Do you ever have gift giving anxiety? I do. I am always very concerned about finding the “perfect” gift. When one of my dearest friends announced she was having a girl, I immediately started thinking about what I could make her. I knew it had to be as fabulous as my friend!

Having very limited options for supplies in the small town where I live, I had to get creative. I headed to Walmart with no clue what I was going buy. I ended up with a package of onsies and a couple striped tees I thought I could refashion.

By some small miracle the baby sack was created. It has been my “go to” baby gift ever since. I love that they are soft, easy to change a diaper in, not to mention adorable. My sweet friend ended up loving her’s and calling it a “baby maxi dress”.

Here’s how you can make one too:

Supplies:

XL or Larger T-Shirt

Newborn or 0-3 Month Onsie

1/4 inch elastic, about a 10 inch piece

The Plum Verbena Baby Sack pattern (click to print)

Sewing Machine

Cutting Mat/Rottary Cutter/Scissors

Matching Thread

 

Optional: (But who am I kidding, embellishments are never optional in my world.)

Felt

Sew-on Snaps

 

Step 1: Print all four pages of the sack pattern. Line up the black lines to assure proper sizing of the pattern. I recommend tracing your pattern onto freezer paper, and then cutting it. Line the bottom of the pattern up with the bottom of the tee. Cut out your fabric.

Step 2: At the cut ends of the tee, carefully sew over the existing stitches to secure the lose threads. backstitching several times. But, being careful not to close the casing that the hem has made. This assures that your hem will not come undone.

Step 3: With right sides together, using a zigzag stitch, sew the sack bottom down each side. Starting at the top and ending right above the already made hem of your tee. Backstitching at each end. No need to serge since it’s knit.

Step 4: Using a basting stitch (set you stitch to it’s longest stitch length and your lowest tension) sew along the top of your sack bottom- do not backstitch.

Step 5: Gently gather the fabric to the same size as the chest circumference of the onsie by pulling the back thread of your basting stitches.

Step 6: Slide your onsie into the sack bottom. Line up your side seams- pay careful attention that your gathers are even. Pin in place.

Step 7: Using a zigzag stitch sew the sack bottom onto the onsie.

Step 8: Thread elastic through the existing hem casing creating a loop through both sides of the tee. Sew elastic ends together. Spread fabric evenly over the elastic, this will hide the elastic and the ends of the tee that were not sewn together in the 1st step.

Optional Step: (Again, why do I keep calling this optional!? Baby girls need all the extras!)

Step 9: Embellish!! Felt flowers at the neckline, flat felt bow at the waistline, possibilities are endless. Let me know if you would like my flower pattern, and I will see what I can do. Use a snap to secure the embellishment to the sack. This ensures safe washing of your garment, since the embellishment can be removed beforehand.

And you are done! Package that little sack up as the perfect baby gift. Or if you are so lucky, put it on your own precious baby. Of course, you might want to add a handmade headband too.

Head on over to I am Momma Hear me Roar next Monday, the 16th where she will be auctioning off this sack for a great cause! We are so honored to be a part of her For the Love series.

As always, let me know if there any questions in the comments below. Happy sewing.

(Huge thanks to Tai Lee Photography for the gorgeous pictures in this post!!)

Linking up with: http://www.craft-o-maniac.com/, http://www.mommybydaycrafterbynight.com/, http://www.sugarbeecrafts.com/, http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/, http://www.vwbblog.com/, http://shwinandshwin.blogspot.com/