10-Step Sleeper Dress

Sweet pea Sleeper Dress

 

With the remaining fabric, from the onesie and pair of pants, I created an adorable sleeper dress. Below is a quick tutorial to guide you through the simple process. I hope you enjoy and create something special.

 

 

To Begin:

 

 

Step 1:

Measure garment from shoulders to bottom of feet.

Step 2:

 

Take a shirt that fits well and trace 1" outline around the garment. Use previous measurements to determine how long the dress will be. To make the fold-overs on the shoulder, make a point as shown above.

 

Step 3:

Make a front and a back. Note: The collar on the back side comes up almost 1" higher than the front side.
 

Step 4:



Create a 1/2" hem on both collars and both bottoms by pinning and sewing each.

Step 5:

With right sides of fabric facing each other, sew sides from heart to heart. Trim excess fabric to reduce bulk.

Step 6: 

With fabric still inside-out, fold pointed flaps over. The back flaps go on the inside and the front flaps go on the outside. Pin in place.

Step 7:

Create a sleeve by using the arm hole as a guide. Allow for a 1/4" seam on the underarm as well as a 1/2" hem on the cuff. *Note: The top of the sleeve was placed on the fabric fold, making a tube when sewn on the bottom.

 

Trace and cut the first sleeve, on the fabric fold again, to make the other sleeve.



Step 8:

With sleeve inside-out, pin and sew a 1/2" hem on the cuff of both sleeves. Pin and sew a 1/4" seam on the bottom of both sleeves. Keep sleeves inside-out.

 

 Step 9:

Pin sleeve to arm hole on dress, lining up the seam on bottom. Tuck sleeve into dress for easier sewing. Sew a 1/4" seam around- ensuring that all layers are sewn. Trim any excess fabric. Repeat for other sleeve.

Step 10:



Turn right-side-out, wash and enjoy!




Don't be afraid to try this at home. It was really easy and took maybe an hour! I encourage any and all feedback.
Thank you, as always, for reading. -Racheal ;-)

Lily Eileen

10-Step Cloth Diapers

Diaper Cover and Soak Pad

 

We spend $20 or more a week on diapers. Since I didn't "go green" with my Lovey, I decided to give it a try this go 'round. I can't wait to make these adorable little diapers for my Lily.

 

My results:
First Diaper

The instructions for the pattern I have weren't very clear- even with the pictures. Also, the pattern only gives two options: diaper with pocket (for soaker pad inside) or diaper with soaker pad (against baby's skin).

 

I chose the pocket pattern with soaker pad inside the diaper.

 

 

The idea and simplicity of the pattern (not so much the instructions) has inspired me to try again but make it better! There is a third option. I will make it my mission this week to make this pattern really work for me.

A tutorial is in order for the future diapers.

 

 

**UPDATE**

 

Below is a short tutorial for making these cloth diapers.

 

 

To Begin:

Step 1: 





Trace pattern onto fabric. Be sure that the straight side is on the fold of the fabric. Cut one lining and one waterproof outer fabric. Also, cut two or three rectangle layers of fabric and sew together to make a soaker pad.



Step 2:

Measure, cut, then sew the loop side of your Velcro on the right side of outer fabric across the top.

Step 3:

Sew the soak pad in the middle of the wrong side of the lining fabric.

 Step:4



With the Velcro side of outer fabric lying face-up, put the liner fabric on top with the soak pad face-up. Sew a 3/8" seam all around diaper except the red part pictured above.

Step 5:

Add elastic on the back and legs. Take your elastic and sew each beginning and end to garment. *Note: The fabric will bunch together and this is intentional. Only do one piece of elastic at a time. It's easier :) After beginning and end is sewn down, stretch the elastic until diaper lays flat and sew a zigzag through the elastic from beginning to end. Do this for back and each leg. Below is what the diaper looks like with all elastic pieces attached.



 

 Step 6: 



*Note: If using a waterproof outer fabric, use sealer on inside of all seams before turning right-side-out.
Turn diaper right-side-out and sew closed the hole above the Velcro.

Step 7:

Add topstitch outlining the elastic parts of the diaper. To do this: pull fabric straight and sew on the outside of the elastic, NEVER through. This gives a casing for the elastic to stay in place; closest to the seam.

 Step 8:

Measure, cut, then sew Velcro hook onto both tabs of diaper.

 Step 9:

Apply seam sealer to all topstitching if using waterproof fabric. Wash diaper inside-out with Velcro fastened. Hang dry if using waterproof fabric.

 

Step 10:

Enjoy!



Baby Lily in her new diaper.

 

Thank you for reading. I hope this helps you try to go green with your baby. Please comment or email me any questions or results that you may have.