Little Lizard King (LLK) Astoria Playsuit Bib Hack

6/12/2018

We all have had that pattern that you make and can't help but become completely obsessed with. LLK's Astoria Playsuit has had me hooked on it for what seems like months. I am seriously in love with it, some might even consider it an addiction. I decided to switch it up a bit and hack the Astoria Playsuit with a bib which is perfect for endless possibilities and cute embellishments. If you are ready to become addicted to Astoria you must read on.............Things are about to get creative and fun.

I have made numerous Astorias for my youngest daughter Riley. I love this pattern so much and it really is quite addicting. I never made rompers for my oldest daughter Chloe so maybe that's why. If you are looking for romper patterns Little Lizard King Patterns has a super cute selection for babies/toddlers. Here are a few original Astoria playsuits. So cute and great for floral and fruit prints.

Supplies needed for altering
the pattern

This is just what you need for altering the pattern. You will also need the supplies listed in the pattern.

*LLK Astoria Playsuit Pattern
*Computer and Printer to print pattern
*Paper
*Scissors
*Tape
*Writing utensil (pen, pencil, or marker)
*Disappearing ink pen
*Ruler (preferably a grid ruler)

Print or trace

LLK has the wonderful layers option so you can print only the size you need. The bottom box says do not uncheck. Usually I always leave that box checked but in this case I am drawing on the pattern and wanted as little print as possible.

Print the LLK Astoria playsuit pattern in the size needed. You are going to want to print 2 for the Astoria Playsuit front (pages 49 and 52) One for altering the front and one for the lining.

Another option is to trace the pattern if you already have an original one printed. I recommend keeping some of the paper scraps after cutting out your pattern to tape in a seam allowance.

Planning the bib size

The length of the bib is completely up to you and can take some time figuring out how long you actually want it to be. You need to consider the 3/8" seam allowance that is being sewn along the neckline as well the 1/2" seam allowance that is being sewn at the bottom of the bib. How big you want the bib depends on what you are embellishing it with. Also do you want it to line up with the back of the playsuit or be higher up?

I made size 9 month width/12 month length for Riley (13 months old) The first time I made my stitchline 6" down which was perfect for buttons and ric rac.

6" down from neckline (12 month)

The second time I did the stitchline 5" down. Which was great for hand embroidery. Neither one came down enough to meet up with the back of the romper which is how I wanted it. I think I prefer the shorter version but both are adorable right?

5" down from neckline (12 month)

If doing larger sizes you may decided to do 6" or 7" and with smaller sizes you may choose 4" or 5". You may choose a longer or shorter length. This is all up to you.

When deciding you may want to line up the back romper piece to see where the bib falls in comparison to the back. Keep seam allowances in mind for both the back of the romper and the bib when planning.

Altering the Astoria Playsuit to make a bib romper

Using your grid ruler you are going to line it up parallel to the neckline and draw a straight edge where you want your stitchline to be.

You are then going to draw 1/2" above that line for the romper cut line and 1/2" below that line for the bib cut line. Cut along the bib cut line to create your bib pattern piece.

Grab a piece of your scrap paper and tape it to the top of your front romper bottom piece that you just cut the bib off of. Use your ruler to draw both sides up 1" and connect them at the top. Draw your 1/2" seam allowance stitchline inbetween. Cut it out accordingly.

You have now created 2 pieces for the front of your romper. The bib and the front romper bottom. If you altered your pieces right the stitchlines will line up and will be the same size as your front romper lining piece.

Cut out

Cut out all the pieces necessary stated in the pattern except for the Astoria Playsuit Front. You will still need to cut out one lining piece for the front but the main piece will be one bib piece and one front romper bottom like pictured.

You may decide to embellish your bib here with lace, ric-rac, buttons, ruffles, trims, etc... I added hand embroidery to the bib after I sewn the pieces together but it is up to you what you want to do. Anything that will need to be enclosed in the seam will need to be done right now.

Preparing the concave/convex corner (inward/outward seam)

Staystitch 3/8" along the front romper bottom corner starting about 1" from the center. Clip the corner right up to the stitching line but do not cut through it.

On both bib and front romper bottom mark your 1/2" seam allowance with a disappearing ink pen. Be sure to dot the center points on both pieces. This is going to help with getting an exact point when figuring out where to stop your needle and turn when sewing the pieces together.

This is the tricky part

Pin with right sides together, just one side, starting in the center by lining up the center points you marked.

Starting on the outside stitch with your 1/2" seam allowance along your line until you get to your center dot. Stop exactly in the middle of your dot.

This part will be the trickiest. You are now going to bring the unpinned sides together, line them up with the right sides together and sew along your line. Be careful not to pinch the fabric by the center dot. Take it slow and check underneath as needed to help prevent puckering.

.Notch the center corner of the bib piece only. The romper bottom already has a clip.

Then press the seam upward.

Flip over and press the front. The corner may have slight puckering but should still lay flat. Topstitch and/or add some trim if you want. Continue following the pattern directions for adding straps and finishing the rest of the LLK Astoria Playsuit.

Other possible alterations

There are so many different ways to embellish the bib and the possibilities seem endless and addicting. I added embroidery to the bib and bias tape along the bib seam and on the strap flutters.

Another thing I did was sewn the elastic casing and the bias tape leg casings on the right side of the fabric. It gives it a nice alternative to add more detail to the romper bottom. I am seeing baby bum ruffles in the near future for Astoria.

Upcycle

The nice thing about Astoria is it doesn't take much fabric to make. I made this dress years ago when my oldest daughter Chloe was a baby and I was still a beginner sewer. I love the sunflower print and wanted to upcycle the dress. Astoria was the perfect candidate. All I had to do was cut the skirt off and there was plenty of fabric for what I needed. I may need to head to the thrift store for some shirts to upcycle into Astoria. Like I said Astoria is addicting.

There are so many more ways to get creative with Astoria and I can't wait to try some ideas I have in mind. Please share your photos with me by emailing them to pinkpicklez@hotmail.com With your permission I will feature them in the inspiration gallery. Have questions, ideas, thoughts...etc leave a comment in the comment section. Have a happy addictive sewing day!!!!!