As promised, I've completed Izzy's petti romper and I can't wait to share it! I've seen these everywhere for portraits lately, and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out. For starters, head over to Frame Worthy Shot for the full tutorial that I followed. Then, look below for my small alterations to her tutorial.
Materials
-lace (I used about 10 or so yards of 1 1/2" flat [non-elastic] lace. I wouldn't go any larger than 1 1/2" wide ribbon, but I wouldn't go smaller than 1")
-coordinating satin lining (I ordered a yard, but it only takes about half)
-elastic thread on a bobbin
-thread that matches your lace, and matching bobbin
-3/4" elastic
1) I cut my lining into a rectangle. Mine was 30"x15"for my 11 month old, but she's on the smaller side
2) Once I had my rectangle, I sewed a 1/4" hem on the bottom of the romper, and a 1" hem at the top to accommodate the elastic.
3) Next, start sewing that lace on! I ordered my lace online from Lace Heaven. They have a huge selection and it is very reasonable. I started at the bottom and began sewing the lace onto the satin lining using the elastic thread on the bobbin. Turn your tension all the way to up (to "0" on my machine). If you've never used elastic thread, you might want to practice on some spare fabric just to get a feel for it. You also may want to draw a guide line on your satin before sewing on each layer of lace. Work your way up the romper, sewing the lace on in horizontal rows, making sure to reverse stitch at the beginning and end of each row to secure the elastic thread.
4) When all your lace is sewn on, fold the scrunchy rectangle so that the lace is on the inside. Put your regular thread in the bobbin, and stitch the resulting tube shut with about a 1/2" seam allowance. Don't sew the top hem shut so you can still put your elastic in. You may want a bigger seam allowance if you need to make it smaller. You can just cut off the excess.
5) Once you have your lovely ruffled tube, pull the elastic through the top so it fits your little one and stitch the ends together. Once you have that done, stitch your tube the rest of the way shut.
6) Finally, turn your romper right side out, and, using a straight stitch, sew about a 1/2" seam in the center on the bottom to create little leg holes. You really don't need much of a seam unless you want the "shorts" part longer.
And now for the best part- try it on your baby! I got the pleasure of seeing this on Izzy at around 4 in the morning the other day when she decided to wake up from 3 until 7:30 am. Although I haven't tried making one with elastic lace like Frame Worthy Shot did, I think using regular lace with elastic thread in the bobbin is easier because you don't have stretch the lace out as you sew, but do whatever seems easier for you! So excited for Izzy's pictures so I can see her posing in all of the cute outfits I have for her!
~Annie
