Ruffles and Bows Romper Set

AAAedit

I was probably the furthest thing from girly when I was growing up.  On any given summer day, you could find me building forts and making mud pies out in the yard. My friends and I would ride bikes all day and play cops and robbers.  You might even call me a good old-fashioned Tom-boy!  I didn’t start to come into my “girliness” until I was an adolescent.  Even so, from the moment I learned I would be having a baby girl, I couldn’t help but think about all the precious little girl clothes and toys and frilly things.

My daughter has always loved all her little dolls and stuffed animals.  She is now starting to mimic Mommy and Daddy in showing her dollies affection and really starting to love them.  So when she received an American Girl Doll for her birthday, I couldn’t have been more thrilled.  Yes, I said “I couldn’t have been”! My daughter is just a year old, she doesn’t know to be excited for all the cute little matching clothes and the cafe and hair salon, so I have decided to be excited for her!  Those little matching clothes can get rather pricey though!

I found this incredible fabric the last time I was at the craft store and fell in love with it!  I mean any fabric that you don’t have to hem is definitely something worthy of my attention!  I, like just about any parent of a toddler, absolutely adore one piece rompers!  My son wore one piece rompers for two years (they stop making them after 24 mos. 🙁 ) With the idea of a one piece romper and this super “Ruffled Stretch Knit” fabric, a design was born.

Here are a couple more photos of the outfits and then we will start the super easy tutorial:

done33

Lainey and dolly3

You will want to start by measuring your girl and your doll.  measure from shoulder to midway down her thigh and around her waist and then the inseam.

Start with a Stretch Ruffled Knit fabric in whatever shade you like. Measure your child’s waste and add two inches to allow for both the seam allowance and comfort.

Do this at the top.

And the bottom.

Now pin all the way down... but, before you do, be sure all of your ruffles are facing the same way

Now pin all the way down… but, before you do, be sure all of your ruffles are facing the same way

You will also want to ensure that all of your rows match up pretty exactly. As it is stretchy material, this can be a bit tricky.

Now do the same to the dolly size fabric and cut both out after pinning.

Now do the same to the dolly size fabric and cut both out after pinning.

Sew a zig zag allowing for a 3/8" seam.  I do this because I like to double up the seam and the zig zag is to allow for the stretch of the fabric.

Sew a zig zag allowing for a 3/8″ seam. I do this because I like to double up the seam and the zig zag is to allow for the stretch of the fabric.

zig zag

zig zag (I am using a contrasting color thread so you can see what I am doing better, you will wan to match your color)

Now, fold the sewn fabric in half stopping at the seam to find the middle. This is where you cut just an 2-3 inches depending on the measurements you took of your child and of the doll.

This is what you should have. I like to baste here.

This is basted and I have started to reinforce the top where the cut ends… This reinforcement will stop any tearing that may occur.

Next cut ribbons to tie up at the shoulder. Be sure to add an inch or two to the back ribbons to accommodate for her back (as it should hang a bit lower than the front)

Attach the front ribbons about an inch further in than you have done for the back. This will help to prevent the frock from falling off her shoulders.

Be sure to do this under a ruffle and reinforce it really really well. I like a two spot reinforcement.

You will want to use a bit of Frey Check at the ends of all ribbons you use in this project.  If you don't have frey check, you could use a bit of fabric glue.

You will want to use a bit of Frey Check at the ends of all ribbons you use in this project. If you don’t have Frey Check, you could use a bit of fabric glue.

All you need to do is run the edge of your ribbon through the liquid.  I only use enough to coat the very edge of the ribbon.

All you need to do is run the edge of your ribbon through the liquid. I only use enough to coat the very edge of the ribbon.

Now onto the super bow I attached right to the front. Just wrap a bit of ribbon (5/8″) around your 4 fingers and tie off with another ribbon and spread.

At this point you can attach the bow really well in the center and then it’s a good idea to tac the ribbon down around the edges.

And there ya have it.

And there ya have it.

done1

Here is what the back looks like.

Here is what the back looks like.

done2

Lainey and dolly4

done4

Materials:

Ruffled Stretch Knit fabric

Matching thread

5/8″ ribbon (I used two different coordinating prints)

sewing machine

scissors

measuring tape

Frey Check

Patriotic Caterpillar Hair Bows

done1_edited-1It’s so much fun having a little girl!  I can’t wait to put these in my little Lainey-Bug’s hair this Memorial Day!  These little guys are easy peasy!  All you need are a couple of clips, 4 ribbons, two rhinestones, a pair of scissors and some hot glue!

Here, I’ll show ya:

Here are the clips I use… they are just simple clips. You can find them at your local craft supply.

Cover your clips with the red grosgrain ribbon.

Then, cut your three ribbons, red, blue and white, all the same size. This is important because you want to ensure you are making even sized circles. These are about 1 1/2″ long.

Make each of your little ribbon strips into circles. Secure with some hot glue.

Now, start securing each of the circles to the ribbon covered clip.

Now, start securing each of the circles to the ribbon covered clip. Start with the blue, tuck it in against where the clip starts to move up.

Now add in the white.

Now add in the white.

add antenas

Now cut about a two inch piece of metallic silver ribbon, fold and secure against the white ribbon.

Now, add in the red circle. Be sure to glue it all the way to the edge.

Next, pick up two little rhinestones.

Secure with some hot glue, be careful not to over glue here, you don't want gloppy eyes!

Secure with some hot glue, be careful not to over glue here, you don’t want gloppy eyes!

Look, they're racing!

Look, they’re racing!

Materials:

Red grosgrain ribbon, 3/8″

Navy blue grosgrain ribbon, 3/8″

White grosgrain ribbon, 3/8″

Metallic silver ribbon, 1/4″

rhinestones

hot glue

scissors

“Giggles and curls, ribbons and bows-
She’s so adorable from her head to her toes!”

Author: Unknown