Having a granddaughter is so much fun. Don’t get me wrong – I still spoil my grandson (my daughter can attest to that!), but having a little girl to shop and sew for after 6 years of boy stuff brings all sorts of new fun to being “Nanny”! Like these DIY onesie dresses. Apparently onesie dresses have made their rounds on Pinterest and blogs for a couple of years, but they’re new to me since I’ve been in “little boy world” for a while.
It only takes about 1/3 yard of fabric to make these dresses for the 3-month size onesies. The amount of fabric you buy determines the length of the skirt section (minus an inch for the hem) that is sewn onto the onesie. You’ll also need the following to make these onesie dresses (this list contains affiliate links):
- sewing machine (this machine is on my wish list!)
- thread
- sewing scissors
- sewing gauge
- onesies
- elastic, bias tape, ribbon
- disappearing ink pen
For the placement of the skirt on the onesie, I measured down one inch below each arm hole seam. Then I made two tiny, light dots with a pen and then used a straight edge to make more dots to ensure my skirt would be sewn on straight. These dots are covered with skirt so I didn’t worry about using a disappearing ink pen. Although I’m sure I have one somewhere.
One of the ways to gather the fabric is to sew on a length of elastic. You pull the elastic while sewing.
I prefer to just use the good old basting stitch and pull the bobbin thread. Then I sew on some coordinating bias tape.
After the bias tape is sewn on, I trim the edge close to the bias tape, fold over, and stitch onto the onesie.
Of course I had to add some extras, like ribbon and lace.
You know you have way too much ribbon when you have some that matches your fabric exactly! And you know you have enough headbands if one matches the fabric perfectly!
Oh that sweet, little face!
You may also like to make these Fabric Flower Headbands to match!
These are adorable!! Great way to add fun to such a practical piece– thanks for sharing, I’ll share too 🙂
Thanks so much Mitzi! I appreciate the share! And yes, they are practical, too. Especially since the skirt doesn’t ride up under her arms when holding her.
These are adorable! About how large was the skirt piece? (I may have missed it.) I want to make one for a baby shower in a few weeks and don’t have a baby to measure. 🙂
Hi Amanda,
It only takes about 1/3 yard of fabric to make these dresses for the 3-month size onesies.
Adorable! (And the dresses are cute too!) 😉
Thank you Adrianne! We ADORE her!
The dresses are absolutely darling!!! LOVE!
Thank you Christine. They were so fun to make…I had to stop myself from making more!
Oh these are soooooo adorable!! We have a baby boy due in October, but a good friend with a girl due in November so I might have to try this for when she’s a little older!! Thanks for sharing, and cute pictures!! 🙂
Breanne
All of The Pretty Things Here
http://alloftheprettythingshere.com/the-choice-for-natural-childbirth/
Thank you Breanne! Congrats on the baby news! You will LOVE having a little boy – I guarantee it! Best wishes!
Your grandbaby is so sweet!!! And I love the little dresses ~ they’re simple but super cute.
Thanks Lori! And the best part is that they were so simple to make!
I’m so glad you shared this. I’ve been looking for a onesie dress pattern to make for my great great niece. Thank you for sharing!
Do you sew the back together or just leave it open?
Does it stretch with the onesie?
So cute.
Thank you
So cute! Thanks for sharing 🙂
yo
Well THIS wasn’t a thing when my daughter was a baby, or she would have worn nothing else! Isn’t it funny how you can be oblivious to a trend until it comes onto your radar!
I love these and your grand daughter is just so lovely too.
Jeannie, I followed your tutorial last weekend and made two cute onesie dresses for my niece’s babu shower. They were a hit!
yznz.com
While its recognition has been improving over the latest couple
of years, another common sort of acne-treatment was identified, the house made acne treatment products.
I’m a beginner sewer. When you sew the matching ribbon on top of the dress do you sew it onto the elastic? If so do you pull the elastic to stretch it as you see it on? Im worried I am going to see it on and the ribbon may not stretch with the onesie when I put it on her. I hope I am making sense. Thanks so much!!
Thanks Bobbi! We love checking out all the great projects linked up to Teach Me Tuesday! Thanks so much for hosting and for having us ??
I was just looking for simple onesie dresses and came across your tutorial. I made one in about 45 minutes and it’s so cute!
These party dresses are so good. I think they are comfortable and soft.
Gorgeous dress – the polar bear is just too cute! I won a lovely hat and sleepsuit from them and the quality is awesome; that sleepsuit has been worn more than just about any item of my daughter’s clothing and it’s in better condition than a lot of stuff which has been washed twice! #triedtested