I am in total and complete shock.
It’s day 4 of my So Celebrate Sewing challenge, and I haven’t missed a day yet! Wowzers, so exciting!!
I am feeling a little, maybe a lot, sick today. I stayed home from church this morning. Watched a little U.S.Open Tennis. Then I got antsy. The sewing kind of antsy. Hence the tutorial for today – another idea for embellishing / updating / upgrading a onesie.
I've had this Micheal Miller fabric all summer, and I've been dying to cut into it. Good news is - I still have 2.75 yards left!
You can probably determine how to make this just by looking at the pictures … but just in case you can’t – read on!
Start with your fabric and a onesie. Put the oneside aside for just minute while you create the strips for the arm ruffles and the thigh/waist ruffle.
I decided to use bias strips for these ruffles - why? - because I didn't want them to be super fluffy. A strip cut on the bias will lay flatter than one cut on grain (just straight across). In the end, I don't think it really matters...so if cutting these bias strips takes your sanity - just cut regular strips! Anyway, where was I? Take a decent sized piece of fabric. This one is about 1/4 yard cut in half. (9" x 22")
Cut across from one corner to the opposite corner. (You can see that it's okay to cheat and not cut exactly straight lines! I just eyeball it. When you create the ruffle, any imperfections will disappear. If you're one of those "meticulous" types, go ahead and use a ruler.)
Fold thone of those pieces over so that it's about half the width of the ruffle you desire.
Use that side as the guide for cutting the rest of the strip.
Cut as many strips that same size as you can from your fabric. I was able to cut 3. To join them - place the ends perpendicular to each other with right sides facing, and sew a diagonal stitch ...
....When you open up the two peices, you'll see that you've made a continuous strip. Repeat this for as many strips that you were able to cut.
Finish your side edges - I chose to use a rolled hem from my serger, but you can do a typical hem if you prefer.
Right now you have one long bias strip. I chose to measure my two sleeves, and then I used the remaining strip for the legs and back. For the sleeves measurement, I placed the strip where I wanted it on the onesie...
... then I doubled that length so that I'd have enough fabric to ruffle. Then cut another one exactly the same length. These are your sleeve lengths.
You see that I have 1 long strip to go from one leg, around the back and to the other leg. I have 2 smaller strips to go over the shoulders.
Now finish all your side edges. Since I used a rolled hem, I needed to put Fray Check at the corners so the threads don't unravel.
Now you're almost done! Sew a long basting stitch across the top of each strip. Pull the top thread on each to create the ruffle. Pin in place. ****Change your needle to a BALLPOINT NEEDLE - because you're sewing on a stretch onesie**** And sew those ruffles on!
Your front will look something like this ...
... the back will look something like this ... UNLESS OF COURSE>>>
...You decide it needs just a little tiny something extra! I heart this!
Remember, this is YOUR project, so your strips can be all kinds of bigger than mine, longer than mine, etc. If you do make one of these, I’d LOVE to see it!
For the breakdown:
Cost: $2 onesie at Walmart, purchased fabric wholesale on sale, so 1/4 yard was $0.25! I’m not lying, I promise!
Time: not more than 30 minutes … again, tennis was on!
The main thing I’m excited about with this project….that the ruffles stay clear of those chunky monkey thighs!!! I’ll send a photo after I put this on her tomorrow. Although —- our cold front of 90 degree weather might make it too cold for this!
