Vintage Style for Kids - playsuit/ bubble romper

This is a detailed pattern review for the playsuit out of "Vintage Style for Kids" (book by Fiona Bell) ... 2 versions from exactly the same pattern. The "Three Bears" romper is missing the pockets and bow and has added buttons instead.

... Last week I got this book from the library "Vintage Style for Kids" by Fiona Bell. One pattern in there made me embark on the project of turning this:

into this: ... (this is a photo of a page in that book):

 So I've been busy this weekend printing, sticking, cutting ... and more cutting... and sewing. I find cutting out the fabric the most tedious part. I can't publish the pattern as it's from the book, but I suggest, should you want to make this, just go to your local library and see if they stock a copy.  I also read a few reviews on Amazon which said that there were some mistakes on the patterns.
In this particular case the pattern worked fine apart from the fact that the corners weren't marked showing me how to piece it together. I just puzzled a bit until the pieces started making sense. I read a review saying that the front piece for the legs was upside down. It's not. In my case, I sewed the pockets on as per pattern... no problem. Unless the pattern on the cd had been changed since that last review, the person wasn't right to make such an unfair claim.
The are a few patterns that I really liked (another pair of dungarees and a baby dress, which I will also make before returning the book).

Here the process to give you an idea how this book is set up:
1. Print pattern from pdf file onto A4 sheets and cellotape them together:

 2. Cut them all out:

3. Pin paper onto the fabric and cut according to instructions on pattern pieces:

 

I haven't had problems with the actual size. I just fully trusted the pieces, cut the fabric accordingly and all pieces matched up perfectly. In that sense I can't fault the book on this particular project. This book does assume you have some knowledge when it comes to little detail such as taking bulk out of seams, using iron on backing for pockets, bows or neck line etc ... I decided to add that to give the romper more structure and stability. 

Here the making of the bow after ironing on the backing ... sewing both sides together:

 

Here one bow in the making and the other ready to be gathered in the middle .. the other onewith bulk taken out form the seam and ready to tun right side out:

 

...The pockets with added backing:

Due to the fabric print it's hard to see in this picture . ... this is just to show the pockets & bows sewn onto the front part of what's going to become the pants:

You then need to sew the 4 fabric pieces of the leg together (leaving the crotch open as you will add buttons there for conevenience when nappy changing ;-)) which will resemble some very large pants. Then gather the fabric around the top part of the pants. I do it by running a zig zag stitch along the top over a cord, which I then pull to give the desired gather & width.

 

Now sew the bodice as described in the book. The first picture shows the romper almost finished. There are some safety pins in the crotch area ...

 

... and here the finished piece. Alice loves it and it's very comfy. What else occured to me during the making is the fact that vintage pants (such as this romper and also the dungarees from the book that I'm planning to make) have bigger bottoms. I use washable nappies at home and have found it very frustrating not to be able to let Alice wear trousers at home. It's one reason for why I mostly let her wear dresses with tights. It is therefore great to be able to make things that will fit and I suppose in the old days nappies made large baby botties ... very large ones indeed!! ;-) So, if you have the same problems, have some sewing experience and are missing a library that stocks this book, I do recommend buying it.

How to make nappies for "My first baby Annabel"

Whilst I meant to carry on with the playmat, Alice decided she was going to occupy it with her toys just after I'd pinned the baking in place ... typical. So, instead while she happily plays with her dolls, I will publish the pattern and explain how to make them.

I had to add above pictures to prove, Alice really does play with it. She takes the nappies off and puts them back on repeatedly every couple of minutes or so ... hope your kid will love them too should you have bothered sewing some up!! :-)

You will need:

1. some fabric (I used an old shirt)
2. some muslin to make liners from
3. about 5cm of velcro
4. your sewing machine & thread ;-)
5. and the pattern ... download here. The pattern is very simple and in this case I just quickly cut it out of old newspaper. Please add 1.5cm seam allowance as that's not included.

Here the importatnt detailed pics:

start making:

1. Cut out 2 pieces of fabric from the pattern (ensure you add the seam allowance!!)
2. place them right sides together and pin
3. sew all around but leave an opening at the front to turn them right side out.
4. fold the fabric part that hasn't been stitched to the inside to give a clean edge
5. Press
6. sew all around the outside
7. Place the soft part of the velcro at the front of the nappy as shown in the picture (the longer strip) and stitch on
8. cut 2 smaller pieces (approx 1.5cm wide) from the scratchier velcro side (not sure how to call it :-() and place one on each side and stitch on place.
9. Done!!

now the liner

1. cut a piece of muslin to the size of 20cm x 17cm
2. fold the edges (about 1.5cm on each side) to the inside
3. press
4. now fold the piece of muslin in half with the untidy edges on the inside. The final liner should be the size of 17cm long x 7cm wide
5. sew all around the edge.
6. Done :-)

very quick and easy. good luck!!

How to make a moses basket for a 5" doll - free pattern

I little while ago I made a moses basket for Alice's little doll. Alice loves carrying bags around and playing with her baby dolls, so a Moses basket seemed the ideal toy. To start, download and print the pattern here.

You will need:

1. wadding
2. outer fabric
3. fabric to be used as a sheet
4. some lace and buttons if you fancy

For the actual basket:

1. Begin by cutting out the base twice from the outer fabric and once from the wadding
2. Cut out:
1. either two 58cm long and 8cm wide or one 58cm long and 14cm wide strip of the outer fabric 
2. one 58cm long and 7cm wide strip of wadding
3. place moses basket base wadding between moses basket base fabric. (like a sanwich. rigt sides on the outside)
4. stitch them together around the outside and if you like, do some quilting and stitch some squares across the base to hold the wadding in place.
5. do the same with the sides. If you cut 2 strips for the side, you will need to stitch them together on one of the long sides, right sides facing each other. The fold over so that the right sides are showing and press. Please the wadding in between and stitch it into place by running the sewing machine around the top and bottom edge of the side. (I wish I had taken photos at the time ... I hope my description makes sense to you!)
6. Pin the side around the bottom of the moses basket and stitch it together.
7. Also close the still open side of the side strip by stitching it together on the inside of the moses basket.
8. You are now done with the main part of the basket. You can now add buttons and make the handles. To do so, cut out two 32cm long and 5cm wide strps of your main fabric. 
9. Fold the raw edges to the inside, press and stitch along the length of each handle to ensure they stay folded over.
10. sew the handle onto the moses basket. The buttons are purely decorative.
11. Now you can make the sheet. - Again, cut out 1 base and a 58cm long and 8cm wide strip of fabric for your intended fabric and a 58cm long strip of lace, which should be at least approx 4.5cm wide.
12. pin and then sew the lace onto the side strip of the sheet.
13. pin and sew the side strip to the sheet that will cover the base and close the open seam of the strip.
14. Place the sheet into the basket and sew some pillows and a divet to go with it.

Enjoy - and please let me know if you have any questions as it is difficult to describe each step without a picture to go.

Very comfy and simple toddler dress - free pattern

This dress is a really simple and quick make. It will fit a toddler between the ages of 12-24 months, but you can easily adapt the pattern to fit a taller or smaller baby.

To begin, have some fabric ready (you could easily recycle old clothes/ sheets etc this way), your sewing machine, scissors, thread and download the pattern here.

1. fold your fabric in the middle. Place the pattern on the fold and cut out. You will need 4 pieces in total (1 front and 1 back from the outer fabric and then 1 front and 1 back from the lining).
2. Make a cut for the front neck opening into one of the outer fabric pieces and same for one of the lining pieces.
3. Pin right sides of the outer fabric together and sew the sides and shoulders.
4. Pin right sides of lining together and again sew sides and shoulders. 
5. Place the "dress" consisting of the lining over the "dress2 made from outer fabric. They should be right sides together.
6. Pin in place and sew around the neck area and arm holes
7. Turn the lining to the inside of the dress.
8. press
9. You now only have the bottom edge of the skirt to sew together. Easiest would be to fold the edges to the inside, press and then machine stitch  outer and inner fabric edge together.
10. Now just add a bitton and bitton hole to the neck. Done!

It's easy to add ineterest to this simple dress by adding different types of pockets or applique.

Here are my attempts. Please let me know if you have any questions or you find a major mistake on this side. I want to give clear instructions. Unfortunately I didn't take any photos at the time I made the dresses, but maybe some will follow later as this is so simple and quick and I might do it again :-)

 

Happy sewing!