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If you're tired of the ho-hum pastels and puppies for your baby's clothes, you can easily make your own rockin' duds for your little stud from vintage tees or band shirts. Here are instructions on how to make a romper (also known as a onesie.)

  1. . Fold both the t-shirt and the romper in half and lay the romper on top of the shirt, lining them up at the fold. Trace.See how the crotch on the romper puffs up because it's in a shorts shape? Ignore that. You'll have to fudge a bit for the bottom part. Use the image as a guide.You should narrow the sleeves (or take them off altogether, up to you). So basically you're cutting a chunk out of the armpit and then letting it widen for the legs.
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  2. Sew on the armpit line only. Don't close the leg area.
  3. . Go ahead and cut your bottom line too, just make sure you leave enough to hem or you'll get an underwear shape.
  4. onto the other side. Don't let your cat help, he doesn't have thumbs.
  5. . If you use snaps, reinforce your fabric with something that doesn't stretch so they hold up better. Make sure your closures are so that the flaps point toward each other when you go to close it. So both sides should be facing up when laid flat.
  6. . Otherwise, you'll want to hem. Cut that little diagonal slit between the crotch flap and the rest of the leg so your corners don't bunch.
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    Is it possible to make a romper without having to sew anything?
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    Community Answer
    Use fabric glue. I got a large bottle from Walmart for $20 and I use it for everything.
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Tips

  • Using a youth t-shirt will minimize bulk in the shoulder area. If you want to use a larger shirt, you will need to make the neck smaller. A seam in the back will do this for you.
  • If you don't use sleeves, you can hem the armholes for a more finished look.
  • For a larger shirt, it's better to avoid using sleeves unless you're willing to do a major overhaul.
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Things You'll Need

  • Youth t-shirt
  • Sewing machine or needle and thread
  • Pen
  • Scissors
  • Closure (snaps, snap tape, hook&loop tape)

Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about sewing and tailoring, check out our in-depth interview with Jae Mee Kim.

About This Article

Shaelynn Haning
Co-authored by:
Professional Tailor & Business Owner
This article was co-authored by Shaelynn Haning. Shaelynn Haning is a Tailor & Business Owner based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Shaelynn is the founder of the highest-rated and most-reviewed alterations and tailoring service in Oklahoma, Tallgrass Tailor, employing a team of skilled craftsmen and women from across the country and the world. Shaelynn is a member of the State of Oklahoma Education Careers and Technologies Board and a member of both the Custom Tailors and Designers Association and the Association of Sewing and Design Professionals. She is the host of The Sew Show with Shae, an entertaining and educational sewing channel posting weekly videos on YouTube. Shaelynn earned her BS in Apparel Design and Product Development from Marist College. This article has been viewed 402,337 times.
111 votes - 77%
Co-authors: 28
Updated: June 27, 2025
Views: 402,337
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 402,337 times.

Reader Success Stories

  • Nula McMillan

    Nula McMillan

    Nov 25, 2017

    "The most helpful part was the step-by-step guide! Now I'm making loads in bulk for my girl."
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