Designs Plus Volume 22: Free Project
Bella Ballerina by Marie Zinno
Embroiderers love to find new products to embellish but sometimes an oldie is still a goodie, for instance the baby "onesie". The "onesie" has been around for decades and is a staple in any nursery. I created an interesting element to add to a girl's bodysuit or "onesie". I used the Children's Perfect Placement Kit for the embroidered name on the bib and "onesie". By using the templates, the embroidery is positioned in the exact location where I intended. The templates were created specifically for baby and children's clothing and accessories. The Children's Perfect Placement Kit comes complete with a booklet, target stickers, 16 clear plastic templates and two alphabets - Dot and Colonial.
The tulle skirt was sewn separately and has an elastic waistband that can be removed. I matched the tulle and embroidery thread to complement each other. The adorable "dot" font is included in the template kit as well. The dot font has two colors to each letter and is a great way to customize a baby gift. The matching bib was embroidered with the same letters and pink base color but I switched the "dots" to white thread so they would stand out against the light pink fabric.
Embroidery Products
• Children's Perfect Placement Kit (templates for bib and onesie)
• Dot font Alphabet (included in Children's Perfect Placement Kit)
• Embroidery editing software
• Magna-Hoop™
Materials
• One baby onesie or jumpsuit
• One knit baby bib
• ½ yd. 60″ wide pink tulle
• 1 ½ yd. deep pink rick rack trim
• 20″ length of ¼″ wide elastic
• Poly-mesh stabilizer
• Light weight water soluble stabilizer
• Iron-on light weight fusible interfacing to cover the back stitches on the onesie
• Polyester embroidery thread
Step 1. Create the Name
Open the Dot Alphabet in editing software. Bring each letter into the sewing field adjusting the placement as needed. Save the name or monogram in the appropriate format for the onesie and bib.
The templates are labeled for each product with a corresponding suggested letter size. The name on the onesie measures 1 ¾ inch tall and the bib name measures 1 ¼ inch tall. The size is marked on each template. Save each name on a CD or write to your machine.
Step 2. Embroider the Onesie
Select the onesie template and place it on the front of the onesie, line up the neckline with the center and mark the spot with a target sticker. Make sure the crosshair arrow is facing towards the top of the template.
Hoop the onesie with two layers of polymesh stabilizer. Check the hoop from the back for tightness and to be certain that the sleeve or bottom flap is not caught in the hoop. Always use the smallest hoop possible to fit the embroidery - knit fabrics stretch so easily.
Place water soluble stabilizer on top of the fabric and embroider the name using contrasting thread for the dots. Unhoop the fabric, trim the stabilizer from the wrong side and rinse away the water soluble stabilizer. Iron the fusible lightweight interfacing overmthe bobbin stitches for extra comfort for the baby.
Step 3. The Bib
Place the bib template on the bib, lining up the center and neckline markings. Always fold the item in half to check for the exact center. Mark the location with a target sticker.
Hoop polymesh stabilizer. Insert the metal frame of Magna-Hoop into the hoop. Center the bib on the hoop. Slide the square acrylic frame over the bib, centering the target sticker in the opening. Snap the magnets in place. Place water soluble stabilizer on top of the bib and stitch the name. Remove from the hoop, trim the stabilizer from the wrong side of the bib and rinse away the excess water soluble stabilizer.
Top stitch the rick rack trim on edge of bib.
Step 4. The Skirt
Cut the pink tulle 16″ x 30″. Fold the tulle in half vertically to measure 8″ x 30″ (this eliminates hemming the tulle). Stitch the tulle to one end of the elastic to secure. Stretch the elastic and ease the excess tulle as you straight stitch the two layers together. Sew Velcro at each end to fasten around the baby's waist. I estimated the length of elastic needed, but you can easily measure a baby's waist and cut accordingly.
Top stitch rick rack trim to top of tulle skirt.
 Marie Zinno has been a contributing writer for Designs in Machine Embroidery since 2003. Marie is founder of Sew Creative, a commercial embroidery company specializing in children's wear. Author of Machine Embroidery for Babies and Tots (Krause, Iola, WI, 2007), Marie lives in Canton, OH with her favorite Buckeye, Doug and their two children, John and Lindsey.
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Designs Plus Volume 22: Free Designs
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