Penny loves the Free People vibe, eclectic, laid back, relaxed is very much her style. (the opposite of her personality) She wants everything anytime we go in the store. Sadly this very small 6th grader does not fit in anything in that store. So I am trying to match the Free People vibe, but make it her size, and perhaps more age appropriate when needed.
First make is this laid back romper. It combines several features we like from Free People without being an exact copy of any of them. I started with the Hello Joggers pattern. I added the front pocket to the front leg so it made the leg whole. I only needed one measurement to make the alteration I measured from the waist to the chest (where the romper would come to.) I then extended the front and back leg pieces to include the front and back top part of the romper. I also lengthened the leg since I was skipping the cuff. I added lines at the “knee” area to later pin tuck. Then I created one new piece for the side leg, which was the length of the leg at the side seam and flared out a bit. The side piece was to widen the pants a bit but I also wanted the detail of an added piece so I didn’t just widen the pattern.
Sewing the romper together is pretty simple. You will mostly follow the jogger pattern instructions. You will add the side leg piece in between the front and back pieces. (I top stitched the seams as well) I also opted for sewn on pockets to the front. Sew the pin tucks to the right sides of the front and back legs. Once the front and back pieces are all sewn together sew binding towards the inside of the romper. This finishes the edge as well as giving a casing for elastic. I sewed elastic to gather in the sides a bit. Totally optional I just like the look. Then you will fold the top edge of the front and back down sewing in place. For the straps I cut one long piece, I slipped it through the sewn edge of the back and then once she tried the romper on I cut the straps to the length I wanted and sewed them to the front. That’s it.
She was thrilled with her romper and is already requesting other things she wants, as if her list wasn’t long enough already.