D.I.Y. Craft – Baby Romper

Tools and Materials

French Bulldog Template or
photo of a dog in profile
Iron
Sewing machine
Scissors
Damp, clean cloth
Card stock
Patterned fabric
Trans-Web or other fusible webbing on release paper
Black marker
Blank baby romper (or blank t-shirt for yourself!)
Machine-sewing thread in a coordinating color for decorative topstitch
Hand-sewing needle
Button in coordinating color (optional)

How-To

1. Download and print the template for the French bulldog silhouette (click here to download) on card stock, or create a dogsilhouette of your own by tracing a photograph. If you make thesilhouette yourself, shrink or enlarge it to make sure that it is aboutsix inches wide.

2. Cut the dog silhouette from the card stock.

3. Choose a fun, graphic, patterned fabric for the dog appliqué.Larger, busier patterns work best on simple silhouettes. Moredetailed dog silhouettes look better in smaller patterns, so thedetails of the dog’s shape are not lost in the fabric.

4. Prewash the fabric for your appliqué to reduce shrinkage.

5. Cut a square or rectangular piece from the fabric approximately7 inches square.

6. Cut a piece of Trans-Web slightly smaller than your fabric square.

7. Using an iron on the wool setting, iron the Trans-Web onto theback of the fabric; the rough side of the Trans-Web should be facingthe wrong side of the fabric. Allow the paper-backed fabric to cool.

8. Using a black marker, trace the dog silhouette onto the Trans-Webpaper backing.

9. Cut out the dog silhouette from the paper-backed fabric.

10. Peel the paper backing from the appliqué to expose theiron-on webbing.

11. Position the appliqué, fabric side up, onto the blankonesie. Make sure the appliqué is positioned above thewaistline, so the full silhouette will be visible if the baby iswearing pants.

12. Lay a damp cloth over the appliqué and iron with steamfor 10 seconds.

13. Once the appliqué is fused to the onesie, use coordinatingthread and a simple zigzag stitch on your machine to sewaround the edge of the appliqué.

14. Once you’ve sewn around the entire silhouette, tuck the threadtail back under the stitches by hand with a needle to ensure threadsare secure. Optional: Sew a button on the appliqué for the eye.

Tips: This process is not restricted to baby baby romper; you can usesilhouettes to personalize a variety of clothing and household items!

For more fun dog-themed projects, check out marthastewart.com/pets.

Resources: Trans-Web fusible web on release paper can be found at reprodepot.com. The fabric used for the Frenchie pattern is Dandy Damask by Michael Miller.