How to Sew a Bodysuit with the Lullaby Line Bodysuit Pattern

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We’re here today to show you all the ins and outs of how to sew a bodysuit. For our pattern, we’ll be using the Lullaby Line Lap-Tee Bodysuit from Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop. This bodysuit is a perfect building block for a baby’s wardrobe and will give how options of how to make a bodysuit in a number of different ways. The pattern has a slim fit and makes the perfect bottom layer. It’s also packed with a ton of options. These include options for a:

Bodysuit Pattern
Lap Tee Pattern
Bodysuit with Built-in Dress / Peplum
Dress / Peplum Option
Short or Long Sleeves

Alright, with all of that out the way, I hope you get your pattern and follow along with us on how to sew the Lullaby Line Bodysuit and Lap-Tee.

How to Sew a BodySuit | Bodysuit and Lap-Tee Sew Along

Part 1 | Choosing Your Bodysuit Materials for Sewing

For this project, you will need knit fabric. For optimal fit, I recommend something fairly stretchy (around 30%) but if you’re sewing for a slimmer child then less stretch will be fine. The listed choice include interlock or jersey for the body but if you want to mix things up a bit you could use waffle knit, Ponte knit, etc. KnitFabric.com also has a good selection of Waffle Knits and a handy Guide to Waffle Knit Fabric.

Let’s talk snaps…I’ve tried them all so hopefully, I can be of some help. The pattern lists size 15 or 16 for the snap size but I’ve used size 20 and those worked fine too. When it comes to the type you have 3 main options:

1. Metal Hammer-In Snaps

You can find these at Jo-Ann’s and you either buy pliers to go with them, the little blue tool, or your use a hammer to pound them in. I use these occasionally and I like that they lay nice and flat once they are in. Definitely less noticeable than plastic. I use pliers to put them in and generally have good luck. I’ve heard bad things about the little blue tool and using a hammer is HARD. They are also a bit pricey but you can use a coupon and it’s nice being able to just grab them at the store.

2. Babyville Boutique Snaps

You can also get these at Jo-Anns and they are similar to KAM snaps. They are plastic and come in quite a few colors. I don’t know if I just got a bad batch but my first pair of pliers broke and I’ve had quite a few snaps either break or pop out later. My 2nd pair of pliers (don’t worry they were free) is still working and I use them with my KAM snaps. Maybe someone else has had better luck but from personal experience they aren’t my favorite.

3. Kam Snaps

In the cloth diaper and baby world, KAM snaps are definitely considered to be the gold standard. Tons of colors to choose from and they work great. I’m using KAM snaps with my babyville boutique pliers and haven’t had any trouble. Seriously love them 🙂 They are also super cheap in comparison to the other options. I did a quick price check and you can get 10 sets for 75 cents. And that only gets cheaper as you buy in larger quantities. The only downside is you have to get them online so you might have to wait a few days longer to get your hands on some. Lots of online stores carry them so shop around. I just placed an order with I Like Big Buttons and shipping was super speedy. Good prices too and I found their color chart to be very accurate. I’m not an affiliate but I would recommend them if you don’t know where to start.

Hopefully that helps you decide which snaps to go with 🙂

Part 2 | Printing Your Bodysuit Pattern

First things first, make sure to have your Bodysuit Pattern printed off and ready to go. All patterns should be printed at 100% and you should always check you 1″ scale box to make sure it is printed properly. You’ll also notice a cutting chart on there for your binding pieces and the optional cuffs for the long-sleeve option.

Part 3 | Choosing Your Options to Sew Your Bodysuit

Next you’ll want to choose your options. The pattern includes short and long sleeves in either a bodysuit or a lap tee. A lap tee is named for the “overlapping” shoulders and is basically the tee version of a bodysuit. I’ve had a few people ask about that 🙂

Part 4 | Cutting Your Pieces:
If you are doing one of the included options then cut away! If you want to do one of the variations you’ll want to wait until below to cut into your fabric as we’ll be making some tweaks 🙂

Here’s a couple basic bodysuits I made for our new arrival (1 for if it’s a girl and 1 for it’s a boy) to give you a little inspiration:

Variation 1 | Ringer Tee Bodysuit Option

Now we’re going over how to do a bodysuit with a t-shirt neckline. It’s a nice touch for the bigger kids and it’s actually easier to sew than the original option:)

At least my little dude seems to like it! Or maybe it’s just the construction fabric 🙂

First, we need to tweak the pattern for the new neckline. Just fold between the notch and the little dot marking. This will give you a nice angled shoulder. Now when you cut your pieces make sure you add a seam allowance (I did 1/4″) at each shoulder

Next, sew the front and back together with the right sides together. Now don’t miss this super important step! Try it on over your kiddo’s head. If it seems snug then trim the neckline so it’s a bit wider. For a 2t on my round-noggin little boy, I was fine with it as-is but younger babies do have much larger heads compared to their overall body size so you might need to adjust.

Cut your neckline piece to 1.5″ wide by 85% of the neck opening measurement. Sew it into a loop and try this piece on over the head as well. It really is much easier to check now 🙂 Fold your binding so the long edges are together and then sew both raw edges to the neckline. Flip the binding up, press flat and topstitch in place with a zig-zag or double needle. If you need more detailed instructions you might want to grab a copy of the Classic Ringer Tee Pattern to walk you through it.

And that’s it! Super simple modification to get a whole new look 🙂

Variation 2 | Bodysuit Dress Tutorial

Now we’re going over the bodysuit dress variation which just might be my favorite 🙂 All the comfort and coverage of a bodysuit but with a fun feminine touch. I made one for my darling niece who turns 1 next month. I made this bodysuit 18 months to last through the summer so she still has a bit of growing room

Love those snaps hiding under there! No more digging around to find matching bloomers 🙂 If you want to make this bodysuit for a toddler you can definitely skip the bottom portion and just do a lap tee dress which is even easier.

Bodysuit Dress Step 1: Decide where you want the skirt portion to start (mine is a couple of inches below the armpit) and cut your bodysuit pattern in half. Cut out your pieces adding a 1/2″ seam allowance along the bottom edge of your bodice and top edge of the bottom piece. This will give you room to sew on the skirt without losing any length. If you are doing the lap tee bodysuit version you won’t need the bottom portion of the pattern.

Bodysuit Dress Step 2: Next it’s time to cut the skirt piece of the bodysuit. Decide on your finished dress length. Measure the bodice from the dot on the pattern piece (where the shoulder will be) to 1/2″ above the bottom edge. Subtract that from your dress length and then add 1″ for the seam allowance and hem. For my 18 mos. bodysuit dress I used a piece 12″ long to make an 18″ dress. The width depends on how full you’d like the dress to be. I went with 2x the bodice width.

Bodysuit Dress Step 3: Sew up the top and bottom of the bodysuit by following your pattern instructions

Bodysuit Dress Step 4: Sew up the side seams of the bodysuit skirt and hem. Gather the top edge to match the bodice width and then slide it over the bottom portion of the bodysuit.

Bodysuit Dress Step 5: With the right sides together sew the skirt/bottom to the bodysuit bodice. Make sure you don’t stretch out the bodysuit as you are sewing or you will end up with a wavy seam. Mine stretched just a tiny bit but not enough to bother with it

And that’s it! Now go make a dozen more for all the little girls in your life 🙂

Bodysuit Variation 3 | Romper Mash-Up

Now I have a baby romper tutorial to share with you! It’s a fun and easy mash-up of the Lullaby Line Bodysuit and the Lazy Days Romper.

Definitely a comfy outfit for little ones!

With lots of room to play and go about important toddler jobs 🙂

Let’s get started with the bodysuit and romper mash-up!

Bodysuit & Romper Mash-Up Step 1: First off you’ll need to get your bodysuit and romper patterns printed. I did a mash-up of the 2t bodysuit and the 24 mos. romper. I used the bottom half of the romper but lengthened the hemline a bit so I could do a standard hem instead of a binding. You can definitely keep it as-is I just wanted a quick sew 🙂

For the top half, I lined up the front neckline of the bodysuit with the romper neckline and then traced out the top portion of the bodysuit. The bodysuit is quite a bit narrower than the romper so I narrowed it down a bit along the side seams. I ended up narrowing through the legs a bit since Will is very slim but for most kids, I would keep the legs the same and maybe widen the top a bit instead.

Here’s my altered pattern all ready to go:

And all cut out

To sew up the romper I used the bodysuit instructions for the top half and the romper instructions for the bottom. Quick and easy!

Alright – there you have it. You’ve learned how to sew a bodysuit for children. Make sure to come check out what everyone else has made in our Sew Along Photo Album! Also, make sure to come share what you make in our Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop Facebook Group. Before you leave, we have a wide variety of other posts you might enjoy too:

How to Sew a Bodysuit with the Lullaby Line Bodysuit Pattern — DIY Valentine Envelopes