Criss Cross Straps for your Tie Dye Diva Ruffled Rompers!

Summer is just around the corner in the Northern hemisphere, and that means it's time to break out your Tie Dye Diva Romper patterns!  The Ruffled Romper Pattern for Girls and for Ruffled Romper pattern for Baby have been customer favorites for many years.  I can't count the number of adorable Ruffled Rompers I've seen posted in our interactive Tie Dye Diva Facebook Group. Over the years we've seen several brilliant modifications including extra ruffles, no ruffles, various modified straps and flutters added to the straps.  By leaving off the ruffles and changing up the halter ties, it makes an adorable sunsuit for girls or boys. Take a look at some of the customer creations I found in our interactive Facebook group.

Chelsea Freire of Sew Stylin' Stitches added a bib and monogram to this sweet romper.
The straps are the halter-style straps made per the pattern.

The front of the romper is the perfect place for embroidery as
Dana Sanders-English of Sweet Gracie Originals shows.
She also modified the straps to tie  into the waist and added flutters.

Dawn Frohman of Addy & Tabby used rick rack to
 trim the ruffles and flutters on this modified romper.
She secured the straps at the back waist and added buttons to the front.

Don't you love the mushrooms and lace on this modified romper.
Linda Gargett has crossed the straps and secured with buttons in the front.

Suzannah Cleaver of Princess Peppy's Accessories has added a sweet bow
to the back of her romper as well as an adorable tuck and button on
the front giving a sweetheart neckline effect.

Clockwise from top left:
 Danielle Larson's cross back modification
Christine Whiting has left the ruffles off and modified the straps to button in front; perfect for a sweet boy.
Julie Heath lengthened the straps and tied through the waist in a bow.
Janai Ayala created this adorable costume with fringe instead of ruffles and trim added to the front.

I just love all the creativity shown here!  It is amazing how a few simple changes can completely change the look of a pattern.  To help you get the creative juices flowing, we are bringing you a simple pattern modification to make crossed straps that button to back of the romper.

Today I'm sewing with more fabric from the Seafarer collection by Anna Griffin (you saw some in this fun Potato Chip Skirt Pattern modification tutorial). This fabric was generously provided to us by Blend Fabrics, a division of Anna Griffin, Inc. I love the soft and girly blues, pinks and greens in this color way with a fun nautical theme. Perfect for summer!

Photo courtesy www.annagriffin.com

I've used the Ruffled Baby Romper in size 6-12 months, but the same general modifications can also be used for the Girls Ruffled Romper as well.  The baby romper starts at newborn size (newborn photos anyone?) and extends through size 18-24 months.  It has a 'cut on fold' front with no center seam and instructions for an optional snaps crotch. The girls romper has 'bloomer' style legs more age appropriate for toddlers and girls (which means it has a center front seam), longer ties, and includes sizes 2T - 6. Both have halter-style straps that tie behind the neck, but let's give you a way to get a whole new look with criss cross straps! Leave off the ruffles for a sweet unisex sunsuit.

There are only two main changes necessary for this modification.  Begin by cutting your pattern pieces as directed, except for the strap piece.  For the straps on this 6-12 month romper I cut two straps that are 2" x 14 1/2" (toddler and girls sizes cut straps 2 1/2" wide).  Subtract 1" of strap length for each size smaller and add one additional inch of length per size bigger that you are making.

Begin sewing per pattern instructions.  Stop after adding ruffles, before inserting elastic.  Here we need to add buttonholes.  Find and mark the center back.  Measure 2 1/2" from each side.  This is where the buttonholes will begin, for girls sizes you may want to place these a little bit wider.  Center the buttonholes between the bottom of the casing and top of the ruffles. Select the buttons you desire to use and make appropriate sized buttonholes. My buttonholes are 5/8" for my 3/4" buttons.  Sew the buttonholes and then proceed with the pattern instructions for adding elastic.

Now, let's prepare the straps.  Fold the strap in half width wise. Using a 1/4" seam allowance sew down the long edge and across one short end.

Trim across the corner and turn through the unsewn end.  Press well and continue with the pattern instructions for attaching the straps and finishing the romper.  Finally, attach the buttons to the straps.  If you have a model available, try the romper on and determine best button placement.  I recommend crossing the straps to keep them from sliding off the shoulders. If you do not have a model available, I suggest placing the bottom button 2" from the bottom of the strap and a second button 1 1/2" above the first.  Adding two buttons to each strap will allow the romper to grow with the wearer just a bit.

Button through the button holes and admire your sweet Ruffled Baby Romper.  Happy Sewing!

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