Tell me about corduroy!

I've never worked with corduroy and am wanting to make my tall and skinny daughter some winter pants....she needs a size 18m for her tiny waist and 3T for her length...ugg.  Anyway, I saw one pattern that said it would work with fine whale corduroy...what is that?  I see some with descriptions such as 8W, 16W, 21W.  Any tips for working with corduroy?  What other fabrics would make good winter pants?  Thanks a bunch!

I feel your pain! My kids were/are both like that. In fact I'm making some size 4 waist/ 6 length pants right now!

Fine wale means that the lines are really skinny, it is also usually lighter weight. Corduroy is basically cotton velveteen with stripes shaved into it. I've never seen those numbers but it might correspond to so many "stripes" per inch or something?

Tips for corduroy: When you cut it out, make sure your pattern pieces are all going in the same direction, I like to place them so that nap feels right going down the pants or skirt. Use a soft cloth when ironing so that you don't crush the pile, same as you would with velvet. Let the steam do the work.

Other fabrics for winter pants for babies: flannel, lightweight brushed twill or canvas.

I love corduroy!  The numbers are how many wales (or those little ridges) per inch.  8W is a wide wale, chunkier corduroy, often used for jackets.  When I think of fine wale, I usually think 21W or more.  There's probably a definition, but that's mine!  Have fun sewing!  I have long skinny children also...it can be a challenge!

Thanks ladies!  I finally made it to Joanns yesterday and picked a couple yards up.  Now to figure out what I'm making...