Recently, I had the opportunity to test out Little Kiwi’s Closet Bow Back Beauty. I was assigned to make 2 bodysuit options in the 6-12 month size. I chose a smaller size, because Little Miss is tiny! She’s such a peanut. I figured, based upon the measurements that it would fit better than the twelve month size, and I was right.
Originally, I had planned on sewing with fabrics I’d had in my stash, however, Wining Husband and I made a trip to our local Salvation Army. While we were there, I saw a great red and cream print shirt. I knew that shirt had to be upcycled into this little project. I found a matching cream cardigan, and grabbed those. The second option with long sleeves was made from upcycled turtlenecks snagged during the same trip.
Sewing the Bow Back Beauties
I eagerly cut up the shirts so that I had my pattern pieces, and I began assembling the bodysuits. They have envelope necklines – which aren’t too tricky, but you do want to make sure you baste well and sew slowly over the bindings that are meant to be tucked under the sleeve fronts. It’s a great advanced beginner/intermediate pattern, and while I think that a beginner could handle it, I think a little experience with a project or two beforehand would be beneficial.
Always, always, always change your needles
I’m a bit of a fanatic about this, generally, and I was changing my needles – but the knits I used for this required a 65 instead of the usual 75 ballpoint I have on hand. After running out to get the proper needles for the project, I solved the problem in the picture you see to the left. Seriously, a new ballpoint in a smaller size was all it took to keep me from screaming at my machine in a rage fit.
Long sleeve one-piece shirt with peplum
The first bodysuit I made used two turtlenecks – one had blue, gray, silver glitter, and pink stripes, the other was a pink that matched the stripes. I really love how this came out.The fit, even though it’s a 6-12 month is a little loose in the back – but honestly, I like the way that the back drapes on her. When she sits, it pulls taught, but in a comfortable way. Like I said, the most difficult part of this pattern is sewing the sleeves on. When it came time to attach the peplum to the bodysuit (when I tested, the alternate instructions were not available yet), I put the bodysuit on Little Miss, and then marked about where I wanted the peplum to sit. I the removed it, turned the peplum inside out, and slid it onto the bodysuit upside down, so that the edge of the peplum lined up just under my mark. I pinned it in place, stretched the suit slightly to align with the skirt, and voilà, done. I hung it up and noticed that somehow, somewhere, my stripes on the peplum moved and were off-center. Because you know how much I LOOOOOOVE seam ripping, I decided that I was okay with the off-center look and that a flower would go above it. Perfect. Love the way this one turned out. (More about bodysuit 2 after the image gallery)
Bodysuit # 2 – red and tan
This bodysuit was much more of a challenge. The fabrics I used were really slinky and slippery. Originally, I thought I’d leave the peplum off on this one. I cut it anyway “just in case.” Because I was upcycling shirts, I accidentally cut the circle across a seam – even though I’d checked it three times to be sure that wasn’t the case. So…I did what anyone would do when I decided that I did, indeed , want the peplum. I cut the seam off, following the curve of the other side. I also was going to do arm bands on a sleeveless version – but, I decided that it wanted short sleeves. In fact, it needed short sleeves, so that’s what I did. I placed the peplum on with the shorter part on one side, and the longer on the other, so it would create a waterfall effect. For the pictures, I styled it over a Joe Fresh tutu and with Converse baby sneakers. I LOVE both so much. I’m already thinking about doing a third – the full dress version with the high low skirt that comes in Little Kiwi’s Closet’s Bow Back Beauty pattern. The pattern is for sizes NB-14. Designer Lydia Persson really amazes me with her talent.
