I am glad for my sons sake and my customers sake that so much more development went into my designs before I launched.
- I altered the shape to be relaxed and comfortable with room to stretch and climb
- I added pockets, simply because everyone needs pockets (womenswear too please!)
- Most importantly, (and my favourite part), I added a fully enclosed 8cm hem.
The fully enclosed hem means a child's legs can grow 8cm and the trousers will still fit. The idea is they start with the hem fully folded up, which looks casual and great, then as they grow the hem can be let down by half and then fully.
According to International Manufacturers Standard Measurements for Europe, a childs leg actually grows on average 4cm a year so that is 2 years where the length of Sleepy Rabbit trousers should fit!
As for the waist, on average children only grow about 1cm extra circumference per year so the 25mm good quality elastic is more than enough to make sure the trousers fit without being tight.
Now I enjoy making trousers from interesting fabrics that already have a story like the aged 3-4 Blue Pink Gradient Checkered Trousers made from a second hand table cloth or the Red Blue Checkered Trousers with animal print pocket made from a second hand good quality mens shirt - you can even see the original breast pocket on the thigh!
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