You have no idea how exited I was when The Ribbon Retreat started to carry Lace! Lace is SO popular right now and there are SO many things you can do with it! I am so excited for my daughter to wear this for her 1 year photo shoot! I used Brown, Pink and Off White Flora Lace and I love the way it looks together! This is a beautiful lace with a modern look to it.
-Supplies-
Flora Lace (about 4 yards)
Thread
Stretchy knit fabric (I used less than 1/2 yard for my 12 month daughter)
1″ Elastic (length depending on child’s chest circumference)
Vanishing Marker
The fabric I used for this outfit is a stretchy knit. I liked using a stretchy knit fabric because you don’t have to finish the edges. They just curl up a little bit. I did not have to do a bottom hem, and I only did one fold for the elastic casing at the top. Also, I wanted this to be pretty tight on my baby girl. My fabric was ribbed and I made the ribbing go vertical. It has more stretch that way.
The photo above is attempt #1. Yes, me and my Seam Ripper became very close during this project! 🙂 First of all I started at the top. Who would do such a thing when adding ruffles? I’m embarrassed to say ME! Starting at the top made it very hard to sew the lace on in a straight line, the lace from the row above would get in the way… duh! I also started out using my ruffler foot. The ruffler foot has sharp teeth that push the fabric (or lace in this case) into a ruffle. These teeth were not kind to the lace. I had to put the ruffler foot into time out for this. HA
The second thing I tried didn’t work out either. I tried gathering the lace with the sewing machine and then pinning it on. The lace was a little out of control after I gathered it. I just wasn’t loving that method for some reason. (I’m definitely not an expert seamstress in any way). I know there are many of you reading this who are much better at sewing than me… try not to laugh too hard at me! If you have any advice for me I’d be thrilled to learn from you! If you are a beginner maybe you’ll want to do this the way I did. I decided to pin my ruffles in place and sew them down row by row starting at the BOTTOM! It might not be the best way but I liked the results the best.
I was thinking maybe I could shirr (use elastic thread in the bobbin) the lace onto a non-stretchy fabric next time and see how that turns out. Hmmm 🙂 That could look pretty cool. It does in my head right now anyway! 🙂
First I determined the length and width of my fabric. My daughters chest circumference is 17″. I added 6″ to this measurement.
Width— Take your child’s chest measurement and add 6″.
Length — Measure from arm pit to desired length. Add around 1 1/2″ to this measurement for the elastic casing at the top (depending on the size of elastic you choose).
I had my length go a little past the knee. My fabric was 23″ wide and 15″ long for my 12 month old daughter.
First make your elastic casing by folding the fabric over and sewing it down. (This casing is width wise NOT length wise).
After your casing is finished fold the fabric in half width wise to find the center. Mark the center with a Vanishing Marker.
The casing is the top and you are going to make leg holes at the bottom.
In the center of your fabric use a vanishing marker to trace a half circle to your fabric. The circle should be about 3″ wide and 1 1/2″ to 2″ tall. I just used something from the kitchen that was about that size.
Cut out the half circle. Voila now you have leg holes! (After you sew your half circle closed that is). Don’t sew it closed until after you sew the lace on though.
I used my vanishing marker and a ruler to make a grid. If I could go back I wouldn’t do the vertical lines, they proved to be unnecessary. I was going to fold the lace on each vertical line but I liked the gathers to be more sporadic.
I put the horizontal lines 1″ apart. The Flora Lace is 1 1/2″ so when spaced 1″ apart the lace overlaps nicely.
I took the lace and pinned it onto my fabric folding it over about every inch. I cut the lace when I came to the edge of the fabric.
The photo above is how I created the folds. I made a “ripple” in the lace, then pinned it down.
I pinned the lace and then cut it when I got to the edge. That way I never had too short of a piece for some reason. I sewed the lace on row by row, working my way from the bottom to the top.
Here’s how the back looks.
Now it is time to put the elastic into the casing. Cut your elastic to the size of your child’s chest, put the elastic in the casing using a safety pin or an Easy Turner (which is what I used). They sure are nice to have around!
Take the elastic all the way though so that you have elastic poking out each side of the casing. Overlap the elastic and sew it together making sure it is not twisted.
After the elastic is sewn together, close the opening shut by overlapping the fabric and sewing it in place. (Over the elastic). Pictured below. This is one of those times it is nice to be using the knit fabric. You don’t have to worry about any raw edges.
Now put the edges together and sew them shut. Don’t forget to backstitch. 🙂
Start sewing all the way up at the casing so there isn’t a little hole.
Almost done! Now just to sew the crotch.
Pin the crotch (where you cut out the half circle). Make sure the bottoms of the leg openings match up.
Sew it shut, backstitching at start and finish.
Turn it right side out and you can be done if you want to!
I tried it on my baby girl and it didn’t stay up on her as well as I would have liked, so I decided to add straps.
I like to place clips where I want the straps to be while she is wearing it. I always seem to put the straps in the wrong place if I don’t do it this way. 🙂
I measured over the shoulder for the length of the straps and added an inch.
I cut 2 strips of fabric and lace to 7″ long and 1 1/2″ wide. I sewed the lace over the top of the fabric with 3 lines of stitching.
One on each edge and one down the middle.
Pin the straps on both sides (I put them below the casing) and sew them into place. You now have the cutest little lace petti romper there ever was!! Put this on your little girl and admire your good work!
Learn how to make matching lace bows Here.
Update: I got the pictures back from the photoshoot. Don’t you love the way this looks on? SO girly and cute!
31 Comments
I think it looks Great! Ruffles on top of any item are hard to sew in a straight line period. LOL! I just did a ruffled romper not too long ago and it took me 3 tries to get them straight and I’ve been sewing for about 8 years now. My teachers and I live by a rule of thumb too..”It ain’t sewing unless you have to take it apart and do it again”..LOL! If I forgive myself before I get started, then I usually don’t make many mistakes. She looks so cute in it! Great Job!
Thanks Lora. My Mom always says “EVERYONE has to seam rip, the pros just do it faster.” I’m getting faster all the time! haha
I love this!! I can’t wait to make my own!!! I have been debating trying a pettiskirt as well =/
Great job! It is adorable on her of course she is adorable so…
I do have one question wait let me read it one more time, before I ask. I have read it three so far…but kind of like measure twice cut once…can’t read too many times before asking a question. Okay here goes, just because I can not figure it out.
Why did you measure her waist for the elastic that was going in the casing at chest level?
I guess you caught a typo! I probably didn’t think about it because my daughter’s chest and waist measurement are the same. I will fix that. 🙂
Darling!!!
This is adorable! I currently make hair bows and headbands but can’t wait to get a sewing machine and start sewing! I’m wondering though if a snap button closure at the bottom wouldn’t be handier for diaper changing! 🙂
Hi i love this and want to attempt one, do you use elastic thread for the ruffles area? thanks
Hi Destiny! No elastic thread isn’t used. The ruffles are made by hand by pinning each fold in the ruffle down. Hope this helps! Thanks! 🙂
Cant wait to try it. Its gonna be my first sewing project for im expecting a baby girl and i just cant wait …
Thx!
I bet it will be so cute! Congratulations on your baby girl! 🙂 – Shirley
This tutorial seems very helpful and you put it so nicely to understand i cant wait to try it. Will be my first romper ever Im excited! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Good luck Sara! I bet it will be so cute! – Shirley
thanks so much I am a beginner sewer and I have a hard time understanding some people but YOUR awesome,I had no problem with any of it pictures included!wish me luck
Hi Neva! We are so happy to hear that! We’d love to see it when you’re finished with it. I am sure it will be beyond adorable! – Shirley 🙂
Thank you for the wonderful tutorial!!! I’m so excited to make this for MY daughters first birthday. She’s going to have a big dress for the party but for the cake smash I want a corrdinating petti romper! I LOVE IT!!! Thanks again! BTW your baby is beautiful, congrats!
That sounds adorable Stephanie! Your daughter is so lucky to have a mama like you! Have so much fun at her birthday party! Thank you for your comment. 🙂 – Shirley 🙂
OMG I love this its soo pretty and cute ! I want to make one for my daughter for her first birthday but I am a newbie at sewing these instructions make it look doable even for me although like you im sure ill have to try many times lol but im so excited thank you for the great tutorial !
I don’t know if you have gotten around to trying this by shirring yet but… shirring is the way to go. I make all of mine…about 20 a month…by shirring on the lace or fabric strips. I just take a rectangle of fabric (whatever size I need width and height) and then from bottom up I shirr. In this case your bottom will be to the right of the needle so the ruffles are loose. I shirr two lines 1/4 inch apart on each strip. one in the edge and one on the ribbon. After I get all the ruffle on I then cut out my crotch, neck, and arms. sew it up add details and done. I use a silky dress lining material as a base. It is not a stretch but it is light, feels good, and makes it look really “delux”.
I would love to make this for my daughters coming home outfit ..any ideas on how to estimate measurements since she’s not here yet??
Hi Adrienne! Thank you for your comment. Congrats on your little babe! That is so exciting. If it was me, I would get a newborn onesie and use measurements similar to the onesie. Good luck making this adorable romper and congrats again! Michelle 🙂
This is so precious, I love lace!! Do you know if a petti lace dress is kind of the same complex?
Hi Laura! Thank you for your sweet compliment and for your question. I think you could make a petti lace dress super easy using these same instructions and technique. Good luck and let us know how it turns out. Have a wonderful day! Michelle 🙂
Good morning, I am about to attempt to make two of these little rompers for newborn twin girls. My question is for newborn size would I still want to add 6 inches to chest measurement?
Thank you
Melissa
Hi Melissa! Thank you for your question! This Lace Romper is adorable, and your twins are going to look incredible in them! In regards to your questions, Cherie says that…1) Yes. You could still do 6 inches. That is to gather it up. 2) I would cut a piece for the front and back and do 1/4 inch seam down both sides and the leg holes are the same. Good luck with your rompers and congrats on your beautiful twin girls! Have a great day! Michelle 🙂
Greetings!
Thank you for such an amazing tutorial. I’ve been looking for a tutorial on how to make this beautiful romper but yours was the easiest, better one I found. I can’t wait to make it in purple and turquoise for my baby’s first birthday photo shoot.
Thank you again,
Sandra
Hi Sandra! Thank you so much! Your little one will look so adorable in this little romper! Your color choices are going to be awesome! Thank you again and have a wonderful day Sandra! Michelle 🙂
Wonderful collection!!! Thanks for giving such brilliant Lace Petti Romper an idea; I liked using a stretchy knit fabric. I want to make a dress for my little daughter but I have poor skills on dress sewing. Her father has recently ordered 2pcs. From an online store as MaMaLoNi, but I want to gift her lace petti romper that makes by me. This post has given me a good idea for making a good lace petti romper for her.
Hi Olya! Thank you for your comment! I am so glad you love this fun tutorial. Good luck creating your romper and thank you again for sharing! Have a wonderful day! Michelle 🙂
is the lace elastic?
Hi Monica! Thank you for your question. Yes, the lace is elastic. You can use non-stretch but the stretchy lace is more comfy for your little one! I hope this helps. Thank you again Monica and have a wonderful day! Michelle 🙂