Toddler Dungarees

You Will Need

- PROJECT BUDGET
- Reasonably Priced

OLD JEANS = TODDLER DUNGAREES
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It's been a while since I've done any sewing, but today I unpacked the sewing machine and set to work transforming a pair of well-worn jeans into dungarees for Ruben.

These jeans were so so soft, but sadly had literally been worn to shreds in places. So I teamed them with some striped cotton print fabric - and now they have a new lease of life!

I have signed up for Wardrobe Refashion once again, and even though my pledge doesn't officially start until the 1st of March, I'll just call this a head start! There is something so massively satisfying about giving new life to an object that otherwise would have been binned.

Here's how:
(This is going to ba a massive post with pic overload, sorry!)

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Start by gathering your supplies. You will need:
♥ Pair of knackered jeans (or a fabric of your choice) ♥ Fabric for the trim (0.5m is plenty) ♥ A pair of trousers that fit your child + paper/pencil to trace a pattern ♥ 0.25m elastic, 5mm wide (optional) ♥ Matching (or contrasting if you wish) thread ♥ Buttons or snaps ♥ 0.25m bias binding (optional)

And of course, you will need your sewing machine, scissors, pins etc...

Ready? Ok, here we go!
Place your child's existing pair of trousers onto some paper and trace a pattern round them. Remember to add sufficient seam- and hem allowances! If you are lazy like me, you can skip this step and trace directly onto the fabric.

Place your pattern onto the jeans. Remember you're keeping the outer leg seam. If you are using other fabric, fold it, and treat the fold as if it were the outer seam - if you see what i mean? Cut two of these - one from each leg. You could overlock the raw edges if you want to, but I never bother...
It's a good idea to make the back a bit higher, as you'll need a bit of extra room for the bum!

Next, cut two rectangles for the bib, one from the jeans, and one from the trim fabric. I just eyeballed it so I haven't got a measurement.
also cut a strip of trim fabric approx. 7cm wide and long enough to go around the waist. Make straps as well - I forgot to take a pic, but do this however you wish!
Now use some of the trim fabric to make pretty turn-ups! Place the trouser-leg on top of the fabric and cut a piece of fabric to fit the bottom 10cm. Repeat for the other leg, obviously!
Place the leg piece and the trim fabric right sides together and pin. (Again, I am lazy, I don't pin..) Sew along the bottom.
Fold the trim fabric over to the wrong side, pin and sew. I like to make the trim fabric visible at the bottom of the leg, as shown.
Place the two pieces right sides facing, pin and sew the two top curves.
Open the resulting "tube" and you will see a trouser shape emerging! Now pin and sew from the bottom of one leg, right up to the crotch and down the other leg.
At this point I used some bias binding to conceal the raw edges on the wrong side, so that it will look good when turned up. If I had done this the right way in the first place I wouldn't need to do this!!!
Time to make the bib. Place pieces right sides together, sew along three edges, turn and topstitch. I added a pocket too - and you can of course add anything you like, perhaps a nice applique or embroidery?
Time to assemble! Place the straps and bib right side down onto the trouser part. Place the strip of trim fabric on top all around the waist, also right side down. Pin and sew all the way around.
Fold the trim fabric round to the wrong side, and topstitch round the whole waist. Take care not to catch the straps or bib in this seam, like I did...
This next step is optional, but I like to encase some elastic in the back, for a better fit. Attach the elastic at the side seams, and sew along the bottom edge of the trim fabric at the back back to make a casing. Be careful not to catch the elastic in the seam!
Now, all you have to do is to add either snaps or buttons to the straps and bib! I used snaps, but buttons would perhaps be even nicer. Finally, chase down your toddler and make them model your creation!