Pattern Test: Overlap Bodysuit

Let me start by saying this...I have made envelope neck onesies from tutorials.  And they were a rough go.  These pictures are almost 6 years ago when I never bought fabric and could only sew if I could harvest refashion old T-shirts Mr. Pigg and I didn't wear anymore.  The rest of these pictures are Mr. Piggs old t-shirts that were not particularly soft and had very little stretch and absolutely no recovery.

Yikes!

Sightly better.

Then the neck was okay but the shirt itself was way to big.

And then a girl version with puff sleeves that fit well but was hard to get on and off because the fabric had NO stretch even though it was knit.  And I think the only reason this looked this good was because I found a free pattern in one size and added sleeves to it.

So I was pretty excited when Kylie Crittenden from Fresh Stitch Patterns let me test her Overlap Bodysuit (what I usually call a Onesie).  Those previous attempts years ago were painful and had very limited success.  In comparison, this pattern is like butter.  It just glides and WORKS and then fits.  And all you have to do is follow the directions and look at the diagrams!

Pigg #4 is almost two but her measurements had her in the 12-18 month size.  I was worried about that and decided I would lengthen the suit since Pigg#4 was really wiggly and it was hard to measure her height.  I thought there was no way that sizing was correct because she's an average size girl and wearing 24 month to 2T clothing.

However, trust the measurement chart!  Kylie has done multiple tests on this pattern trying to get the fit just. right.  My bodysuit would have fit perfectly if I hadn't doubted and added length.  It doesn't bother Pigg#4 and it just gives her room to grow into it, but man...I should trust the pattern maker more!  :)  

Overall I really like the pattern.  It is written clearly and makes that envelope neck so smooth.  No guessing how far to overlap and then where to attach the sleeves.  She's got that figured out.  And the sleeves set in perfectly with the overlap.

Pigg#4 already recognizes it as hers and grabs it when it comes out of the wash.  So glad I've got this staple pattern even though my baby is growing too quickly.  

The pattern is a digital download in sizes from premie to 2-3.  Kylie includes layers in her patterns so you only need to print the size you want and has instructions for lengthening/shortening the pattern.  It also has both long and short sleeve options.

I'm telling you, it's a pretty sweet, simple pattern for a clothing item every baby wears, and wears, and wears...but Kylie did all the figuring out work for you.

Go check out her website and pattern!  It's on sale right now...