DIY Art Smock for Your Little One – Free Pattern Included!

Looking for a way to let your little one’s personality shine while they’re crafting their next masterpiece? A reversible artist’s smock featuring Petal Signature Cotton™ is just the answer. Mix-and-match Marketplace designs or let your pint-sized Picasso create their own design and then download the free smock pattern to get started!

How to Make a Child’s Art Smock

Child Art Smock Materials

• 1 3/4 – 2 3/4 yards of Petal Signature Cotton™, Organic Cotton Sateen or Cotton Poplin*
  • We’re using 1 yard of Orange Pop by katerhees and 1 yard of Hatches – Periwinkle by kristinnohe to create a reversible smock
• Free Art Smock Pattern, available in sizes XS – XL
• Sewing machine
• Fabric scissors 
• Pins or Wonder Clips
• Coordinating thread 
• Marking tool

*Please refer to the smock pattern to determine total yardage required based on your size. All seam allowances are 3/8″ unless otherwise stated.

Featured Smock Designs

Step 1. Prep Your Pattern Pieces

Print out and assemble the free smock pattern. Lay your pattern pieces on the fabric and cut out your pattern pieces. Mark your notches and transfer any markings from the pattern onto the fabric.

Step 2. Create the Smock Pockets

Fold and press all four edges of each pocket piece in by 1/4″. Fold and press the top edge of the pocket piece down by another 1 1/4″. Stitch 1 1/8″ from the top, all the way across, to secure the top edge of the pocket.

Step 3. Attach the Pockets

Place one pocket piece on top of each smock body piece. The wrong side of the pocket should be touching the right side of the smock body piece. Align the corners of the pockets with the large and small circles you marked on the Smock Body pieces in step 1. Topstitch and edge-stitch around the sides and bottom of each pocket piece. 

Optional: Stitch straight down the center of the pocket, top to bottom, to create two pockets. 

Step 4. Stitch the Smock Together

Pin both smock body pieces together, right sides facing. Stitch together along the neckline and armholes using a 3/8″ seam allowance. Do not stitch across the shoulders yet! Clip the curves.

Stitch along the outer curve, leaving a gap between the notches at the center front. Clip the curves.

Step 5. Create the Overlap in the Smock Back

Pull the back shoulders through the opening in the center front, turning them right-side out. Cross them over one another, bringing them back through the opening, taking care not to twist them. Insert the back shoulder pieces into the front shoulder pieces. Stitch along the shoulder lines with a 3/8″ seam allowance.

Step 6. Finish the Smock

Turn the smock right-side out out, pressing in the edges of the center opening. Press and edge stitch around all the edges, making sure to secure the bottom opening.

From rainbow snails to marvelously mod designs, these collections will get you started on your art smock masterpiece.