Weave and Sew a Special Outfit for Your Special Baby

Designer Malynda Allen loves to sew. She created this special-occasion baby romper using fabric woven in cotton and bamboo for softness and sheen. Enjoy this subscriber bonus project from Handwoven Winter 2024.—Handwoven editors

Celebration Romper by Malynda Allen

I love to sew, and the idea of sewing a special outfit from handwoven fabric for a new baby appeals to me. I did not know how to weave when my own babies were born, so weaving for a new grandchild is a welcome opportunity.

I didn’t want to use a traditional huck fabric, as huck christening gown examples abound. I felt that although a twill would be pretty, it would make the fabric thicker than I wanted for a sweet, tiny outfit. I chose to use M’s and O’s in an eight-shaft draft from Carol Strickler’s Weaver‘s Book of 8-Shaft Patterns. I adjusted the draft for a slightly more petite, delicate pattern, and I played with the suggested treadling and a few of my own ideas until I came up with a fabric I liked.

This romper features a band of diamonds across the bodice front, while the sleeves and remainder of the outfit have sweet dots of M’s and O’s. Plain-weave cuffs finish things off. A cotton warp is crossed with a bamboo weft. The bamboo gives a subtle contrast and shine to the pattern and a softness to the cloth.

This fabric would also look very nice with a colored weft in bamboo or 16/2 cotton for other special occasions. Whether you choose to make this romper for a christening, wedding, or other event, it is sure to become a treasured heirloom.

A close-up look at the M‘s and O‘s across the bodice front of the Celebration Romper.

Project at a Glance and PDF Link

STRUCTURE
Plain weave and M‘s and O‘s.

EQUIPMENT
8-shaft loom, 18" weaving width; 15- or 10-dent reed; 1 shuttle.

YARNS
Warp: 16/2 cotton (6,720 yd/lb; Maurice Brassard), #101 Blanchi, 1,852 yd.
Weft: 16/2 Bamboo (70% bamboo/30% cotton; 6,720 yd/lb; Maurice Brassard), #BB8000 Naturel, 1,126 yd.