Newborn clothes with Fabric Manipulation

Okay, so I’ve never made newborn clothes, and I think I might never do it again!  Trying to make something to fit over those giant noggins without uncomfortable buttons or bows is HARD.  Perhaps a pattern would have helped, but always overestimating my abilities I dove in without a clue what I was doing.

First, I decided to try some fabric dye sticks.  I drew a design on some white jersey knit, but I didn’t like the swirls so I just cut out the star.  Already off to a crazy start.

After that, I cut out a body suit shape based purely on what I thought would fit.  Ha!  I dug up one of my kids’ dolls, although he was too small.  Still, I used him for a bit of a model.  This was an absolute nightmare to make, and I am not in love with it.  I’m actually kind of embarrassed to give it to the friend I made it for.  What do you think?  This one does go on and off fairly easily, but it is also kind of short and wide.

My daughter then found her more anatomically correct baby doll (he wears real baby clothes) so I tried it on him (yes, my daughter has boy dolls… probably because she has brothers in real life.)  The ruffle sleeves were my attempt to make it feminine.  I think it works.  Definitely not my favorite creation, but it is what it is.  And it is kind of cute.

I made the star onesie as a “practice run” for the piece I really wanted to make my friend.  This whole thing started with a camo print handkerchief that I found in my stash.  I wanted to use the cuffs of the socks for arm bands, but beyond that, I didn’t have much of a plan.

Rooting through my things, I found some fabric “stamps” that you use an iron to apply.  So I got excited about using this for the Project Run and Play project.

But, being a couple decades old, it didn’t work.  So, ever the improviser, I used a pencil to tear through the paper and mark the deer onto my fabric.

But, pencil isn’t permanent, so I had the idea to embroider it.  Why not put dark fabric on the other side, and embroider with white thread?  So, there you have it.

Now, you see the finished edge?  I was originally going to make the side of the gown open.  In retrospect, I probably should have.  Anyway, these pieces were cut from a yellow bedsheet.  I love upcycyling.  It saves so much money!

I decided to go for an assymetrical hem. I love how that turned out.

Then I made the sleeves.  The cuff can be left down if her arms are long, or rolled up for shorter arms.

I made the head hole ENORMOUS, since dressing babies is SO hard, but I added elastic in the back.  I love the ruffle it forms.

Since my friend’s baby isn’t born yet, these photos on my daughter’s doll will have to do.