It’s a good thing I had some projects archived. Because I am dang dog tired. And not just because I’m up at night with the world’s cutest newborn. I’m also taking meds to help be be able to breastfeed. They cause drowsiness. Lots of it. And I’ve come down with a nasty cough that’s keeping me up at night. Don’t want to take any medicine for it, because it might impede the whole milk coming in thing. So I’m pretty much a walking zombie. It’s a good thing I have lots of helpers!!
This tutorial is part two of making an embellished onesie. I already blogged the steps for how to add the ruffle to the onesie a few weeks ago. Now I’m showing you how to make a onesie into a dress.
How to Make a Onesie Dress
Measure across the waist of your onesie. Mine was 7″.
Next you need to cut the strip of fabric for your skirt. You want it four times the width of the waist, and however long you want it plus 2″. I cut mine 28″ wide (4 x 7″), and 9 1/2″ long (I wanted it 7 1/2′ long, so I added 2″.
Now you need to make the top and bottom hem. Fold the long side of the fabric down 1/2″ and iron it well. No you don’t need new glasses. It’s possible that there may have been a bit of photographer error in this shot.
Now fold it down 1/2″ again, and iron that crease really well.
Now match up the side seams right side together, and pin them.
Using a 1/2″ seam allowance, sew up the side; then press the seam open.
Now you need to gather the top of the skirt so that it will match up with the waist of the onsie. You can use your favorite method of gathering. I simply used my widest stitch length, then pulled on one of the threads. I started at the back seam. I used a piece of tape to hold my thread in place so it wouldn’t slip while I was taking pictures. You can obviously skip that step. I’m just telling you so I don’t get a bunch of e-mails asking me what the tape is for. 😉
It will look something like this on the outside:
Make sure the gathers are spread evenly, and pin your skirt to the waist of the onesie. Don’t forget to put the seam in the back!
Now stitch all the way around, right on top of your gathering stitch. Be very careful not to catch the bottom of the onesie under the needle. I did that myself, and had to patch a little hole. Not fun.
Now all you have left is to hem up the bottom of the skirt. Use the same method as you did for the top of the skirt. Fold over 1/2″, iron, repeat.
Then stitch the hem. You want your stitches to be close to the inside fold. When you are finished, turn your skirt right side out and clip all your threads.
Then put it on the cutest baby girl you can find. 🙂
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In case you possibly still monitor this; how did you get enough stretch in the skirt waist? I’ve sewn the skirt on 2 times, and both times the thread starts ripping as soon as I begin to stretch on the onesie at all. It doesn’t leave enough stretch to get her arm up to the arm hole. I even used stretch stitches, stretch thread and almost no thread tension
Oh man, I’m sorry you are having trouble. My daughter is now 12, so it’s been a LONG time since I made this. I don’t remember having to pull on the onesie. It may just be that the skirt is gathered too tightly? If you can’t get it to work any other way, I recommend just hand stitching the skirt on. Kind of a pain, but easier to control. Hope that helps!
A very creative idea that makes an one of a kind outfit for your adorable little girl. Thanks for sharing. Having cute baby girl outfits is so much fun.
I like this tutorial best because you aren’t cutting the onesie and that all the ruffling is on the outside as well. Quick, easy and just plain fun! Thanks for contributing!
She is just beautiful!
What a cute model! Congrats on your adoption!