Adelaide Vintage Romper - Knit Version + 3 Pack Pattern Giveaway!

A few weeks ago, Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop introduced a new romper pattern--the Adelaide Vintage Romper.  Disclosure:  I am an affiliate for Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop, but all opinions provided in this post are 100% my own.  I'm sure you've seen pictures of the pattern cover with the cute girl wearing the teal chevron romper with red trim.  Well, I could have sworn it was knit fabric, so I emailed Amy, the pattern designer, to confirm my suspicion.  She said is was just quilting cotton, but then asked if I wanted to try out the pattern in knit fabric.  I said sure!

The Adelaide Vintage Romper pattern is not designed specifically for knit fabrics, but it is definitely doable to make it out of knit.  I did it with just a few slight modifications to the original pattern instructions.  If you are interested in attempting this adorable romper in knit, then I suggest you read through my post first for some helpful advice.

For my knit version of the Adelaide Vintage Romper, I used 100% cotton interlock knit.  For the piping and the leg cuffs, I used a cotton wide ribbed knit that had a touch of spandex in it.

First, cut out your bodice, shorts, collar, and tie pieces using the main fabric and making sure the direction of stretch is across each of the pieces.  Next, cut out the cuffs and enough 1" strips to make your piping (if you choose to add piping to your look).  I use 1/8" nylon cording found at the hardware store or in the hardware section at Wal-mart to make piping.  You can buy a 40' roll for less than $3.

Follow the Adelaide Vintage Romper pattern instructions like normal for attaching the piping, sewing the collar to the bodice, shirring the back and adding the elastic, and making the pockets.  Here's where I veered away from the order of the pattern instructions and took a slightly different approach mainly because of the knit fabric.

Next, I sewed the bodice lining to the bodice front (RST) across the top using my serger and making sure to sandwich the tie straps in between the two.  Flip the pieces so right sides are out and press the seam flat.  Now I pinned with RST the bodice back and the bodice front along the side seams and serged the edges.  I used my regular sewing machine to tack down the seam toward the back bodice.

By now, you have already sewn the shorts pockets on, so take the two front shorts pieces RST and sew down the crotch seam with your serger.  Leave the inseam open.  Do the same thing for the two back shorts pieces.  With RST, sew the front shorts to the back shorts along the side seams (inseam is still unsewn).  Take one of the ribbed knit cuff pieces and fold it in half along the length with WST.  This piece will be shorter than the leg opening, so stretch it as necessary when pinning it to the bottom of the shorts.  Make sure that raw edges are matching and that the cuff is on top of the right side of the shorts leg.  Hope this makes sense!  Once you have it pinned in place, serge the cuff to the shorts and then flip the cuff down so the seam will be on the inside of the garment.  Repeat for the other leg.  Now pin the inseam RST and making sure to match the seams of the crotch and the cuffs before serging the seam.

Again, you can tack the serged seam at the leg opening down with a regular stitch on your sewing machine.

You should now have a separate top and bottom for the romper.  All we have left to do is attach them together at the waist.  I turned the bodice wrong side out and slipped it over the right side of the shorts and matched up the raw edges and side seams.  Pin the pieces together and then sew together using your regular sewing machine's zipper foot and a stretch needle (since there is piping along the front bodice at the waist).  Then use your serger to finish the edges of the seam.

That's it!  Easy as can be, right?  The knit version is so soft and comfy to wear, and perfect for play time or a walk outside.

Now I want to make an Adelaide Vintage Romper in quilting cotton just so I can say I've played by the rules!  The knit version was fun to make though, and if you have experience sewing with knits, I recommend giving it a try!  I'm pretty sure you'll be glad you did!

Oh, guess what?  Today is Thrifty Thursday at Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop, and that means one special pattern is on sale for today only for $4!  This week's Thrifty Thursday pattern is the Susie Sun Dress! Don't miss this deal!

Now for the giveaway!

Want a chance to win a 3 pack of pdf patterns from Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop?  Of course you do!  Who wouldn't?!  Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below to earn up to three entries.  Winner will be announced here on Monday, May 27, 2013!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for stopping by today, and a big thank you to Amy from Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop for offering the patterns in the giveaway!