This fun project doesn't require a lot of fabric so you can recycle old t-shirts and tops instead of buying new fabric. The bloomers in the picture are cut in one of my sister's old tops.
Use only stretch fabric for this project.
PATTERN AND CUTTING
For a 3 year old, print the pattern so that the reference line on the right measures 10cm.
Scale it up or down for an older or younger child (you won't need to scale it a lot).
A: Cut 1 in main fabric
B: Cut 2 in main fabric
C: Cut 1 in main fabric
D: Cut 1 in contrasting fabric - optional
E: Elastic, 1cm wide or narrower (enough for waist and both leg openings, depends on your toddler's size)
Dotted lines: place on fabric fold
Red lines = seam allowances
Grey areas = wrong side
White areas = right side
Illustration 1 shows how to place the pieces on the fabric fold (use a different fabric for piece D). However, there are better ways to do it if you want to save fabric.
SEWING INSTRUCTIONS
Sew the heart or any other appliqué you like on piece A, using a zigzag stitch. Don't place it too close to the edges.
Cut your elastic. Waist: your child's waist circumference minus 3cm (I cut 42cm for my 3 year old).
Leg openings: your child's thigh circumference minus 1.5cm (26 cm for my 3 year old).
Assemble piece A and both pieces B as shown, sewing 1cm from the edges. If your machine doesn't have a stretch stitch, use a very narrow zigzag stitch.
When you're done, roll up piece A so that it stays out of the way.
Sew piece C as shown, right side facing up, 1cm from the edges.
Trim the seam allowances to reduce bulkiness.
Turn inside out.
Sew 1cm from the edges. Trim and finish sides with a zigzag stitch if you like.
Fold the waist edge as shown (1.5cm wide). Sew along the edge with a narrow zigzag, leaving a 3cm hole to insert the elastic.
Attach a safety pin to the elastic and slide it inside waistband.
Sew the elastic ends together, tuck it in and finish the waist.
Do the same for the remaining elastics.
Please note that the panties in the first pic were finished using a serger. With an ordinary machine and the zigzag stitch method described in the tut, it will look more like this (use a narrower elastic for a more discreet finish):
This is great! I've got 2 under 2 and they always need cute bloomers!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tute.
Thanks for your generosity! I'll try to get several pair of these bloomers made this week. Gret tute! The photos and drawings are very clear.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely darling! I need to make some of these to go under all my daughters play skirts and dresses! Thanks for the tute! I linked at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteI have been searching for so long for a great tutorial on this and I finally came across this today! THANK YOU!!!
ReplyDeleteVery cute!! Will have to try to make them! TFS!
ReplyDeleteIve made a few before, but differently, and i always wondered how to get the centre crotch piece correct THANKS for that.
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Just discovered your blog... I am having so much fun!! Thanks for the tute to I need to make my daughter a pair to match her new dress...
ReplyDeletehttp://moobeardesigns.blogspot.com/2009/09/bubbles-new-dress.html
xo Steph
I am back and I made them hehe I linked your tutorial too. Hope you don't mind.
ReplyDeletehttp://moobeardesigns.blogspot.com/2009/09/bubbles-birthday-bbq-outfit.html
xo Steph
That is gorgeous. I really admire your illustrations. And thanks for clearing up a question I had about how much elastic to use viz my child's waist. It's a very simple formula.
ReplyDeleteEeloh
These blommers are great. I have a pattern, but its so hard when you cant see the steps in pictures. Thanks for making things easier. I love the kitty cat ones..!
ReplyDeletethank you!
ReplyDeleteVERY nice pattern TY soo much. One question though...Any idea how much to scale down for a newborn? You said make the line 10cm for 3 year old...what should it be for other sizes?
ReplyDelete@ anonymous april 18: I don't have an exact formula for grading but the waist circumference in the printed pattern (seam allowances excluded) would have to be slightly more than your child's waist circumference. I found a children's sizes chart here: http://www.fibergypsy.com/common/children.shtml
ReplyDeleteHope this helps!
Those are adorable -- I've been wanting to made several pairs of bloomers in plain solid colors for my daughter to wear under dresses now that she's a 2T and hardly any dresses come with bloomers anymore.
ReplyDeleteI'm new to sewing and am confused about the 2 "B" pieces. In picture 4, I can see both "B" pieces in the top photo (with the rolled up "A" and "C" pieces), but in the lower photo where it's unrolled I only see one "B" piece -- what happened to the other one? Sorry to ask such a newbie question -- I'm sure the answer is clear to more experienced sewers!
Thanks so much for this. It is the only tutorial I could find that I actually understand and will be able to use!
ReplyDeleteI was also wondering the same question as the poster just before mine ... I'm assuming we should stitch the two B pieces together after turning the whole thing insideout? Or do that while adding elastic strips into the hems all the way around both leg holes? I didn't see how else to get from step 6 to the finished product.
Thanks again!!
@ anonymous and scottanddarafamily: yup, you just sew them together while adding the elastic strips. You could also stitch them together with a zigzag stitch before adding the elastic if it makes it easier for you.
ReplyDeleteSorry for my late answer, I'm going through my surgery rotation and it's eating all my free time... :(
Just an FYI....I enlarged the printout by 178% to get to 10cm. Great Pattern! Thanks for sharing!!! Now...off to sew!
ReplyDeleteperfect.
ReplyDeleteAre you killing me? That's perfect because my daughter has looked for that in all city's store and she has had bad results, also that's perfect because it's made of recycled old t-shirts.
ReplyDeleteLove Love Love this! I made my first pair of T-shirt bloomers last night. As I am a newbie sewer...they have a lot of flaws, but it was fun! Only thing is I estimated a little small on the size of the patterns. I enlarged 125% and it would fit a newborn instead of my 7 month old. Guess I'll just keep practicing!!
ReplyDeleteHi HeatherBoyd,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the feedback!
When you printed the pattern, did you use the 10cm line as a scaling reference?
If you did and it's still too small, I'll print it myself to check.
Thanks for the pattern! I have been looking ALL over for something like this! I think Im going to add ruffles to the backside. :) I also printed this at about 150% for a 3 month old baby. (hoping i guessed right!) it gave me an 8cm guide. i had to enlarge it and then print off each piece individually. (just in response to the comment above.) Thanks again!
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Thanks for this tutorial. My friend has an almost 2yr old daughter who only wears 6-9mos size (she has a form of dwarfism), but is already potty training so is in need of undies. Of course you can't find underwear in 6-9mos. size in the stores since 6-9 mo olds are still in diapers! I'm going to try making these for her in Dora and Disney Princess prints.
ReplyDeleteWow! Really Its looking Awesome..... You have share a nice tutorial... Very interesting. Thanks very much!
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ReplyDeleteSuper cute, but I can't figure out how to scale it up or down. HELP!!
ReplyDeleteI'm having an issue printing out the pattern pieces. What program is best? I have tried just printing the .jpg file from the website, but the largest I can get it to print is about 8 cm. User error, I'm sure!
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ReplyDeleteTo scale any pattern up (or down) select borderless, and then "tile large pages". type in 175% for the 10 cm and then print!
ReplyDeleteI posted your tutorial on my Pinterest Page and people are sharing it with one another like crazy. Your tutorial is so well done and easy to follow....as well as super trendy cute! Thanks for the tutorial and the time it took you to make it.
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