In this tutorial, I want to show you how I upcycle a lovely ladies top into an adorable romper for a newborn to wear for their very first photo shoot! I love taking something old and unwanted and turning it into something new. I search thrift stores, eyeing colors and fabrics and textures until something catches my eye. The colors and the lace on this top instantly attracted me and my brain started creating the romper in my head. I couldn't wait to get it home and get my scissors on it! I start by taking my trusty, tried and true romper pattern and center it on the blouse. I make sure the bottom hem is lined up. Because this blouse is gathered along the empire waistline, it will create a gathered look on the romper and we need to maintain that shape so I am careful not to stretch the fabric to maintain the gathers. The BEST part!!! Cut it up!!! I always leave a more generous space for a seam allowance. Because this blouse has the wide lace neckline, I plan to use this for a wide strap on the romper, so I am modifying the pattern a tad and not cutting exactly on the lines. I know.. I'm a rule breaker! I am essentially using my romper pattern as a "guide" for the width and length but going off the course for the neckline and straps. I do know this pattern will cover the baby's chest and come up right under the baby's chin, so just using it as a guide will help me determine where I need to cut the straps. Onto the next side, again giving a little room for a seam allowance. Now for the inseam. I center my pattern again, but this time flatten out the gathered material. Now for the straps.. this is where a little bit of guesswork comes in. Knowing that the top of my romper pattern comes up below their chin, I give myself a generous amount of space for the strap. It's very easy to tuck excess fabric back behind the baby so I never want to cut myself short.. literally ;) And here we are! All cut out and ready to be sewn up! Oops, 1 more thing.. Need to remove the evidence and cut the tag out! Very carefully as to not snip any of the material. Yes, I have done that before, eek! Now turn it inside out so both right sides are touching each other. Begin sewing on the sides under where the arms will go. I started my seam right about where my thumb is. Here we go! Forgive my ancient sewing machine. This was my husband's grandmother's. She bought it the year he was born. I sew both sides first, then the inseam. I sew the straps last. Trim off the excess threads. I also trim off the excess seam allowance at the openings of the legs and from the straps. Not too much! I then turn it right side out to see my new romper! At this point I am picturing the baby in here and knowing where the chin will be, I realize my straps are way too long and wide. So I go back and trim down the straps and add a gather to them. Perfect! Here is my completed romper. Thank you so much for reading my tutorial. I hope it inspires your creativity! If you would like to follow me on Facebook to keep up with my current available items to purchase, please visit my Facebook page: www.facebook.com/bittybundles
3 Comments
Stephanie
2/18/2016 02:54:07 pm
Amy I'm so proud of you,good job. The romper is adorable!
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Ema
4/27/2016 02:25:06 pm
Nice romper! Where can we find a "true romper pattern"? :)
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Sina
2/4/2017 05:52:51 am
Hey this is very cute. Well done!
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