Sometimes I get to sew for girls, mostly for my adorable niece, who is modeling this outfit. She’s a little peanut, so this romper is 6-9 month size and today I’m going to show you how I made it and share a free romper pattern.
To start, I used the Ruffled Bloomers pattern for the bottom. Visit that post for instructions to download the bloomers pattern.
This free pattern is in a size 6-9 months and the original ruffled bloomers were only size 3-6 months. However, all I did to size up was add 1/8″ to the side seams of the bloomers. Easy peasy. If you need to make the pattern bigger or smaller, check out this post. To get this pattern, click your preferred option from the buttons below as a newsletter subscriber or gallery access pass purchaser. Note that the free version of the pattern does not have printable instructions.
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Please note that all my free patterns are licensed for personal use only (no selling items made from this) and by downloading you are agreeing to this license.
Cut out the pieces according to the bloomer tutorial and the instructions on the romper pattern. Use all extra fabric to create ruffles for the bloomers. I did 4 rows instead of 3 like the original bloomers, and finished them with a rolled hem instead of making tubes to ruffle. That way I maximized my fabric usage.
Sew the ruffles onto the bloomer back, and sew up the side seams of the bloomers, then set them aside.
For the romper top, sew the two back pieces right sides together around almost all 4 edges, leaving a hole to turn right side out. Clip the corners.
Turn right side out and press, pressing the raw edges in, and topstitch all around, closing the raw edges (my raw edges aren’t pressed yet in the picture below).
Sew the straps into tubes right sides together, matching the long edges. Turn them right side out and press so that the seam is on the center back. On one end of each tube, turn the raw edges to the inside 1/4″, press and stitch closed.
Sandwich the raw edge of each strap between the top edges of the two front pieces, with right sides of the fronts together. Stitch as you did for the back piece, clip corners, turn right side out and press.
Pick the bloomers back up. Mark a line 7/8″ down from the top raw edge all the way around the bloomers. In the picture below, my line is just above the top ruffle.
Turn the bloomers inside out. Press the top raw edge toward the inside 1/8″.
Turn bloomers right side out again. Sew a basting stitch right on top of the line you marked on the top edge. Use that basting stitch to gather the bloomers to the same width as the front of the romper.
Pin the bottom edge of the front of the romper just over the basting/gathering stitch line.
Pin the back of the romper the same way – EXCEPT that the back romper piece will overlap the front romper piece at the side seams. My back piece is on the right in the picture below, and you can see it overlapping the romper front.
Sew around the top of the bloomers, right on top of the basting/gathering stitching.
Turn the romper front/back pieces up and press.
Turn the romper inside out, and pin the folded edge of the bloomer down to form an elastic casing. Stitch casing in place, leaving an opening to put in elastic. Be careful as you stitch over the gathered fabric and go slowly so that you catch all of it in the stitching.
Thread elastic through the waist casing you just made. Sew the ends of the elastic together and sew the casing shut.
Add snaps to the sides of the romper, the straps, and the back. I used a total of 6 snaps (two on each side, one on each strap/back combo).
Finish the leg casings as in the Ruffled Bloomers tutorial.
And then revel in the cuteness!
Chelle
NO comments? NO as in NONE?!! WTH?!! Well, I say Kudos Sugar!!! I read the whole thing just as if I had the perfect fabric up in the sewing room to make one! I love your tutes!!! I am surprised, NONE?!!! Comon peeps!! PROPS to this woman!!! So talented! Love that romper & NOT just cuz it is purple or has ruffles on the stinger or an adorbs cutie-bee inside, I LOVE it cuz it looks VERY well made!!!! Great job & THANK you for all your time & energy to put this all out here for us!!!! YOU ROCK!!!!
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momphotographer
this is just wonderful. and the tutorial is awesome!
putznanu
This is so cute! Thanks, I will definately be making this for the next “summer” baby in the family!
Mimi
Found this on Pinterest. So cute! Your little model is too =)
Rinat
I love it, finally found a free pattern (yours), thank u! Im gonna make this for my little girl, shes almost 10 months 🙂
Mary Lynne
How can this be enlarged for bigger sizes?
Melly Q
I’ve been searching for a romper pattern!!!!!!!!! 🙂 you rock. This is too cute!!!!!!
Melly Q
I’ve been searching for a romper pattern!!!!!!!!! 🙂 you rock. This is too cute!!!!!!
Thank you
Karra Grace
Absolutely love this outfit. This is just perfect for our Southern weather.
victoria mccomber
I accidently deleted my patterns you sent me, I’m intrested in the ruffled romper for baby girls can you send me a link for the free patterns again. thank you.
victoria mccomber
I already subscribed to your page last week, I’m waiting for an email confirmation so I can download the ruffled romper.
clarissa
OMG this is soo cute! thanks f or sharing
Jane
I just signed up, so I’ll comment! Beautiful! I’m thinking about ways I can adapt this (the bottom) to attach to a onesie for 11 week old Olivia!
Your site rocks and I’m so glad I found it! Thanks a million!
Karen
I was introduced to Melly Sews on Facebook. Thanks so much for the free patterns and tutorials! I have a question for you. What should I do to make this ruffled romper a size 3 months? Believe it or not, I want to make one for my big baby doll, Gracie. Santa brought her on my first Christmas, and she actually arrived in a polka dot romper similar to this, but since she is nearly fifty-five years old, that romper is loooooooog gone! 🙂 Gracie has lots of cute clothes and keeps me company in my sewing room, but she might be missing her original outfit.
Melissa Mora
Try googling “Threads Pattern Grading” for an article from Threads Magazine about grading, or changing pattern sizes.
Kathy
Thanks SO much for keeping this going! My first grand daughter was born exactly 2 weeks ago & I am looking forward to all the future sewing projects for her! This romper is SO cute! (& I like anything with ruffles on the rear for baby girls!) Your site is great & I WILL be returning OFTEN! THX AGAIN!!
JoAnn
Thanks Melly, I’ve just printed this to make for my grand daughter this week will post a pic when it it done …
JoAnn
MELanie
Just downloaded this pattern and plan to make it at the weekend
suttiz
thx
So cute
Lace Faerie
Another darling project for Littles! Thank you for sharing your talents!
Anna
I have 3 adult sons, 5 nephews & 3 grandsons. I’m SO jelly. ‘I might have to make this for my weiner dog, Snoopy. He doesn’t mind if I dress him in pinks & purples! Totes adorbs!
Chloe
Love the pattern, I just finished mine (in blue fabric with bunny rabbits and trees on it) it is super cute. I forgot to size up the bloomers but it still worked great and they look so pretty it just means there was less gathering, it was easy to follow with the perfect (well almost it just needs pressing) outcome all I need now is a cute little girl to go inside (maybe in a few years though, considering I’m a single 20 year old nursing student)
Thank you!!