Thursday 19 June 2014

Liberty Cord Baby Romper


You know when you've had a sewing project in your mind for so long that you kind of start to think that it's already been completed? This is one of those. I had the pattern and the fabric for months and whenever I opened Dolores's clothing drawers, I was kind of surprised to find the romper not in there. So last month I eventually got round to making it IRL. 


Pattern:

I was given this sewing pattern by Jenna (who has recently started up an AWESOME new blog, Just Sew Jenna). Quick backstory: I 'met' Jenna when she was the winner of a giveaway/competition I hosted last year. She won 1 metre of her choice of fabric from Sewbox.co.uk. She was sweet enough to indulge my request to see what she made from it (you can see her gorgeous top here) and we've continued to email ever since. She also came to one of the Renfrew t-shirt classes I taught at The Village Haberdashery (the next Renfrew class is on Saturday 2nd August, BTW!) when she made this fabulous garment. Anyways, Jenna is a massive inspiration to me as she sews most of her daughter's clothing herself. This Burda 9652 romper pattern (pictured below) is one she used regularly when her little girl was littler, and she kindly gave me a spare copy she had.  


It really is an easy pattern, and a good basis for your own customisation if you so desire. I made view B without the pockets (I felt my fabric would be too busy for the pockets to be noticeable) but I did hack the pattern to include poppers around the inside leg seams for easy access when nappy changing. I eyeballed a hand-me-down romper of Dolores's for how to approach the hack and basically ended up applying a self-bias strip along the inside leg seam to form a base for half of the poppers. The only other change I might make in the future is to elongate the body a bit, as Dolores is a relatively tall and skinny baby (takes after her papa).   


Fabric:

Speaking of Sewbox.co.uk, this super-soft baby cord was a given to me by them. Susan, owner of Sewbox, sent me lots of samples of her impressive array of baby cord and I picked my fave. This is Liberty Kingly Cord - Tatum Trail and you can snaffle your own here. It is an ideal fabric for babies: it's really soft but also holds its shape, AND the garment doesn't need ironing (IMO) after being laundered. I chose this print because it reminded me of the 70's baby/children's garments that kids were still wearing in my youth (early 80's). 


Thoughts:

It seems, if my explorations on Pinterest are to be believed, a big trend in children's wear is to look as much like mini-adults as possible! This freaks me out somewhat. I love that this garment is firmly a baby's garment. Is isn't close fitting, she can move around in it with ease. She can wear it on its own when its warm, or layered with onesies/vests and tights when it's chilly, and various combinations in-between. With poppers at the shoulder straps rather than buttons, it's a really practical garment that is relatively easy to get on and off, helped in part by its roomy fit. I'll definitely be using this pattern again in the future. How cute is it going to be when she's toddling around in it?!


23 comments:

Philippa said...

This is just adorable and could have come from virtually any era in the last few decades! I love classic baby clothes and completely agree that childhood should mean freedom to move around and wear whatever. I saw a little person toddling between her grandparents wearing black leggings and a black hoodie the other day. I felt quite sad - she's got a lifetime to wear sober colours and boring stuff if she wants!

wendy said...

Oh my word Zoe, that top photo with that gorgeous smile, and that tooth!! Just adorable:) I love that fabric, it looks so bright and happy, perfect baby project.

the craftytraveller said...

Such a wee cutie! Her romper suit looks affordable too. Rachel ��

Kathryn said...

Aw this is so cute & Dolores looks adorable in it! I haven't sewn much for Harris yet at all but when I do I would definitely want to include poppers - makes like so much easier!

tialys said...

I expect there are loads of babies around in football shirts in the U.K. at the moment!! Ah, well. The Liberty cord is gorgeous and modeled to perfection by the lovely Dolores. I have used Sewbox before for Liberty jersey - they have a good selection and prices are reasonable.
Poppers are just right on baby clothes - they stay attached to the fabric and are easier than buttons when you have a wriggler.

Helen said...

So cute! In my experience, if it's not kids as mini adults, it's wall to wall pink Disney princesses, so you've managed to avoid both very nicely. And for that reason I am glad of 2 boys... Neither of whom I have sewn for. Bad mum! :)

Unknown said...

Totally adorable! Your wee girl is just so cute, look at that cheeky wee smile.
The cord romper is gorgeous :)

Maider Masustak said...

This is soooo cute! Love your fabric choice!!!!

Sewing by Shirley said...

This is so adorable! I loved sewing for my kids at that age and still do!

Kirsty said...

I love this Zoe! It helps that it's gorgeous Liberty cord, but the pattern is also adorable and well anything on your little one is bound to be cute. The press studs on the legs are essential for ease of access!

Roobeedoo said...

Gorgeousness! I dressed both my kids in brightly coloured home-made dungarees and they still comment on their baby photos with a mixture of awe and horror :) I like to think I instilled a love of "alternative" dressing in them at the earliest opportunity! I recommend applique whales and lots of rainbows ;)

Miriam said...

How beautiful is your baby girl? Mine never looked like mini adults, they lived their lives in onesies. Good for adding the poppers ease of nappy change is tops xxx

Anonymous said...

This is SO cute! And Dolores has to be the happiest baby ever! I love her sweet smile!

Uta said...

This is so adorable, lucky Dolores to have a sewing mum! I never understood why you'd dress young children in b/w/grey, or newborns in jeans?! that they then have to lie on, how uncomfortable. There is choice in RTW for little ones, though, unlike school children. DD is getting into size 134/140 (German) which is often the smalles "teen" size, and you then have your choice of ripped/cool, sexy, or all black and gray. DD still plays with dolls and loves her happy colors! And there's no need to "grow up" at 8 years old, in my opnion! I'm happy to hear you're letting Dolores be what she is, a happy child who loves colour (they all do), being comfy and moving around.

TaraLee said...

The romper is really cute, but the star here is that adorable baby!

Laura said...

This is so cute, and the happiest baby in the world looks very pleased with it :)

Hana said...

Ohhh, this is very cute!! I love the fabric choice and she looks so adorable :-)

vintagerockchick said...

I'm with you, I hate to see little girls dressed in outfits that would have had my mother say "you're not going out dressed like that!" when I was 17.
Love the dungarees, and the photo of Dolores at the top of the post is absolutely gorgeous. You must be so proud xx

becki-c said...

Oh gosh, how adorable.
I'd run and get the pattern if she came with it~

JustSewJenna said...

Ahhh, you're amazing, you've just bought a tear to my eyes!! The romper looks lovely, as does the cutie in it. I think I made those exact changes when I made it, I've just been looking at some old pictures and they all seem to have nappy access. Thank you xx

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful child! I love that you are dressing baby like baby. This reminds me of the stuff my Mother sewed for us as children.

Meg the Grand said...

So adorable! Love the fabric - it's so cheery :)

Sharon said...

Dolores looks so cute n her new romper!

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