Summer Romper for Kids
When I dress my kids this summer, I plan to adopt a “one and done” philosophy. Rather than layering them up in t-shirts and shorts and tanks, I want to reach for one garment and go… And this Summer Romper for Kids is the garment I am going to grab!
These Rompers are simple to make, fun to wear and so perfectly chic, I can’t imagine wanting to add anything else to the mix. Plus, the free pattern is available in seven sizes, from 2 to 11 years, and features adjustable straps and an elastic waist for a forgiving fit.
I think I may have found the solution to the morning get-dressed battle, but I may have created a new bedtime take-it-off fight! Fine, sleep in it, too. After all, this is the summer of the Romper!
-Corinne
Materials
- ¾ (¾, ¾, 1, 1, 1, 1) yard of light to medium weight fabric. We used, from left to right…
- Liberty of London’s Tana Lawn Classics, Pink Andrea
- Purl Soho’s Handkerchief Linen, Persimmon
- Purl Soho’s Linen Grid, Super Pink
- Please note: We have sold every last bit of our limited-release Linen Grid. As substitutes, we encourage you try our Daily Linen, Handkerchief Linen or Watercolor Linen, all suitable in weight and in a stunning palette of colors!
- 1 (2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) yard of ½-inch Braided Elastic, White
- A 110-yard spool of Gutermann’s Cotton Sewing Thread in a color to match the fabric. We used, from left to right, color 1040, 1040 and 4850.
- An 18mm Bias Tape Maker
- A small scrap of ribbon, approximately 2 ½ inches long
- A safety pin
- A free Summer Romper for Kids template, printed, prepared and cut out in the appropriate size
Sizes
To fit ages 2 (3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9, 10, 11)
Finished Waist Sizes: 22 (23, 23 ½, 25, 26, 27, 27 ½) inches in circumference, unstretched.
Notes
- To print the PDF template, be sure to first download the pattern and then print it. This means rather than simply clicking the link and opening the PDF in a browser window, you should click on the pattern link using the “right click” or “control click” option on your mouse or keyboard. This will give you the option to “Download the linked file.” Once the file is downloaded, it should print like a charm!
- Prewash all fabric before starting.
- Use ¼-inch seam allowances, unless otherwise noted.
- Backstitch at the beginning and end of all seams.
- For the sake of clarity our instructional photos use Robert Kaufman’s Botanics + Architextures in Tangerine Hatches, a fabric with a clear right and wrong side. When you are working with a fabric without a clear right or wrong side, choose either side as the right side for the first seam and follow this precedent for all subsequent steps.
Pattern
Cut
From the Fabric
Use the prepared pattern pieces to pin and cut …
- Two Bottom Front pieces
- Two Bottom Back pieces
- Two Top pieces, on the fold
The two Bottom Front pieces and two Bottom Back pieces should be mirror images of each other. To be sure to cut them with the proper orientation, cut one with the right side of the fabric facing up and one with the wrong side of the fabric facing up, or you can fold the fabric and cut through both layers at once.
Also cut …
One 1 5/8-inch by 26 ½ (27 ½, 29 ½, 31 ½, 33 ½, 35 ½, 37 ½)-inch strip for the Waistband
Two 1 5/8 x 30-inch strips, cut on the bias, for the Straps
You may need to piece the strips to get the appropriate length. For detailed instructions on how to piece binding strips, please visit our Making Single Fold Bias Tape Binding Tutorial.
From the Elastic
- Cut two 6 (6 ¼, 6 ½, 7 ¼, 8 ¼, 8 ¾, 9)–inch pieces for the Neckline Elastic.
- Cut one 22 ½ (23 ½, 24, 25 ½, 26 ½, 27 ½, 28)–inch pieces for the Waist Elastic.
Prepare the Waistband and Straps
Following the manufacturer’s instructions, use the 18mm Bias Tape Maker to press the Waistband and Strap strips into single fold binding.
Open up the folds at the two short ends of the Waistband piece. With rights sides together, stack the two ends on top of each other and pin in place. Sew along the short, pinned edge to create a Waistband loop.
Press the seam open and refold the creases.
Piece the Bottom
With right sides facing, stack the two Bottom Front pieces on top of each other. Pin along the concave edge of the inseam.
Sew along the pinned edge.
Sew along the seam allowance with a zigzag stitch.
Press the seam to one side.
Repeat with the two Bottom Back pieces. Place a pin in the Bottom Back to help distinguish between the Bottom Front and Back.
With right sides facing, match up the short crotch ends of the Bottom Front and Back along the raw edge, making sure that the center seams line up. Pin in place and sew along the pinned edge.
Sew along the seam allowance with a zigzag stitch.
Press the seam to one side.
Lay the Bottom pieces so that the right sides of the Front and Back are together and their straight side seams align. Pin together along the raw edges of the side seams. Sew along the pinned edges.
Sew along the seam allowance with a zigzag stitch. Press the seam to one side. This is now the Bottom.
Hem the Bottom
Fold the bottom raw edge of one leg opening ¼ inch towards the wrong side and press. Now, fold the edge ¾ inch toward the wrong side and press again. Pin in place. Sew the hem down with an edgestitch.
Repeat for the bottom raw edge of the other leg opening.
Piece the Top
With right sides facing, stack the two Top pieces. Pin along the two side seams. Sew along the pinned edges.
Sew along the seam allowances with a zigzag stitch.
Press the seams to one side. This is now the Top.
Sew the Neckline Channel
Fold the top edge of one side of the Top ¾ inch towards the wrong side and press. Fold this edge 1 1/8 inch toward the wrong side and press again. Pin in place.
Repeat for the top edge on the other side of the Top.
Sew one top fold down with an edgestitch. Sew the fold again, now with a ½-inch seam allowance. (There will be a little over ½ inch between the two seam lines.)
Repeat for the other top edge, but this time, first fold the small ribbon scrap in half and tuck it under the unsewn fold, at the approximate center. Pin it in place, and then sew the edgestitch, followed by the ½-inch seam allowance. (The ribbon is to mark the back of the Romper. Since the front and back will look very similar but will fit differently, this little ribbon will come in handy!)
Piece the Bottom and Top
Turn the Bottom so that its wrong side is facing out.
Turn the Top so that its right side is facing out. Slip the Top inside the Bottom, right sides together. Make sure the back of the Top faces the back of the Bottom. Align the top raw edge of the Bottom with the bottom raw edge of the Top and match up the side seams. Pin in place along the raw edges.
Next, open up one fold of the prepared Waistband piece. With the right side of the Waistband facing the wrong side of the Bottom, line up its open raw edge with the pinned edges of the Top and Bottom, making sure to align the Waistband seam with one side seam of the Bottom. Pin all three layers together along the raw edges.
Sew the three layers together along the pinned edge with a ¼-inch seam allowance, using the crease in the Waistband as a guide.
Unfold the Romper so the Top is no longer tucked inside the Bottom and the wrong side is facing out. Press the Top and Waistband up, along the seam line.
Edgestitch the top folded edge of the Waistband to the Top, leaving a 1-inch gap in the seam.
Attach the safety pin to one end of the Waist Elastic. Insert this end into the gap. Pull the pin through the Waistband, exiting out the other side. Make sure to not pull the Elastic’s other end into the channel.
Checking that the Elastic isn’t twisted, overlap the two ends by ½ inch. Sew the ends together widthwise with a zigzag stitch.
Tuck the Elastic into the Waistband and close the gap with an edgestitch.
Finish the Neckline
Attach the safety pin to one end of one piece of the Neckline Elastic. Insert this end into the channel at one top edge of the Top.
Slowly pull the pin through the channel, stopping right before the other end of the Elastic is pulled into the channel. Tack this end of the Elastic here, right at the edge of the channel, by sewing a short edgestitch along the raw edge of the Top, sewing through the Elastic and all layers of the channel.
Continue to pull the elastic through until you have pulled the pin out on the other side. Sew the other end of the Elastic to this side of the channel in the same way as described above, making a short edgestitch through all layers. Repeat for the other side.
Attach the Straps
Lay out the Romper with the wrong side facing out.
Fold one Strap piece in half to mark its center.
Open up one fold of the Strap piece. With the right side of the Strap facing the wrong side of the Romper, match up the center of the Strap with the side seam of the Top, aligning their raw edges. Pin in place.
Working in one direction and then the other, continue to pin the open edge of the Strap to the armhole until you reach the top folded edge of the Top. You will have an overhang of bias tape at each end of the armhole, which will be the straps.
Sew the bias tape to the garment along the armhole edge with a ¼-inch seam allowance, using the fold of the tape as a guide.
Fold the bias tape towards the Top’s right side and press flat. The long, raw edges of the bias tape, as well as the raw armhole edge, will be enclosed in the fold.
Sew along the entire length of the tape along the open edge, being careful to catch both sides as you sew.
Repeat with the other Strap piece on the other armhole edge.
At the end of each Strap, tie the bias tape in an overhand knot and trim the end.
Note: You can easily trim the Straps to any length. Simply cut the bias tape down and retie the knot.
The Romper is ready to wear!
PRINT
Bonjour,
J’aimerais beaucoup essayer de coudre cette barboteuse trop mimi pour mes filles de 6 ans et 8 ans mais je n’arrive pas à avoir le patron… 🙁
Merci de m’aider.
Hi Laetitia,
Thanks for reaching out! You can find the pattern template linked in the materials list above, or by clicking right here!
All the best,
Julianna
Is there a diagram for how the pattern pieces need to be taped together? I’m so confused with this one.
Hi Christina,
Thanks for writing in! Unfortunately we don’t have an image of the completed template, but hopefully I can help you get it sorted out! You should have three pattern pieces when the template pieces are assembled, the Bottom Front, Bottom Back, and Front. If you look under the “Cut” instructions, you can see the shape that each pattern piece will be. As long as you keep the template pieces oriented the same way they print out and match the text on the edges of each piece, the pattern pieces should turn out correctly!
I hope that helps!
Julianna
Bonjour,
Merci pour le patron et ce super tuto très clair! Les marges de couture sont-elles comprises dans le patron?
Je vous remercie.
Hi Berrier
Thanks so much for writing in! Yes, this pattern does include the seam allowance.
Happy sewing
Jessica
Hey! I’m making one for my daughter and am wondering if I could make one for my son. What would you suggest? Maybe straps with buttons instead of ties??
Hi Allyne,
Thanks for writing in, and what a wonderful idea! Rompers are so easy and comfortable for all kids to wear! Although I think a boy could wear this without changes, widening the straps so they button in the front, similar to overalls, would look a little more serious. You might also try tapering the front and back pattern pieces slightly so they will fit without the elastic channel at the top for a cleaner finish.
I hope that helps, and please do let us know how it turns out!
Julianna
Le patron combishort existe il en taille 14 ans? Merci beaucoup
Hi Paumier,
Thanks for reaching out! Unfortunately, this pattern only goes up to age 11, but I will certainly pass your request for larger sizes along to the design team!
Best,
Julianna
Bonjour j’aimerais savoir comment faire pour avoir les explications en français svp du top et short bonne journée MCcouture
Hi Maryline
Thanks for writing in! Unfortunately, we do not currently have the resources to translate our patterns, but thank you for your interest and happy sewing!
Best
Jessica
Can this be made in cotton jersey?
Hi Lynne
Thanks for the great question! Sounds like that would be really comfy! Unfortunately, we do not have instructions for sewing this romper with knit fabric; however, if you would like to give it a try, I suggest sewing a muslin first in an inexpensive knit and sizing down one or two sizes depending on the stretchiness of your fabric. You will also need to use a zig zag stitch or serger for the seams. Just remember, it’s easier to take things in than to let things out! I hope this helps!
Happy sewing
Jessica
I would like translation in french but i dont found it.
Please can you help me ?
Hi Corinne,
Thanks for writing in! At present, our patterns are only available in English, though we certainly appreciate the request!
Best,
Julianna
Thank you so much for this easy to follow free pattern! I just made the 2T size and it’s absolutely adorable. I would consider myself an intermediate beginner and this only took an afternoon and was very fun and easy. Love it!
I have made this adorable romper several times. The last time I made it I added fixed elastic strap rather than the ties, But since I don’t have it in my possession, I don’t remember how I did that! I am wondering if I should add a separate piece at the top rather than the fold over portion, and in that separate piece I should insert the elastic straps. Have you ever had success doing this and if so what are the lengths of elastic you use for the different sizes?
A question…on your waist size is is that the finished garment measurement or the child’s waist measurement?
Thanks for such a wonderful pattern!
Hi Chris,
Thanks for writing in! We haven’t ever tried using elastic for the shoulder straps so I’m afraid I don’t have instructions or lengths, but it does sound like an interesting idea! You would either have to create a separate facing for hemming the top edge to insert the elastic into, or tuck it under the hem as you fold it and then sew it flat to the inside of the hemmed top of the romper. Our waist sizes are the finished unstretched measurements of the waist with the elastic inserted.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
Bonjour pourrais t’ont avoir un patron avec des explications en français ?? Merci beaucoup. Pour le combo short en 10ans .
Hi Bonier,
Thanks for reaching out! At present, our patterns are only available in English, though we certainly appreciate the request!
Best,
Julianna
A number of people have asked for instructions inother languages espec. French. I’ve usually found that Google translate does a sufficient good job to help me translate basic instructions. (Great pattern by the way, I’ve made loads of these. The last few years I’ve made a differetn style top but haven’t written up yet how I did it – but I’ll let you know when I do!
Thanks so much for this pattern! Just finished one for my 4 year old granddaughter. Adorable!
Ce patron est très clair, précis. Ce combishort va tres bien à ma petite fille de 9ans
Votre tuto est fort bien expliqué mais je ne trouve pas le patron !!! Pouvez vous m’aider ? Merci
Hi Martine,
Thanks for writing in! You can find the pattern template linked in the materials list above, or by clicking right here!
Best,
Julianna
Thank you for the pattern! Made a few matching for my daughter and nieces. So cute and easy! Wish I could post a pic.
hi there.. thanks for sharing this wonderful pattern,i love making it. btw im a single mom of one, i was wondering on top of this pattern stated that this pattern are for home use only, so one of my cousins is interested on the romper tht i made for my daughter using your pattern, should i made a free one for her or is it okay if i sell it to her after im done making it? just asking for your suggestion and permission. thanks 😊
Hi Qistina,
Thank you for your interest in our patterns! While we’re happy you like our Summer Romper for Kids pattern, our patterns and designs are copyrighted and are for home use only. This means that you can’t use our patterns to make things for sale. We hope you understand!
Thank you for getting in touch!
All the best,
Gianna
okay, thanks for the reply 👍😊
Wow, I didn’t sew for a really long time, and yet I managed to finish it in one afternoon, even with the “help” of my 21 months old daughter.
I will definitely do another one with an airy gauze garment, because summers here in Greece get very hot.
Maybe I will try also to add fluttery sleeves to the shoulder straps.
Thank you very much for this easy and beautiful idea!
Hi Marika,
Thanks for reaching out! I am so glad to hear that you enjoyed this pattern and the romper turned out so well! Please let us know if you end up making this again and add sleeves or straps, we would love to hear how it turns out!
Warmly,
Gianna
Hi,
I’ve just completed a Summer Romper for my 2 year old granddaughter and it turned out beautifully! So easy to follow your pattern and instructions! Thankyou so much for sharing!!
Hi Cheryl,
Thanks for reaching out and for your kind words! I am so glad to hear that you have enjoyed this pattern!
Happy crafting!
Gianna
Hi,
Thank you so much for this pattern. I tried it out and the instruction are very clear. As a dressmaker I loved working with it. It was a little challenging but i learnt a lot.
My daughter loved her romper (she is 3yrs)
Hi Phili,
Thanks for reaching out and for your kind words! I am so glad to hear that you have enjoyed this pattern and that your daughter loves it!
Warmly,
Gianna
Hi, Are seams allowance included in this pattern?
Hi Lilianne,
Thanks for reaching out! The seam allowance is included in the pattern!
Warmly,
Gianna