Make a Cute Playsuit from Rosies Sports Shorts and Fun and Frilly Top Patterns

When I was designing my Fun ‘n Frilly Top I had so many variations swirling around in my head and this one just wouldn’t go away. So instead of working on my new pattern, I pulled out my Sports Shorts pattern and my Fun ‘n Frilly Top pattern and started to play.

And I can’t believe just how easy it was to get the cute little Playsuit that I was dreaming of. With only one trial outfit, a few adjustments and the result was perfect!

Rather than create a new pattern to sell on my website, I wanted to show you how easy it is to adjust patterns to create something new and encourage you to get adventurous with your existing patterns. You’ve got to love a ‘free pattern’!

The following shows you exactly what I did to create this super cute Playsuit.

1. Cut 1/4 inch (6mm) off the top of my Sports Shorts pattern.

2. Cut 1 inch (2.5cm) off the end of the Frill of the Fun ‘n Frilly Top.

3. Take 1 inch (2.5cm) from the centre of the Fun ‘n Frilly Front and Back Piece for Options 1 and 2. I did this by drawing a line 1 inch (2.5cm) to the left of the dashed line and gluing Part 1 on top of Part 2 matching the solid line with the new line.

4. Make the Sports Shorts up as per the instructions BUT without making the top casing.

5. Make the Fun ‘n Frilly Top up as per instructions BUT instead of hemming the top, press ¼ inch (6mm) of the raw edge to the right side.  Complete the remainder of the top as per instructions but do not add elastic around the neck.

6. With the top inside out, mark the centre front and back of the top with pins.

 7. With the shorts right side out, match the centre front and back seams of the shorts and mark the folds at each side with pins.

 8. Slip the Shorts inside the Top matching the centre front of the shorts with the centre front pin of the top, the centre back of the shorts with the centre back pin of the top and finally the two side pins of the shorts with the side seams of the top. The rights sides should be together.

 9. Now move the raw edge of the top of the shorts down ½ inch (12mm) and pin in place. The extra fabric from the top will form the casing for the waist elastic.

 10. Sew together ¼ inch (6mm) in from the raw edge of the shorts.

11. Pull shorts out so that everything is inside out and fold under the ¼ inch (6mm) raw edge that you pressed earlier. Pin in place. This will be the casing for the waist elastic.

12. Sew close to the fold starting at the centre back and leaving a small gap at the end of sewing so that you can thread the elastic. Secure the stitches at the beginning and end with reverse stitches.

13. Thread elastic through waist casing, overlap the ends and stitch.

14. Thread elastic through top casing and finish off the top as per the instructions. Turn playsuit to right side and dress your doll.

I was so surprised at just how easy this outfit was to create from two of my existing patterns and one of them, the Sports Shorts, is available separately or is a bonus pattern that comes with my How to Make Doll Clothes video course.

It also works the same for the Cabbage Patch patterns.

‘Sew’ I’d love you to give it a try and let me know what you think. Don’t forget to send me photos so I can share them in my next Share and Tell blog.

Happy sewing