How to make baby Bloomers...

Here's a quick little post while I finish work on my next home decor project, I'm pretty excited about it!

So I recently had a baby girl, and I'm loving the chance to buy pretty frilly, fluffy, and flowered things. One of my biggest pet peeves has been buying skirts which are far too short to be worn alone, and don't come with a diaper cover (aka bloomers).

She looks adorable, until she sits and you see her saggy little mickey mouse diaper hanging out....not cute. Leggings work under some, but if I'm going for a more dressy look she just needs bloomers. I looked all over the Internet and couldn't find a posted pattern anywhere. So, I tinkered around till I came up with a SUPER easy pattern for some. I made them out of just basic white material, but I'm excited to make them to match all her fun outfits. Possibly covering the bum with fun ruffles or attaching some fun skirts...oh the possibilities!


The pattern is for a 0-3 month size...for other infant sizes I'd add about an 1/2" to 3/4" to all sides of the pattern (1/2" for 3-6, 1" for 6-9, 1 1/2" for 9-12). Here is an infant sizing chart for reference.

I'll attach the pattern as a picture, and you can save it, then print it so it's an 8 1/2 x 11. But if you want a better copy we can exchange e-mails.

You'll need-

Thick elastic (like 1/2 inch) for waistband (I used a total of 13.5")
Thin elastic (like 1/8 inch) for leg openings (I used a total of 16")
Fabric (I'd have1/4 of a yard, for my size, with plenty of leftovers)

Here's an online chart I found for elastic waist sizes-

Age,  Length (needs to be doubled), Waist
0-6 mons 6 1/2 in 18 in
6-12 mons 7 1/2 in 19 in
2t 8 1/2 in 20 in
3t 9 3/4 in 20 1/2 in
4t 10 3/4 in 21 in
4/5 12 in 21 1/2 in
5t 13 1/2 in 22 in
 so just double the middle number and that's what you need for the waistband elastic. I used about 13 inches in mine.

For the legs, measure the length to of the leg opening and double it...mine was 8 inches for each leg of the thin elastic.


Alright, here we go!

1. Cut 2 copies of each leg on the fold of the fabric (just follow the pattern)

2. Fold the bottom of the fabric up about 1/4" and iron, Fold that once again and iron again (to create a nice fray-free seam). Repeat on the top line of the fabric too. Then repeat on the other leg.

This only shows the bottom folded over, repeat along the top as well.

3. Take the Thin elastic piece (which should be cut to the size of you leg opening doubled, mine was 8"). Turn your machine to a wide zig-zag stitch and stitch a little bit of the elastic to the bloomers, just to hold it in place while you sew the rest on. Then with one hand pull the fabric coming out the back of the machine, with  the other stretch the elastic out really far, like as far as it goes (this will make your leg gathered). Then hold the elastic so it's 1/2 over the fold you made, and 1/2 over the rest of the material (see picture), and sew all the way around. Make sure to keep stretching the elastic tight as you sew.



Stretch that elastic and make sure you sew down the edge of that fold at the same time...



4. Repeat that on the bottom of the other leg.

5. Match up the small arched seams, pin, and sew, just to the point of the small seam with a 3/8" seam.

Note the seam rippage, yeah, that's what comes of sewing when you're far too tired...

6. Then turn one leg so it's right side out, and place it inside of the other leg which is wrong side (the side with the elastic showing). The right sides of the material should be touching. Match the seams and sew around that u shape. You should NOT be sewing on the top where you folded it over.



7. Turn the whole thing back inside-out, and sew the thick elastic along the top just like you did on the legs. Stretching as you go, and making sure you get the bottom of the folded edge stitched under the elastic.

Okay, that's a terrible picture, they look WAY better in person.

8. Put them on a little girl and enjoy having her little bum covered with something cuter than a diaper!

Wouldn't they be ah-dor-able with some lace on the leg-openings? Or ruffles on the bum?

Here's the pattern, again, let me know if you want an e-mailed PDF.