Mummy Ask and I were out and about recently and saw a lady wearing one of these rompers. I knew Mum was in love and that Sister Ask would be too. I told Mum that I thought the romper was just a series of rectangles and I could probably make one. A few days later, Mum found one in an op shop! How’s that for luck? Of course we had a good look at how it’s constructed. Yep, rectangles! And you know how I said Sister Ask would like it? Turns out she had a version at home. I whipped out my measuring tape and both Mum & Sisters rompers were the same in size.
This is easy to make but it’s really hard to understand how two big rectangles and four little ties can make this ‘all in one’ garment. In fact, I struggled to explain it to the Bestie, even with pictures. Luckily for you, Mr Ask is a complete genius and he whipped up a little computer animation that shows both how it’s made and how it’s worn. If you are making one these yourself you might need to watch a few times. It should be showing below but if you are having trouble loading it, click this link.
This is one of those ‘one size fits most’ deals. For the one size version, you’ll need 3.25 mtrs or 3.5 yds of 112cm or 44″wide fabric. If you are taller or plus size, you’ll need a little more. As I am plus size, I needed 3.75 mtrs or a touch over 4 yds. The fabric should be lightweight and drape well, we chose a 100% rayon in black for everyone. Basically, the longest edge of the rectangle forms the centre front, crotch and centre back seam – all in one. So the taller/bigger you are, the longer that edge needs to be. Rayon and similar fabrics fray – a lot! So I overlocked my seams. I was using Mums 70’s vintage three thread overlocker, so I stitched my seams on the sewing machine before overlocking (I may not have bothered if I was using my 4 thread). I think overlocking is the simplest way but you could zig zag. You could probably make French or Hong Kong seams work too but since your seams then become hems, it could be awkward at those points and you’d need to do a test swatch and figure it out. You’ll see what I mean as you follow through the steps.
For the ‘one’ size I needed to cut 2 x rectangles 160 cm or 63″ by 89cm or 35″. For my larger version I needed 2 x rectangles 185.5cm or 73″ by 89cm or 35″. The additional length is in what becomes the crotch seam, as I said before. As my fabric was folded in half, straight from the bolt, I left it that way. I measured the 63″ (or 73″ plus size) along the fold and 17.5″ up from the fold. I did this twice for each romper. A clear, grided ruler makes this much easier! Keep the skinny offcuts to make your straps.
I didn’t want to confuse which bit went to which bit, so I laid my two rectangles on the floor, right side up, so the two long edges were aligned and made a chalk mark along the 8 edges that would become my bust/back covering bits.
As I said earlier, you have seams that become hems, eg. That centre front seam becomes the bust triangles, which are hems. So on the marked corners, I marked down 10”/25cm and I overlocked the single piece of fabric. The bust corners are not that long once all is sewn but it gives you some extra assurance that all raw edges are encased, once the seam is sewn.
Now match you long edges, right sides together. You should have overlocking at each end of those long edges. Pin along the edges, then mark 8.5” in from each overlocked edge. Sew from one 8.5” mark to the other. Use a 1/4” seam allowance and a regular straight stitch, back stitch at the beginning and end. You can now overlock the seam but don’t start exactly at the 8.5” mark, start somewhere between the 8.5” mark and where the first bit of overlocking stops. The idea is to have enough space to press and sew the hem bit (next step) but still cover all of your raw edges.
Fold a ¼” hem back on all four of the the unsewn 8.5” sections of the seam and press. Sew the hem, down one side, pivoting and sewing across the bottom area (where the seam starts) and back up the other side. You’re are making a little 3 sided box that create a hem around what will be a bust bit. Kind of like putting in a regular zipper.
Now that two of the long edges are sewn together in a seam, it’s time to deal with the two other long edges. I overlocked mine and pressed them up ½” hem. Make sure that once you have pressed up the hem, the overlocked edge is on the wrong side, pointing towards the seam you just sewed. Stitch down the hem on both long sides. Straight stitch and backstitch at the beginning and end. These are your leg hems.
At this point you should have a long side with a leg hem, a middle seam and then a long side with a leg hem. Keeping that layout, fold it in half, right side together, so that the raw edges are aligned. Pin from one hem all the way along, until you get the the small bust hem you made and then pin from bust hem to leg hem. Measure in 8.25” from each bust hem (these are 1/4 “ smaller to account for the bust hem you have already made). Sew from leg hem to the 8.25” mark and then from 8.25” mark on the other side, to the leg hem. You can go ahead and overlock that seam but as before don’t start exactly at the 8.25” mark, start somewhere between the 8.25” mark and where the first bit of overlocking stops. The idea is to have enough space to press and sew the hem bit (next step) but still cover all of your raw edges.
Fold a ¼” hem back on the unsewn 8.25” sections of the seam and press. Sew the hem, down one side, pivoting and sewing across the bottom area (where the seam starts) and back up the other side. You’re are making a little 3 sided box that create a hem around what will be a bust bit. Now, take a deep breath! You have basically made this, just straps to go!
You need 4 x 20” straps now. I am a lazy individual, so I took one of my long offcut pieces that was at least 80” long and folded it over as I was sewing, just keeping the fold ¼” from my needle (i.e. just sewing the width of my pressor foot). It seemed easier because even if I had cut the fabric strip to size, I would need to trim the seam. I just trimmed off the excess once I was done (leaving about 1/8” of seam allowance). I cut my long tube into 4 x 20” pieces and turned them right side out using a tube turner gadget (so very handy!), if you don’t have one, I recommend this method. Once the straps were right sides out, I pressed them flat with the seam to one side.
I, or more accurately, Mum turned one ends of each strap in a little and hand oversewed it shut. C’mon, I sewed up three of these over two days, I’ll take any help I can get! I put the raw edge of the strap, good side up (why is there always a good side when you press straps?) on the wrong side of bust triangle point. If it looks like the strap is going the wrong way, things are right. Sew a little seam here and backstitch. Now, flip the strap up so it is going the right way, and from the top, sew a little V shape to secure it. This hides the raw edge of the strap and provides reinforcement. Hey, that strap holds the whole thing on, right? Now repeat for the other three straps.
And woohoo! You’re done, you made it and Well now you can try your onesie/romper whatever on! Or if you are me, make the next two and then you’re done! And as you can see, even though Mum and Sister are different in size to me, we all look pretty darn COOL in our onesie/romper thing! And we will be cool when we wear these in those baking hot Australian summers! We all chose to style ours differently too. So you can see just how you can put your own stamp on it. We all just tied the straps according to our height, bra strap covering and neckline requirements. Honestly, you should give it a go! Speaking of giving things a go, both Mum & Sister Ask were brave enough to give modelling a go and letting me post their pics across the internets, so please give it up for them!! So special thanks to them for modelling and a also to my nibbling (did you know that that was the plural for both nieces and nephews? Like sibling but nieces & nephews….) Bayz who kindly played photographer for the day. So, three generations but one was behind the camera. Thanks Sweeties!!! Now go on and comment and tell them all how fab they really are xxxxx
7 Comments
OUTSTANDING! So glad I found this tute!!! Can’t wait to try it out for myself!
Thanks! I hope you find it easy to follow, it was difficult to explain! We wear these a lot, they are a fave. I’d love to see yours if you make one.
S xxx
This is the most adorable romper I have ever seen! Instead of making one for myself, (I am so much a blue jean/boots/peasant blouse old lady), I am making some for my granddaughters for summer. This is so fast, I think they are getting made tomorrow to go Easter egg hunting this weekend. You are just brilliant!
HI I am going to try and make this it is beyond cute. I am plus size and was wondering how you came up with the amount of fabric. I am rather short.
Umm I kind of guessed. But measure from where it will sit on your chest, through the crotch and you’ll know. For reference, my Sister is 5′ flat, Mum is 5′ 2″ and I’m 5′ 4″. If you have more Q’s email me.
Hope that helps,
S
Thank you so much for this tutorial, I gave it a try with some fabric I had on hand which meant I couldn’t get the full 35″ width out of it but I think it turned out ok! The little animation made me laugh when I first saw it but it was actually very helpful in making this romper! https://twitter.com/ajlobster/status/855580329482039301
Oh I love, love, love your version! Yes, the animation is a little weird but I just couldn’t think of a way to explain how all the bits come together. Luckily, Mr Ask had the skills to make it up because my animation skills are zero! I am so glad that you made your own romper and that it turned out so cute. We wear ours heaps.
S xx