Bloomers Tutorial... Part 2.

After you have the elastic in the waist, you then move on to the leg holes. Start by ironing down the edges so that you will be able to better correctly, and straighly, (is that a word... probably not)... anyway, you iron the seam down, so that the raw edge is inside... and make a little pocket for you to thread the 1/4 inch elastic through, making sure to leave space at the top of each leg hole for pushing the elastic through. That probably didn't make sense... basically, you sew around each leg hole, and make sure not to sew all the way around so you can thread elastic through.

In order to thread the elastic through, you need to get an itty-bitty safety pin. First take the small safety pin and pin down about 1/2 inch through it, so that it the safety pin can push through and it not come undone from the safety pin... Then take a BIG safety pin and affix it to the other end, this is so when you get to the end, you can still have a hold on the other end. If not the elastic pulls all the way through and you have to do it again... It happened to me several times... very frustrating... You might have to do it a few times to get it through... it takes a little bit to get it right, because the different angles of the fabric... but eventually you will get it... after you do... pull both sides of the elastic, and sew the two together... I used 12 inches of elastic on each leg hole, and cut off about an inch and a half to make it be the right size...

The bloomers I did tonight, I added the ruffles before sewing. It added a few challenges, but in the end I liked it because it helped to make sure the ruffles were even and not slanted... so... you can either put them on first or last... In my case I have done it both ways, and the only problem with first, is if you put the ruffles too close to the leg seams, because it causes the fabric to turn, which isn't noticeable when the elastic is in place because it is gathered, then you can't easily push the safety pin through... so you have to be careful... I put three layers of ruffles. The picture isn't great, but my photo guy is working on his skills. Her outfit was a hit. Very cute and matched.

Here's a picture of the finished tiara ruffled bottom bloomers. Perfect!

Paired with a rhinestone initial onesie, and flirty baby leg warmers. So cute!