Saturday, 16 July 2016

Little Kiwi's Closet, Flutterby Romper: How I Did...

Firstly, apologies I haven't blogged in a while. The old black dog has reared its ugly head again, and so I've been pretty cut off all week, That and its been a pretty busy week with commitments that I wish I didn't have too. I will detail my struggle with the black dog these last 4 years in another post, but for now lets concentrate on sewing :)
 
I have made the flutterby romper a couple of times for the girly and I really like it, mainly because again its a very versatile pattern and has a large size range. Great value for the home sewer :).

I had some of the fabric I got in the sale from Daisybuds fabric shop, which I made my dottie angel frock from.


 
This is a PDF pattern. This means that you can either just print and cut out the pieces you need or you can trace and copy them. I do the latter as it saves on paper. I decided for this version to do the neck ruffle and the long, wide leg trousers with an elastic cuff.
 
For this version, you sew the side seams on the bodice first, right sides together.




 
Next you cut a length of binding to bind the under of the arm holes.

 
I then did something unorthodox, and chucked a can of coke over the whole lot, so had to immediately wash and dry. I would recommend skipping this step haha.



 
Now sew the binding to the bottom of the arm hole, I chose to attach as normal:




 
Then fold to the inside.


 
Next is the neck ruffle. Firstly sew the two ends together to make a circle.

 
You can either finish the bottom edge off with a folded hem or a rolled hem. I quite like doing rolled hems so I chose this option. My rolled hem foot:

 
As you can see you gently fold the fabric so it fits into the end of the rolled hem foot. You use the largest zig zag stitch, and take it SLOOOOOOOOOWLY!





 
This is how it looks, one hemmed edge, one raw edge.

 
Now, take the neck ruffle and place it wrong side to right side of the bodice, folding approx. 1/4" over the raw edge of the bodice if the raw edge of the neck ruffle.

 
You then turn over another approx. 3/8" to make the elastic casing. I ironed this as it seamed easier :)




 
As you can see as it is a raglan top, the neck ruffle kind of makes the top of the sleeves.


 
Leave a gap when sewing to thread the elastic.




 
Once the elastic is threaded through and you have sewn the ends together sew the gap shut.

 
Bodice and neck ruffle done! :)

 
Now the trousers. Place right sides together and sew the side and crotch seams.




 
Once this is done you finish the inseam. You can either add poppers or just sew. I decided to just sew as its this romper is very easy to slip on and off.

 





 
Now you decided how you are going to finish the trouser hem. I decided to use elastic. I folded over the hem twice to make a channel for the elastic.



 
Once again leaving a gap to thread the elastic through, which you sew closed once you have sen the elastic ends together.





 
I find this next bit the most awkward of the whole pattern. You place the trousers inside the bodice, right sides together. Leaving the bodice approx. 2cm shorter than the trousers.


Sew


 
Fold over the raw edge, to make an elastic channel.





 
As before, thread and finish the elastic and casing.







Finished! This is age 2 years. So they each have plenty of growing room:)

 
And these are two others I made for the girly, in age 10 years and 9 years. I did the short sleeve version, with shorts for both these.


 
I do love this pattern. The instructions are so very easy to follow, it is very versatile. You can make one for every season. With the raglan sleeves it is practical and easy. Because the bodice is separate from the bottoms you can easily be creative with your fabric patterns. I highly recommend this. I would say it is a beginners pattern.


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