Bubblegum Jumper Tutorial

I'm going to let you in on my prized secret tutorial.

Ok, I haven't won any prizes and it isn't a secret. There are some things you should know about this jumper though before you decide to make it.

1. It is super cute
2. It can be worn in any season. Layers in the cold and no layers in the heat. 
3. It grows with your girlie. Jumper length, tunic length, shirt length. It's all good.
4. If you haven't attempted buttonholes yet it is an awesome project to start. There are lots of buttonholes. Don't be scared, I know you can do it!
5. It is super cute

That is my 4yr old in the picture. Her 6 yr old sister has a jumper just like this. It has an applique of a bubblegum machine. Thus, we refer to it as the "Bubblegum Jumper".

You've seen the front, this is the back...

Cute, huh? Just admit it!

Uh, oh...let's pretend we see a picture of our supplies.
What you will need:
-Sewing machine and all that jazz
- Fabric- a yrd is plenty
- Measuring tape/scissors/rotary cutter
- Buttons
Use 1/4 inch seam allowance unless otherwise noted.

Please note: I used a 59' twill fabric. This works great with quilting cottons, corduroy etc. be but aware these fabrics normally come in 44/45' widths. You may want to add width if you choose to use those types of fabrics, or be aware your dress or top will be less full. I have found from sizes 3-7 the full width of fabric works wonderful for all sizes. If your child has a large chest measurement, or very small you may want to adjust accordingly. Long disclaimer done! :)

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Measurements and Pieces
I will tell you how to get your measurements in a second, but when you are done you should have 5 pieces. 2 for the straps, 2 for the chest and one long piece for the skirt.

Straps- measure your child from mid chest, up over the shoulder to the same spot on their back. Add 1.5 inches. Cut the width as 3.5 inches (when constructed this will be a 1.5 inch width strap).
For example- my child's strap measurement was 9.5 inches + 1.5 inches = 11 inches.
I cut 2 pieces 11 inches by 3.5 inches.

Chest Pieces- This will be the top part of your dress. Measure around your child's chest. Add 2.5 inches for seam allowance and back overlap and 2 inches for ease. The width will be 2.5 inches (you can adjust if you want a thicker band- this makes a 2 inch wide band).
For example- my child's chest measurement is 22 inches + 2.5 inches seam allowance + 2 inches ease = 26.5 inches so I cut 2 pieces 26.5 inches by 2.5 inches.

Skirt- Measure from mid chest to desired length. Add 1.5 inches for seam allowance. Use full width of fabric or adjust to your heart's desire. I haven't done it yet, but a stripwork skirt would be cute! Make one, and then show me!

Let's be different and start with our skirt piece. Press each of the short edges in by 1/4 inch and then in again by 1 inch. Do the same thing to the bottom edge.

Take to your machine and unfold bottom hem. Hem the sides that you have just pressed in. Then fold back up the bottom hem and sew that too. Set aside for now.

Right sides together take each strap piece and sew down the long end and down one short end leaving one short end open to turn. Clip corners and turn/press.

Topstitch approx 1/8 inch in along all 3 sewn sides. Set aside for a minute.

Using a fabric pen make a mark 2.75 inches in from the edge of one of your bodice pieces. Do this on the other end too. Do this on the right side of your fabric. I was having trouble getting my mark to show up on the right side in photos so did this on the wrong side. This will be for strap placement. Trust me on this, it will be fine for pretty much any little girl size. You can always adjust the front placement at the end. Trust me my friends!

Lay one of your chest pieces right side up, place your strap pieces on top, the outer edge of the strap lined up with your mark and then the other chest piece right side down on top. Pin all the way along. Make sure you pin both straps, I'm just showing one edge here.

Here is a better view.

Starting on one short edge, sew...then along the long edge and down the other short edge. Leave the bottom edge open.

 This is what your long chest piece will look like at this point. Turn right side out and press.

Topstitch 1/8 inch in from top edge and then also 1 inch in from each short side.

I don't have a photo of this, but take your skirt piece and with a fabric pen mark quarter marks on the top. Also mark quarter marks on your chest piece. This will just help you make sure that your gathering is even.

Now, do two rows of gathering stitches on the top edge of your skirt piece. If you need some additional instruction on gathering see my Ruffle Jean Tutorial. Gather to fit the length of your chest piece. Pin right sides together.

This is what it will look like from the other side. Flip it back over and sew along your raw edge attaching your skirt piece to your chest piece. Zig zag your edge. Pull out your gathering stitches.

Press seam up towards the chest piece and topstitch.

You are almost done! Button time! Seriously, don't be scared. If you don't have a lot of practice just practice on a piece of scrap. There is no right/wrong to how many buttons. As you can see from my pictures at the start of the tutorial my buttons don't even match. The only thing that they have in common is that they are roughly the same size. I did this so the buttonholes would all be the same size.

Now, I find the easiest way to do buttons on this jumper is to do them sideways instead of up and down. I've made marks here at two inch intervals. Do your buttonholes and then on the other side of your jumper sew on your buttons! See the nice one inch space we made on the side hems? We did this so it would be easier to center your buttons/buttonholes.

Here is the back again.

Now, Mark the midpoint of your chest piece and make marks two inches to either side. You can also try the jumper on your little one and measure this way, but I find two inches to either side of the mid point is usually perfect for little girls of all sizes. Sorry no picture. You're smart, you don't need a picture!

I chose to do my buttonholes in the chest piece and the buttons on the straps but you can do opposite. You could even use snaps but I know you can do buttons!

Have I ever told you guys just how much I love this little girl? Look at her bright eyes. She makes me smile....and rip my hair out in frustration....but mostly she makes me smile.

Now go and make a jumper and then show me! I'm going to get a Flickr group up shortly to post your awesome photos, I'll post a link when I do!

Have you entered Giveaway #2 yet? If not, go HERE! You have until Saturday the 10th 7pm PST to enter.