So Soft Corduroy Overalls

I love overalls on little kids! They look so adorable romping around in them and you can't beat them for fit when you have a skinny-waisted child! I bought the pattern for these overalls last fall (Butterick 4966), but knew that I would have to wait for LA to grow into the sizing. Well, she is finally big enough to make them without making major alterations (or so I thought)!!

The fabric is by Robert Kaufman. It is 21 wale corduroy and is AMAZINGLY soft. LA is big into "feeling" fabrics when we go to the store, so I know she will love this one!

I made SEVERAL alterations to the original pattern (which is VERY poorly written and sized). I added snaps to the inseam so that diaper changing would not require the entire outfit to come off. Seriously, who designs these patterns? Obviously someone who doesn't have to change diapers. Actually, on a craft board I frequent, a poster shared that most of the patterns by the Big Four (McCalls, Vogue, Simplicity, and Butterick) are written by computer programs, so it is no surprise that they are not always logical!

Another modification I made was in the shoulder ruffle. The pattern called for a single piece of fabric to be hemmed at the edge. I didn't want to see the underside of the fabric, so I made it so that the ruffle is one pieces that is "self lining" if you will. I am surprised the pattern did not do it this way anyhow considering the entire bodice is self lined. Oh well. I ended up doing the same with the leg ruffles.

The sizing on this outfit is WAAAAAAAAAAY off! According to the packaging, LA should fit nicely in a size 1. I don't know what crazy system of measuring they used, but the original is HUGE! The bodice fits great! Then you get to the "pants" part and it all falls apart. The armholes were way too big and the length was made for a 3 year old. Luckily, those are easy alterations to make after you have already sewn and then try it on only to see your child swimming in the outfit. My only sad part...my nice, beautiful armholes now are not as nicely lined. Oh well...just don't look at my kid's pits ok?

I also had to modify the zipper in the back. The pattern called for a 12" zipper, but I could only find a 9" zipper in dark brown. That was a very easy fix and quite honestly, 12" was not necessary at all!

In the end, it turned out very cute, even after giving me a few headaches along they way. Will I make it again? Probably. After all, I am a sucker for overalls and ruffles!!