a shocking lack of baby clothes
Monday, June 14, 2010 at 4:00PM ***Warning*** This series is intended only to make you want to sew infant bodysuits. I cannot be held responsible for anything else it makes you want to do. ***
My mother, wise woman that she is, told me once that the way to make sure you're going to have another baby is to get rid of all your baby clothes.
Did I listen? No. Do I have a baby on the way and not a single stitch of baby clothing to my name??
Mom, you were right. Again.
There are worse positions in which we could find ourselves, I suppose, than there being a sudden giant need for our pet hobby to rise and fill. I could go down to the store and just *gasp* buy a bunch of baby clothes, but why? We can have so much more fun if we sew them, don't you think?
Yes. That's what I thought, too.
So, we'll begin at the beginning. What we need very first, I think, is a slew of what's commonly called "Onesies", but which we won't be calling Onesies because that's a registered trademark of the Gerber company. So we'll call them "infant bodysuits", although that's a much less tasty name, but it's out there for the taking and that other one is not.
Now, it seems to me that once we've got an envelope-neck infant bodysuit pattern going, we could do several things with it. We could lengthen it and leave off the leg openings, and make a nightgown. We could cut it off at the waist and have a diaper shirt. We could sew a skirt on and have a dress. And of course, we need several sleeve variations...
Because I'm going to be needing lots of infant bodysuits/nightgowns/diaper shirts/dresses (maybe...) I figure I'll just go ahead and make up a pattern for them. I've got the pattern all ready, for all of the above-mentioned baby items, in sizes newborn through 2, but I still need to write the pattern instructions. Since this is technically my first ready-for-sewing pattern, I need your help.
So here's the deal. This week we'll work on this pattern together. I'll give you the 3-6 month bodysuit pattern, and write the instructions up here on this site. You sew along with me and tell me where it just doesn't make a speck of sense, could be clearer, etc. At the end of our little sojourn together, I'll polish it up and offer the whole pattern in PDF format for purchase. Sound like fun?
You'll need the pattern:
free!
And you'll need stretch (knit) fabric. One 3-6m size bodysuit takes 1/2 yd of fabric. Most knit fabrics being 60ish inches wide, you'll most definitely be able to get more than one bodysuit out of that half-yard. If you want contrast binding and/or applique, you'll need about 4" of another color.
Aside from that, each bodysuit will require 1" wide twill tape (about 4") and three snaps.
Do give me a shout out if you're sewing along, or even if you're just following along. I do so love to read all of your comments (although they tend to have a terrible effect on my housework.)
So, get your pattern printed out, get your materials together, and get at the starting line. Ready?
~Erin~
***Update*** Here is the finished pattern for purchase, as I said. Hurrah!
A close-fitting infant bodysuit, diaper shirt, nightgown,
and dress designed for knit fabrics with approximately
50% stretch across the grain. In sizes newborn-2 years.
PDF Pattern Download
$9.95
Reader Comments (6)
I'll sew along!
I have been wanting you to do this for a long time! I love seeing your creations and look forward to sewing with you! I too am expecting and I've always wanted to sew my baby clothing, but never found good patterns. Just looking at the pattern It is exactly the simplified form I'm looking for compared to other patterns I've looked at. I appreciate it so much! I look forward to all the fun creations!
Since my first grandchild was born yesterday, this seems like an appropriate project! I will follow along as much as I can--but since I only got as far as pulling fabric from my stash for the last project, I make no guarantees! I do love your contrast binding.
Oooh, congratulations, Kimberly! Best of luck!
~Erin~
Hi, I love your pattern. I just have one questions. I live in a small town and am unable to find any good quality knit. Can you please give me some information on where I might purchase some?
I love your blog and will be following. I have five granddaughters and two of them I can still sew for (the others think they are to old now!) Thanks so much for sharing your pattern!
Libby
Welcome, Libby! How fun to have children to sew for. Three sources I recommend for nice knits are www.fabric.com, www.sewzannesfabrics.com, and www.sewbaby.com.
Good luck, and enjoy!
~Erin~