This is something a little different from anything I've really made before - a teddy! Or a romper, playsuit, whatever you want to call it, I've made one.
I've never been that into teddies before, because I've always thought they are somewhat inconvenient - if you're sleeping in it, how the hell are you meant to work out how to pee when you're half dead? And don't get me started on the sexy funtimes.
But I thought to myself - why not? If I make it somewhat shapeless with a drawstring, it should be easy enough to work in most bedtime situations, right?
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| This was the whole design process - click for larger. |
I thought with tie-straps as well, it would be easy as pie to get in and out of in a hurry (Practicality isn't my speciality, but sometimes you can surprise yourself!). The whole basis of this was basically the now blog-centric French Knickers, squared up to create essentially a tube with legs.
There was some fitting problems in the muslin stage (again, fashion school has gotten me into good, fabric-saving habits), what with the back sagging, the underarms looking awkward and the front sagging, too. But a little cutting and pleating and I came out with this:
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| Front |
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| Back |
A somewhat shapeless mess of polkadots! I'd tried hard to match my polkadots up - but as you can see from the center back and front - I have a long way to go before I get that right. (Is there a tutorial on this somewhere?) I bought this fabric, which I'm going to guess is a polyblend by the two-way stretch, from Shepherds Bush Market, which is a mecca for all sewing enthusiasts in London, because the shops all have lovely, helpful staff that will do anything to help you out - and you can haggle a price if you smile sweet enough! I think I got this for just under £5/mt, and due to my short body I only used around a metre of the stuff.
The original design as you can see above features a drawstring around the middle, which I'd planned to have a polkadot casing around the waist - but, well, I got lazy. I added some satin ribbon loops, and simply used an old satin robe tie, again, because I am lazy.
So much more flattering, even on a wall!
I was quite happy with how this worked out, actually, and I also enjoy wearing it! The only problem I have - remember how I said practicality isn't my strong point? - is that it's on the.. tight side when sitting down. It requires a bit of strategic re-adjusting before sitting down to.. well, I'm sure you can work out. I'm going to guess a slight extenuation of the crotch should sort this out. Maybe the back's a little short. I don't know, honestly.
Sadly, it's a little uncomfortable to sleep in. It might be due to the gusset again, I'll let you know should I ever get around to doing that.
But I will say that it is incredibly easy to slip off - I will brand this teddy as fully boyfriend-proof, tried and tested!
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| Tie straps |
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| Side slits - there's a lot of hip on show here! |
And for how it looks on? I'd say quite flattering, myself! (Forgive me for having no better images!)
What do you lot think? A yay or a nay?
And what's your thoughts on teddies/rompers/playsuits/sleepsuits in the first place?
Melody ♪
PS: Sorry about the brightness of the images - I'm in the teething stages of getting to know my camera.
