A couple of weeks ago we kicked off our Puzzle Pieces series with a combination of the Ring Around the Rosie Romper and the Flying Fox Dungarees to create a fun and frilly pair of overalls. This week we're back with another great mash up - the Merry Romper! This outfit combines the Merry Go Round pattern bodice and large collar with the Ring Around the Rosie high bloomers for an all new take on the patterns, perfect for parties or playgrounds!
I fell so in love with this version - but one of the best parts of the whole outfit is the insides. They have the perfectly polished finishings of a high end store bought garment, no serger necessary! I simply used French seams for the side seams of the bloomers and the rest took care of itself. The Merry Go Round bodice is designed so all of the seams are neatly and beautifully enclosed.
For the bodice I followed the instructions as per normal and added the large collar piece. For the Bloomers I sewed the side seams (with French seams as mentioned above) and added the skirt placket from the Merry Go Round Pattern. The bodice of the Merry is very roomy so I only had to lightly gather the waistline of the bloomers before following the Merry instructions on Garment construction. If you would like a more fitted version of the bodice just simply size down on the pattern. The Merry was designed with play and movement in mind and I like the added ease because my little ones are constantly on the go!
Speaking of "on the go" - how difficult is it to photographer toddlers?! Luckily for me her Daddy came home just in time to capture the back - and all of us girls always stop and smile when he arrives. For this pattern you'll need a lightweight woven - this one is a printed cotton lawn from Spotlight - 4 buttons, coordinating thread, 1/4" elastic and a couple thin strips of fusible interfacing.
This was a very satisfying sew with the entire process - from piecing the pattern together to finished garment - completed in about 3 hours. I have 2 small children and am currently staying with family and renovating a caravan to move into so those three hours were drawn out over 3 sessions - but you get the idea! Typical mama stuff - always getting life done on the threads of the day!
And as with all of our patterns - the Merry Romper has been thoroughly tested to withstand extreme play, handstands, toddler contortion, racing away from adult supervisors with rapid like precision all while looking cute as a button (a naughty button, but an adorable one none the less;)).
