Baby Style {How to wear homemade}

I sew quite a bit (clearly) however I am also a sucker for cute clothes from the stores. (yep totally human) So I decided to start a new little series here on the blog:
How to wear homemade
I plan on sharing outfits, collections, or day to day styles of how we mix homemade items and store bought items together.
To start things off I made Penny a little collection. Baby Style. This collection is heavy on the homemade. Our lovely sponsor Simply Sweet Fabrics provided me with some super sweet fabrics. I just couldn't resist pairing them up and making a sweet little collection for Penny.

I am loving the whole collection mixing and matching fabrics to make several pieces makes them all different but they go together which is great because you can buy 1 or 2 bottoms to go with some tops and you are set.

So first up I made the Pepper Pinafore.  I opted to skip the cami for Penny since I little baby back peaking out is cute, but come fall/winter I will throw a onesie under and call it good. I used Sweet Shoppe Calico Candies Big Check in Aqua for the top. (love that teal gingham) I paired it with the super sweet Little Red Riding Hood print, I am over the moon in love with this sweet print. The bold red buttons on the back make my heart sing. For the pockets I used a pink/red gingham for a fun play on color.  I paired the top with a pair of baby skinnies from Old Navy.

Next up I made an Apple LoungeWear top, (another sneak peek at a pattern coming out soon) The Apple LoungeWear is a pattern that started a year ago, was almost released back in the spring, got totally scrapped and re-designed, and now I am in love with it. A "sweatshirt" that works with knits or wovens. I am loving the Little Red Riding Hood print with the neck ribbing, and waist ribbing. It is comfy and cozy.

I returned to an all time favorite the Maggie Mae. First time making the sweet Maggie Mae for a baby, you know I love it just as much as I do for Abbey. I paired Floressence Floresta Cashmere, with the red/pink gingham. I love the sweet floral print that has a modern vibe with the gingham cut on the bias just to keep things interesting.

Lastly I turned to the Baby Basics pattern. Designed back before I had my own little baby. Not only has Penny been getting lots of wear out of all the pieces from the pattern I made way back when, but I made up a dress fresh just for her. (I did a collar re-mix tutorial coming soon) I went with just the red/pink gingham, playing with directions and adding piping to break it up. I love the curved bodice on the dress, and the sweet little puff sleeve.

So that wraps up this Baby Style.
Special Thanks to Simply Sweet Fabric they have the sweetest fabrics, super fast shipping, and great pricing.

Shoulder Button Onesie {Free PDF Pattern}

 Remember the onesie pattern I shared HERE well,  I have been a onesie making machine. (you know when I wasn't sewing the alphabet collection, or working on some new patterns) I love the original pattern, but I wanted to mix things up a bit as well. So I added button closures at the shoulder.

 I love the buttons, because well, I love buttons. It also can be helpful if your kiddo has a large head something doesn't have to stretch over the head since the buttons are totally functional.

 Side note, Penny is growing so way too fast! 7 months already and I can't believe it! She loving being mobile and loving the grass. I just love that it is so green :)  And her scrunchy face smile. Well, on to the tutorial...

 To start we will extend the shoulder line on the pattern. Extend the front by 1"

 Extend the back by 2" (the back will overlap the front)

 Sew the ribbing along the neck the same as the original pattern. You will need to cut the neck ribbing in half but you will also have to add an inch to the ribbing before you do that.
A couple notes. I have a few comments that the ribbing is too short, or it won't stretch enough or that it makes too small of openings. Different fabric stretches differently. True ribbing has a lot of stretch and it is designed for that purpose.  Regardless of the pattern if the ribbing piece can not stretch over your child's head before you sew it to the neck then the shirt will also not fit. Same with the neckline of the shirt, if it doesn't fit before you sew the ribbing on then it won't fit after. The ribbing has to be shorter than the neck opening, and then stretched to fit. If you don't stretch it (and I mean really stretch) then it will lay all wonky and wavy. For this onesie, I used regular interlock for the ribbing, knowing it has very little stretch I cut it longer than the pattern suggests.

 So you will sew the front and the back neck lines.

 Next I used hem tape, but you can use interfacing, or any stabilizer, the hem tape was great because it fuses it together and stabilizes. Fold the front and back shoulders down 1"

 Stitch in place.

 Overlap the back and front pieces and pin in place.

 Mark and sew the button holes. Then you will sew the ribbing on the sleeves the same as the original. 

 Add buttons. Finish the onesies following the pattern and you are done.

The other thing I added was a little pocket, which works for a girl but would be perfect for a boy. (my husband thinks the pocket makes it boyish) Anyway I cut a square turned all the edges under and stitched along the top. 

 Then I place the pocket and stitched the sides and bottom. Done.

 Now you have a perfect onesie with a little added detail.

 The knit is another fabulous knit from Girl Charlee. Gosh I love them, they are so fun and soft, and easy to work with, seriously I love all the onesies I made because of the fun prints.

I love seeing her move and groove in comfortable knits.

Baby Ringer Onesie {Free PDF Pattern}

 Who is sewing a lot for babies?? I know I am. Seriously the girl went from wearing the same newborn clothing for the first 4 months of her life to suddenly out growing everything. So I started making onesies. They are surprisingly easy to make, come together really quick and there are some AMAZING knit prints out there that make adorable one of a kind onesies. (and really what is better than a baby in comfy knits?

 While I was making up the onesies with a cute little kimono style ringer sleeve, I thought you know I might as well just share the pattern. Part of what makes these onesies so easy is that there is no tiny sleeve setting, all the edges are finished with rib knit, and you can make the whole thing with a sewing machine, nothing fancy here (although I do love a serger with knits)

So here is the pattern:
Sizes 3m, 6m and 9m (making the pattern longer or wider would be easy enough)
(the first page is a little fuzzy but the pattern should be fine)

You will need:
1/2 yard knit
***I find the best knits (like the ones used above) at Girl Charlee
If you are brand new to knits, go with a medium weight cotton knit or cotton lycra, they are really easy to work with, nice and sturdy so they don't go all flimsy on you and get all wonky. If you are more experienced with knits, go for any knit as the body, they all work great.
1/4 yard Rib Knit
3 (size 16) Snaps (and snap tool)
Small scrap of interfacing (the sturdy stuff is best)
Matching thread
***Using thread that matches your ribbing is going to provide the best looking result.
Knit sewing needle. (totally recommended for best results)


Before you start:
The pattern has not been tested by anyone other than myself for my baby. She is currently wearing the 6m size. She is 6m old, 15 pounds and has a 16" head circumference. The fit is great on her with a little room to grow. If your baby has chubby arms or legs you may want to add extra room, or longer ribbing so it won't be as tight,  it fits my daughter perfectly but she is not super chubby.

A couple notes. I have a few comments that the ribbing is too short, or it won't stretch enough or that it makes too small of openings. Different fabric stretches differently. True ribbing has a lot of stretch and it is designed for that purpose.  Regardless of the pattern if the ribbing piece can not stretch over your child's head before you sew it to the neck then the shirt will also not fit. Same with the neckline of the shirt, if it doesn't fit before you sew the ribbing on then it won't fit after. The ribbing has to be shorter than the neck opening, and then stretched to fit. If you don't stretch it (and I mean really stretch) then it will lay all wonky and wavy.

The pattern is free to use, but not YOURS to copy, sell, or redistribute. You can link to THIS post, or pin from THIS page, but not from the pattern directly. Thanks!

 Ok let's begin. Cut your pieces out. Follow the direction of stretch and all the markings on the pattern. (it should look like so)

 We will start by preparing the ribbings. You will fold all the ribbing pieces the same way, basically folding them like bias tape. Fold them all in half the long ways, then fold the edges in toward the middle. Press Press Press. Using a little steam really helps to get the creases in there. Again do this for all the ribbing pieces, doing it at the beginning will save you from doing it each time you need them.

 Now with the front and back right sides together sew along ONE shoulder. Using my sewing machine I do sew with a small zig-zag stitch so that the seam has some stretch. You can also use a stretch seam if you have the stretch seam foot, or a straight stitch if needed.

 Open the top up and press flat.  Mark the center front and center back point.

 Now take your neck ribbing, and unfold the folds you pressed in. Now find the middle point, and mark it with a pin. Then find the middle point of each side. (or the 1/4 point) Mark with a pin. You should have 3 points marked.

 Now pin the ribbing to the neckline. (right sides together) Match up the center point with the sewn shoulder seam. Then match up each 1/4 point with the center front and center back of the top. Then match up the edges of the ribbing with the edge of the neck line. You will notice the ribbing is smaller than the neckline. This is fine.

 Sew the ribbing to the neckline following the top crease. Stretch the ribbing to fit as you sew. Stretching as you sew is what ensures that it will be able to stretch over the head without busting a seam.  I sew this part with a straight seam.

 Now place right sides together and sew the top edge of the ribbing down across the shoulder.

 Turn the top right side out. Double fold the ribbing along the same crease marks, so the folds are towards the inside of the neckline. Then stretching again as you sew, sew along the bottom edge to secure the ribbing in place.

 Sometimes, I miss some of the fold in back the first run through, (it happens) so in this case I simply sew a second line to make sure I secure the fold. The double line is a nice look just make sure to stretch it both times or you won't be able to get it over the head.

 Now for the sleeves. Unfold the ribbing and sew it (right sides together) to the sleeve edge. Stretch as you sew. Repeat with the other sleeve as well.

 Now with right sides together sew from the edge of the ribbing curve around the armpit and go down the side.

 Now the same way you did the neck ribbing you will do the sleeves. (they are smaller so it it a little trickier, if you need you can fold them and sew before you sew up the sides.)

 Press the interfacing to the bottom of the front piece. Then fold up the bottom edge 1" and press then sew in place.

 Then in the same way we have sewn the other ribbings add ribbing to the bottom of the onesie. Start at the bottom front edge (don't sew along the fold) then go around the leg and back and around the other leg stopping at the other side of the front bottom piece. Stretch as you sew again.

 Now for the snaps. I use the Dritz  Snap Fasteners in white, with the tool. They are easy and quick.  You place the bottom (white with spikes) in the tool then place your fabric on top where you want the snap to be. (center of the bottom front) Then press the first layer of the tool down to show the placement. Add the top snap piece. Then close the tool and hammer until it's flat. Then you are done!

 Add three snaps to the bottom front.

 Then add three snaps along the ribbing of the bottom back and you are done with a Onesie!

 Put the soft and comfy knit onesie on your baby and they will be as happy about it as you are.

 Or at least they will look super cute in the one of a kind onesie with way better prints then you will find in the store.

 And really who can resist little baby bums in onesies? I can't and during the hot hot summer heat we call the onesie a whole outfit. But in the winter or colder weather, pants and a sweater are great to wear with it.

Now off to sew a dozen more for this growing little girl...

If you make some too add them to our flickr group I would LOVE to see them!

Stars and Stripes Baby Romper {Free PDF Pattern}

 Hey it's the day before the 4th of July and I actually made patriotic clothing for all the kids! Although it will be a while before I share the other two since it is part of a secret project (mysterious...) Just a hint you may get sneak peeks by following instagram hashtag #patternanthology or #alphabetcollection you know because it's coming :) I did however, finish, photograph and put together instructions for Penny's romper.

 This sweet little babe just turned 6 months old. 6 months! Where does that time go? She is getting so big (literally she jumped from the 3rd percentile to the 40th) She is just our peaceful sweet happy little baby. Sewing for her these days is a lot of fun, and totally needed since the girl is finally out growing her clothes and in desperate need of new ones, sewing is a little easier than shopping since all the kids are home for the summer :)

 If you remember I shared this free pattern for the summer breeze dress and said I had more variations coming. Well here is variation number one. A romper, I didn't add the pattern piece for the romper part, but it's really easy to make and then you can use the bodice from the summer breeze pattern.

Pattern can be found here
Instructions for the bodice assembly can be found here

(Pattern is 3-6m)

 So for the bottom part, instead of the skirt make a large rectangle. To make the rectangle, measure the waist and times it by 2. That will be the width of the rectangle. For the height measure from the under arm down to the crotch. Add about 4 inches for ease in wear. Cut 2 rectangles this size. Now to cut in the leg curve part I followed a pair of pants that fit, I simply traced the curve on to both sides. Then with right sides together sew both pieces together from the top to the crotch. (follow the black dots.

 Now turn them right sides out and turn the seams so they go down the center. It will look like a really big pair of shorts.

 Make a bodice by following the steps here for the summer breeze dress. Now you have a bodice and bottom.

 Gather the shorts and sew it to the bodice like the summer breeze dress.

 Then hem the leg openings of the shorts by turning them under 2 times and sewing in place.

 Now you will want to measure the front and back crotch. Make a rectangle that is the width of that measurement plus 1" and 4" thick. (make 2 one front one back)

 Next shirr the bottom leg openings. Need help with shirring? Check out this post.

 Next press both edges along the short length in by 1/2" and then fold them in half length wise and press.

 With right sides together sew the rectangle to the crotch curve. Sew one to the front and one to the back.

 Add snaps to both side and you are done.

 Now you have a cute little romper perfect for summer, you could even extend the legs longer and make it into pants for fall if needed.

 This cheeky monkey was perfectly happy with a summer romper

Red white and blue just look perfect on her.