Up next in the baby wardrobe series is 0-3 months. This size is harder to define than the other sizes. Some pattern companies have newborn and 0-3 as separate sizes and others just have one or the other. I put everything for babies 21-24 inches tall with a chest circumference of 15.5-16.5 inches in this size category.
Pattern: Princeton, Little Lizard King, Retired
Fabric: Robert Kaufman Mammoth Flannel from Raspberry Creek Fabrics
Size: Newborn
Thoughts: I really like the triangle yoke with the stripes of the plaid. It’s a straightforward pattern that is good for playing with fabric direction and pattern placement. It was tricky getting the seam enclosed, but still possible with careful hand sewing.
Pattern: Abilene, Little Lizard King
Fabric: Vintage, Michael Miller
Size: Newborn
Thoughts: I made a matching dress in size 12 months as a gift. In the bigger size, it was really quick and easy. This newborn size was much trickier to sew the tiny puff sleeves. I really like this pattern, but I don’t think I would make it again in this size.
Pattern: Hanna, Little Lizard King
Fabric: Robert Kaufman Mammoth Flannel from Raspberry Creek Fabrics
Size: Newborn
Thoughts: This is meant to be a looser fitting style, but it seems really big to me. I’ll update when I have tried it on the baby. The pattern itself is a great gender-neutral option.
Pattern: Shirt, Laurel. Shorts, Vallejo. Little Lizard King.
Fabric: Shirt, Rib knit from Raspberry Creek Fabric. Shorts: Vintage, Jersey.
Size: Newborn
Thoughts: For the shirt, using the same fabric for the main and lining made the construction tricky. The rib knit is very stretchy so I should have used clear elastic to stabilize the neckline. The shorts were very quick, especially with a rolled hem.
Pattern: Augusta, Little Lizard King
Fabric: Vintage, Dear Stella
Size: Newborn
Thoughts: This was a really fun romper to make. I love the practicality of a skirted romper. The elastic back is so cute and easy to get on. I find dresses on babies difficult to manage since they are always riding up and need to be continually pulled down. Having the skirted romper still gives the look of the dress while solving the riding up problem.
Pattern: Romper, Malibu. Headband, Elba. Little Lizard King.
Fabric: Vintage, Cranston Print Works.
Size: Newborn
Thoughts: Another really fun to make romper. I figured out how to enclose the waist seam with the elastic by changing the order of construction a bit. I sewed the bottom to the bodice main and hand sewed the lining of just the elastic section. I then inserted the elastic and finished hand sewing the lining in place around the rest of the waist seam.
I think I could have combined this size with the newborn size instead of trying to have two separate sizes. These rompers and dress would work fit on a baby that is shorter than 21 inches and the waist on all of these patterns is very forgiving. Babies grow quick in the first few months; careful pattern selection means outfits will fit for a longer time.