Otis, the simple baby romper: Sewing Instructions

Step 1: Bindings

Two options

There are two ways to do the bindings. You can use it like double-folded bias binding, or just fold it in two and stitch that to the pieces. The double-folding will look nicer and more finished, but is a lot more involved.

Double-folded

• Fold both bindings along the long side in two, wrong sides together, and give it a good press.
• Mark the middle of each of the bindings (notch) and of the front and back parts.
• Attach the binding to the corresponding part, good sides together. Make sure you distribute the binding evenly along the edge.
• Sew just shy of the SA.
• Press the binding towards the edge and flip your part over.
• Now fold the remaining SA under and press.
• Sew this side of the binding to the part through all five layers.

Fold and stitch

• Fold both bindings along the long side in two, wrong sides together, and give it a good press.
• Mark the middle of each of the bindings and of the front and back parts.
• Attach the folded binding to the corresponding part, good sides together. Make sure you distribute the binding evenly along the edge. You should have three layers pinned together.
• Sew just shy of the SA.
• Press the binding towards the edge, pressing the SA towards the wrong side.
• Sew through the part and the SA underneath, holding the folded SA on the wrong side.

Step 2: Attach body parts

• Lay the back and front parts with the good sides up, tops facing each other.
• Lay the front part shoulders on top of the back part shoulders, aligning the notches on the left and right.
• Baste or pin together.

Step 3: Attach sleeves

• Mark the middle of the shoulder of each sleeve.
• Pin the sleeve to the two body parts, aligning the middle of the sleeve with the shoulder notch.
• Distribute the sleeve evenly along the opening.
• Sew the pieces together.

Step 4: Prepare snap placket

• (Optional) If your fabric is flimsy, or very stretchy, cut a piece of iron-on interfacing the size of the snap placket and iron it in place.
• Press the SA of the snap placket over, and then press the snap placket in two.
• Sew just along the inner edge on the snap placket.

Step 5: Body

• Press the sleeve SA and hem over, so it’ll be easier to sew the hem once you’ve done the next steps.
• Pin both front and back sides together, wrong sides out, from the leg opening all the way to the arm opening in the sleeve.
• Sew the whole seam on both sides.
• Turn the romper good sides out.

Step 6: Hem

• Fold the hems on the sleeves in.
• Sew them in place.

Step 7: Leg binding

• Fold the leg binding in two length-wise, wrong sides together, and press.
• Hold the ends good sides together, and sew the SA at the ends.
• Fold the binding back, wrong sides together.
• Pin the binding to the leg opening, matching the notch to the side seam, and the beginning and end to the snap placket.
• Sew this binding to the leg opening like you did with the earlier bindings.

Step 8: Snaps

• Mark the position of the snaps along the snap placket, evenly distributed.
• Install the studs on the good side of the back part, and the sockets on the wrong side of the front part.

Step 9: Done!

Give it a good press all around and take a moment to enjoy the new romper. This will be the last time it will ever look this nice.