Jalie 3133 Baby Onesie

This week’s pattern review is our cutest one yet. In fact it’s SO cute that we now realize our previous use of this word has been far too indiscriminate. The lovely Cheryl Webster, owner of the Headwaters Hot Yoga Missoula studio, volunteered her cute, cute,  CUTE (did we mention he’s cute?) son, Jack, to model the Jalie 3133 Baby Onesie Pattern, and we couldn’t be more pleased with the results!

Equipped with three different views (crew-neck, boat-neck, and tank), four different sleeve options (cap, long, gathered and regular) and two optional applique patterns (a ruffle and a tie), this pattern will hold anyone sewing for an infant in good stead, no matter the time of year. Additionally, as is typical of Jalie, this pattern contains a whole host of sizing options that are gauged not only by age but by weight as well.

For Jack’s onesie, Bonnie chose to do a regular long sleeve with a View B boat-neck collar, and applique tie. (I’ll say it again – CUTE!) The main body of the onesie is a size 12M while the sleeves are 9M. Though she started with the crew-neck view, Bonnie switched to a boat-neck after the first fitting because the former didn’t fit over Jack’s big ol’ noggin! The natural stretch of your chosen fabric, your choice of thread, and style of stitch you use on the binding (straight vs zig-zag) will dictate the collar’s stretch. So, if your baby has a nice, big head, make sure you factor in these components beforehand.

The Jaile method for applying the garment’s binding is a tricky, but clever.

Rather than folding and stitching a cuff or adding a facing that would normally leave the stitching exposed on the inside, Jaile has you stitch the right side of your binding to the wrong side of your main fabric’s unfinished edge. Then, you twice fold the binding towards the right side of the main fabric and topstitch. This makes for a very clean finish and leaves no edges exposed to rub on your baby’s arms or legs.  Instructions, along with a diagram which clearly outline this process, are of course included in the pattern. However, both Bonnie and Kate have made a few of these onesies, and they agree that the this method, while handy, requires a great deal of patience. So, don’t be discouraged if you struggle at first!

For Jack’s little business onesie, Bonnie used the Art Gallery Buck Forest Knit in Mist along with the RK Dana Cotton Modal Knit in Ivory for the binding and applique. These very soft cotton/spandex knits have the Jalie recommended 40% stretch both lengthwise and across the grain. What’s more, the little buck design looks just darling on baby Jack. However, if you’re less than enamored with these ungulates, we have many other suitable cotton knits to choose from.

The trouble we all face in sewing for a little one is that by the time a garment’s finished they seem to have already grown out of it! However, Jalie’s many sizing options make it possible to keep up with your ever-growing baby. What’s more, once you’ve sewn this bodysuit, sewing another in a larger size is a snap. As such, we strongly recommend tracing your pattern thereby keeping the original in tact and allowing you to take full advantage of this pattern’s versatility.

Happy Sewing!

 

 

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