Notice thata the front overlap is greater at the neckline than at the hem. That’s an interesting way to add a little flare to the shirt, which has no side seams. I will be replacing the utility buttons with mother-of-pearl.
It was like a Match.com encounter in my sewing room. This little hand embroidered diaper shirt purchased in Old San Juan on one of my teaching trips to Puerto Rico needed a mate–you know, the half that would make it whole. It was purchased on one of my teaching trips to Puerto Rico.
After plundering through all my patterns, the bubble from Old Fashioned Baby’s Summer Clothes pattern seemed like a good companion. The shirt and the bubble would work well together and yet could go their separate ways. Here in central Florida where new grandbaby Vivian Rose lives, the weather can be 85 degree in Feb. and then 55 degrees (or colder) in March or April. The coordinating shirt and bubble offer comfort in a wide range of temperatures.
As I searched my stash for a fabric to bring the bubble to life, this sweet Liberty of London print seemed like a perfect, well, match. There are a lot of blues in the print, but one of them is the same shade as the embroidery on the diaper shirt.
I’ve been on a roll with OFB patterns, but I especially like the simple design which allows you to add your own embellishments without redrafting the pattern. Vivian Rose’s mother had specifically requested ruffle bottom outfits. Adding that feature to this 3 piece pattern (front, back and crotch extension) was easy. Baby tatting gave an even sweeter look.
With a shirt from Puerto Rico, fabric designed in England and produced in Japan, tatting made in China and a pattern from the bayous of Louisiana, this set is like a meeting of the United Nations.
I’d really like these pieces to present as a happy couple rather than two random individuals partnered in an arranged marriage.
Right now, the plan is to add the same baby tatting to the bubble neckline and sarmscyes. But I haven’t yet figured out to combine the tatting with the diaper shirt. The tiny scalloped edges are machine made, but very cleanly trimmed. Perhaps I could cut 3/4″ from each sleeve, reverse it and sew it back on to make a cuff with the scallops at the top. Then tatting could be added to the seamed cuff edge.  Or should I just leave it alone and omit the tatting?
Any ideas or opinions?
