The Craft Cotton Company have a very exciting throwback fabric range coming out in 2019, Miffy! The collection includes cottons in blues, greys and pinks with an ABC panel too. I was really excited to have been given three to play with for their upcoming trade stand. With the blue I instantly knew I needed to dig out the dungarees I made for my little man when he was a few months old. I drafted the pattern based on one of my favourite outfits he was in at the time and made him several in various fabrics. I would put it at around age 3-6 months.
I have used 1/2" seam allowance throughout. This is a reasonably simple pattern to follow with the most tricky bit being the button holes. Allow up to three hours to finish it. As this is lined it is important that you pre wash your fabrics first. If you don't there is the chance they will shrink differently.
YOU WILL NEED
Cutting mat and rotary cutter
Sharp scissors
4 Kam Snap pairs
Kam Snap tool
4 buttons
Sewing machine
Iron and ironing board
Elastic 2.5" pieces x2
METHOD
1. First you need to print out an assemble your pattern. There are 3 pieces. Join the two front parts and two back parts where indicated. Ensure your 1" mark measures 1" when printed.
You will need to cut the following:
2 front panels in Miffy fabric
2 front panels in lining
2 back panels in Miffy fabric
2 back panels in lining
4 straps (1.5" x 9.5") in Miffy fabric
2 Top front bib in Miffy fabric
I have used the new Miffy fabric as the main fabric and some of my basics range cotton for the lining. This is heavier than normal lining so if you want it more lightweight for summer, you could use a normal cotton lining. Accurate cutting is super important for this pattern.
2. Sew your first batch of pieces:
Front - With right sides together, sew the front panels together at the centre. The centre is the bit that curves out. Repeat with lining.
Back - sew the back panels and repeat with lining.
Front top section - right sides together, sew the sides and top edge of the front bib.
Straps - right sides together sew the sides and bottom edge of the straps.
3. Clip your corners and curved edges.
4. Turn your straps the right way using something pokey to push the corners out. Turn your front top panel to the right way. Press all your pieces so far (I press the lining and front fabric seams in opposite directions but it doesn't matter which way round).
5. Top stitch the straps and front bib piece.
6. Sew the front to the back at the sides for the main fabric and the lining. I have over locked the edges even though they will be hidden. I learnt that 3-6 month old babies wiggle A LOT. This is the age they learn to roll and crawl so it is best to be safe and avoid split seams.
7. Turn your lining the right way round and place it inside the main fabric so the right sides are together. Match up and pin all your seams first. I have then placed the straps, just a seam allowances width from the edges and pinned them into the back.
8. Find the centre of your front top piece by folding it in half and pressing a little crease into it. Line the centre with the front middle seams and pin this in-between the fabric and lining. Pin all the way around ready to sew. When you have sewn all the way around the top, clips the corners of the back piece so you can push them into a neat point.
9. The first time I made them I loved the look of them off but on they didn't sit well. I learnt that adding some elastic under the arms really helps.
Place your elastic on the seam allowance, an inch from the front bib section, back stitch it into place. Now pull it and sew it into the seam allowance, back stitch at the end. You may need to judge the length of your elastic yourself depending on how much stretch it has. When you release it will gather. Repeat on both sides.
10. Turn your romper the right side out and press the top edge.
11. You now need to press a seam allowance by 1cm all the way around both Miffy and lining.
12. Pin your Miffy and lining together. It will look like a funny shaped dress at this point. Sew close to the edge all the way around.
13. You are now ready to add your KAM snaps. I love this gadget! I made a lot of dribble bibs when my dude was little so this gadget was invaluable.
I have not measured the distance but just added 4 poppers evenly by eye. When I made this for the first time a few years ago I added 3 poppers. Adding them on the seam is really hard and not as secure so I learnt my lesson and have done 2 either side since.
14. Now for the button holes. You could make more use of your KAM snaps and save yourself a lot of time by using them instead of buttons but I love a button and think they finished of the dungarees.
My Janome machine has a great button hole option and came with the foot. If you are looking into a new machine, this is a feature you definitely need to look for. All machines will be different so I won't go into detail on how to make your button holes. I would recommend you do a practise on some scraps before you start. This will also help you work out where to start.
15. My machine can add buttons but I still prefer to add them by hand. I have added two to each strap 3cm and 5.5cm from the end of the straps.
You are finished! If you give it a go, I would love to see so I can add you to my Your Gallery page.
