Project Nest! Embellished bodysuits

By Published On: October 12th, 2012

Project Nest is P&N’s sweet, little handmade haven. So lock […]


Project Nest is P&N’s sweet, little handmade haven.
So lock and load those glue guns and pull out your popsicle sticks, mamas, it’s about to get crafty in here!


Dress up baby’s basic duds with quick and easy DIY embellishments.
Total cost:Varies depending on materials, but could easily be done for only a few dollars per suit.
Total time: Not counting washing and drying your materials, this project could be completed in just a few minutes—it took me about 20 minutes to do four bodysuits. It’s that easy!
Supplies:

  • Bodysuit(s)
  • Fabric (scraps will work since you don’t need much)
  • Scissors
  • Iron-on fusing
  • Not shown: iron and ironing board, pencil or pen

I used bodysuits from L’ovedbaby, because I prefer a thicker quality suit; however, you can grab a multipack of suits from your nearest big box store and they’ll work fine. Our fabric came courtesy of Moda and is from their Simply Color line. I picked up the Heat’n Bond from my local craft store for $3.99, plus I had a 40 percent off coupon (score!).
Instructions:
1. Your first step is to gather up your bodysuits and fabric and wash and dry everything (hold the fabric softener). While your machines are doing their work, hit the internet and find your shapes (or, if you’re so inclined, draw your own!). I wanted basic, easy to cut shapes, so I chose a heart, a bird and a fish, and I threw in a pumpkin at the last minute in the spirit of the season. (It would also be cute to do baby’s initial.)
Most of my shapes were from free kid’s coloring pages—I just printed the page at 40 or 50 percent instead of full page, which made them about the right size for the front of a baby’s bodysuit. (You might have to play with the shape size a few times to get it right.) I printed my shapes onto regular paper, but if you want to be able to reuse them in the future you might be better served to print them onto heavy cardstock or trace them onto cardboard.
2. Once your bodysuits and fabric have been washed and dried and you’ve cut out your shapes, you’re ready to get started embellishing your suits. Iron your fabric and bodysuits so you’re working with nice wrinkle-free materials, then turn your iron down to medium or so, depending on what the directions on your fusing state. I used Heat’n Bond, which worked great—the only change I would make for next time is to buy the sewable version, so I can stitch a cute trim on my embellishments.
Note: Since the directions will vary depending on your specific brand/style of fusing, it’s important that you read the specifications on your package. My Heat’n Bond required medium heat, no steam, but yours might be different, so check the instructions!
Grab the shape and fabric you want to start with, and cut out a square from the fabric that’s big enough to cover the shape you’ll be using. (You can now put the shape to the side for the next few minutes.)

3. Open your fusing and cut out a piece that is roughly the same size as your fabric square.

To connect your fusing to your fabric, place the back of the fabric against the slightly rough side of your fusing (i.e. the side that doesn’t have paper on it—I flipped mine over from the picture above). With the paper liner facing up, follow the directions to fuse the two materials—I simply held the iron on the paper liner for 2 seconds, and my fabric was fused and ready for the next step.

4. Trace your shape onto the paper side of your fabric/fusing and carefully cut it out.

So now you have your shape with the paper lining on one sideand your fabric on the other side.

5. At this point, I recommend going ahead and fusing/cutting all of your shapes. Using the same process, I also created my bird, fish and pumpkin.

6. It’s time to put those pretty pieces on some bodysuits! Again, you’ll want to follow your specific instructions, but mine were simple: Remove the paper lining, place the embellishment (fusing-side down) where you want it on the bodysuit, and press and hold the iron for 8 seconds.

7. And it’s just that easy to create this:

Cute, right? This is a very simple and rewarding project, and it’s a great way to spruce up baby’s wardrobe without spending a lot of cash. It also makes a fun shower activity!

And, of course, they look even cuter on an adorable baby.
Happy crafting, mamas!