onesie dress embellishments

These aren't super detailed instructions but hopefully with the pictures and text it will provide you with some ideas to dress up your onesie dresses!

I used elastic thread in the bobbin on most of these embellishments. It may not be necessary since the back part of the onesie will have stretch enough to fit over you little one's head but I used it just to be safe. Using elastic thread does result in a gather but I have found that unless you have several rows of stitches with elastic thread (shirring) the gathering is minimal and unnoticeable.

tuxedo ruffles

This embellishment has raw edges and is suitable only for knit fabric. Cut five 1" strips. 1- 8" long, 2- 6" long, 2- 5 long". Ruffle the strips with a gathering stitch.

With the ruffles hanging over the neckline (onesie and ruffles right side together), center and pin the 8" ruffle on neckline. Pin the 6" strips on either side of the 8" strip. Pin the 5" strips next to the 6" strips. Sew the ruffles to the onesie just underneath the binded top edge of the onesie. I know that is worded weird... does it make sense at all? (The reason I sew the ruffles to the onesie this way is to make a cleaner ruffle that lays flatter on the dress.)

Flip the ruffles down. Pin. Sew down the center of each ruffle over your gathering stitch. Remove the gathering stitch.

gathered neckline

Cut a strip of fabric- 2.5" x 16. Make a fabric tube by sew your strip together lengthwise, wrong sides together (the raw seam will be hidden later). Center the seam on the back and iron.

Gather your fabric tube by sewing (with a gathering or basting stitch) down each side 2/16" from the edge.



Fold the shoulder flaps of the onesie back. Center and pin the gathered fabric tube just beneath the binded neckline of the onesie. Sew with a regular straight stitch using elastic thread in the bobbin. Remover the gathering stitch.

little bow

Cut a strip of fabric 1"x7" on the bias. Fold and iron the raw edges to the center- wrong sides together.

Fold the shoulder flaps of the onesie back. Center and pin the strip just beneath the binded neckline of the onesie. Sew with a regular straight stitch using elastic thread in the bobbin.

Make a fabric tube by cutting a 2"x12" strip of fabric. Fold in half lengthwise, right sides together. Sew with a 1/2" seam allowance, leaving the ends open. Turn your fabric tube right side out. This can be tricky with such a narrow tube- try this magic tube turning trick. (Yarn works well too!) Iron your fabric tube and tie into a pretty bow. Trim the ends. Stitch close and parallel to the raw edges to minimize fraying. To further discourage fraying use a little fray check on the ends. From the back hand stitch the bow to the neckline. These stitches also prevent the bow from untying.

ruffle neckline

This embellishment has raw edges and is suitable only for knit fabric. Cut a strip of fabric 1.75"x15". Gather one long edge. Fold the shoulder flaps of the onesie back. Pin the ruffle with the gathering line matching up with the binded neckline of the onesie, right sides together.

Stitch just beneath the banded neckline of the onesie. (I used elastic thread in the bobbin on this one too)

Remove the gathering stitch. Trim the excess fabric. Fold the ruffle down and topstitch.

I embellished these onesies a while back. No instructions, but they are both pretty self explanatory and would be adorable with or without an attached skirt!

 

Any of the embellishments would also work for a toddler, little girls or even a woman's shirt. 

Happy embellishing!!

dressed up onesies

I've been making lots of onesie dresses and tie applique onesies as gifts.

The tie applique onesies  couldn't be easier! I made these for a friends new nephew.



I used Char's perfectly sized tie applique pattern + tutorial.

The dresses are easy to make and fun to embellish.

These dresses (plus a few more that are identical to the ones hanging on the line) are for friends that have recently had little girls. I am keeping a couple for my little girl though!

When I sat down to make these dresses I tried to reference my tutorial for sizing only realize I never finished it and posted it. Oopsie. I am so behind in blogging. Hopefully I will get caught up soon!

labor crafts

My baby is currently seven days late. Which I guess is normal for me. My first came on time but then I had to be induced with #2 and #3. I am trying to be patient and give my body time to go into labor on it's own. I prefer natural childbirth and dislike being induced. That being said, I can only be patient for so long! I have an induction set up for the 26th.

On Monday night I got the idea that if I made something for the baby that she would be motivated to come out. Silly, I know. I decided to try the swaddle blanket from Prudent Baby. I cut it out Monday night and Tuesday morning contractions started! The contractions continued all day and were mostly mild so I was able to finish the swaddler as seen here modeled by Sutton's bear, "Star". After 14 hours the contractions faded away. I have never experienced false labor before (btw, I take offense at the term "false labor" nothing about that day felt false!) and I was very frustrated. I may have cried. A lot.
A word about the swaddler tutorial: I am really happy with how it turned out (well, as happy as I can be not being able to actually try it on a baby) but the tutorial lacked specific measurements which I found very frustrating. I also had to modify it a little bit since my fabric had a directional print and I didn't want the cute little trees to be cut on the diagonal. I was able to able to figure it out and even created a pattern so I can easily make more. If I like how the swaddler works I will definitely make one or two more for myself and several as baby gifts and I'll post the pattern for all of you.

In between all my useless contractions I also wrapped another thrifted wreath form. This time with white cotton yarn for Valentines Day.

I made two different sized fabric yo-yos (my first ever yo-yo project!) from scraps that had red and pink as the dominant color. A narrow red ribbon twisting up one side finished it off.

Hopefully tomorrow I will share the rest of the Valentine's Day decorations. I've got to distract myself somehow, right?

dressed up onesies

I made these onesies for a friend's new baby. I used fabric scraps from my stash and vintage buttons.

I didn't really have a plan, I just started cutting and sewing.


I am so pleased with how they turned out I can't wait to start sewing things for my new baby. Which, by the way, we found out is a GIRL! I am so excited to have another daughter.

infant seat canopy cover

For the last week I have felt very under the weather. Today I finally feel like myself again! It is so refreshing to spend time sewing rather than lay on the couch feeling miserable! I was reminded by a friend this morning that I was supposed to do a tutorial for the infant seat canopy so that was the first thing I accomplished this morning. I wish posting about it was the last thing I had to do today but I have to get started on packing for our upcoming trip to Brooklyn. Oh well, at least I am being productive. It's a nice change!

This tutorial is for an infant seat and while they are all the same basic design, sizes vary by brand so please measure your seat carefully before starting this project to ensure a proper fit!

You will need:
-one yard of material for the exterior of the canopy
-one yard of material for the interior.
-sew on Velcro
-thread

-optional- two large buttons for the straps or make fabric bows for an embellishment

Cut the exterior and interior fabric into 33"x41.5" rectangles. With the excess material cut two 8"x2.5" strips of both fabrics for a total of four strips of fabric.

Fold the rectangles in half and half again so all the corners are lined up. I have both the interior and exterior fabrics stacked so there is a total of eight layers. Using a bowl or a plate as a guide remove the corner from the rectangles.

I didn't even mark it, just used the rotary cutter against the bowl.

Pin rectangles, right sides together. Sew all the way around leaving an 8" opening on one end.

Turn the canopy right side out and press.

Close to the edge, top stitch all the way around the canopy (This also closes up 8" opening).

I used white thread on top and yellow in the bobbin.

To make the straps: with right sides together, sew three sides of the 8"x2.5" strips leaving one short end open. Trim corners. Turn right side out and press.

Fold in raw edges of the open end. Sew all the way around the strap.

Ready to sew on the Velcro.

Cut a piece of Velcro (1.75"). Sew Velcro pieces to opposite sides and ends of the straps.

Finished straps. Now you can sew on your buttons or bows if you choose.

Find placement for straps. Mine are 12" in from the sides and 17" down from the top. I recommend putting your canopy on the seat to find the proper placement.

Sew the straps on. 1.5"x 2" square and an X in the middle for re-enforcement.

Done!

I love these big yellow buttons!

Ready for a baby!

This tutorial is for personal use only please. The canopy probably takes about two hours to make. If you make one I would love to see it!

The fabric is Airplanes on Blue by M'Liss sold at Hancock Fabric but seems to be discontinued.

for cora and siena

Jamie, a dear friend of mine from High School, is about to have her second baby girl (in like six days!) She will be named Cora. Pretty name, right? Jamie emailed me recently asking if I would make a couple of things for her new baby in exchange for some jewelery from her shop. I love trades!

The first item Jamie requested was an infant seat canopy. I don't know who thought up this idea but it is brilliant! If I have another baby I will definitely be making one of these. It will protect the baby from wind and sun and hopefully crazy old ladies at Walmart that think it is okay to touch your newborn.

Jamie left the fabric choice up to me. I am such a sucker for polka dots. And yellow.

Her only requests were a couple of rosettes on the cover and bows on the straps.

I had never made fabric bows before, I really like how they turned out. It would be cute as a clip for a little girl too.

Jamie also requested some burp cloths. I used large scraps for the front and terry cloth for the back.

Hopefully she doesn't mind that they are not a matching set!

And because I thought the soon to be big sister needed something fun too... a little dress for Siena who is almost two years old (I hope it fits!!).

I narrowed down my jewelery choices to two different items and told her to surprise me. I can't wait to see what she sends. Thanks Jamie!