How to Make Onesie T-Shirts for Babies

A onesie makes the perfect baby gift.

A creatively designed onesie T-shirt is the perfect gift for a baby shower or birthday. Onesies are the easiest and most convenient daily outfit for a baby. Personalized onesies look adorable and are sure to be noticed by friends and family. They are a great addition to family photos and a nice way to celebrate special occasions and holidays. You don't have to spend a lot of money to have the best-dressed tot in town.

Things You'll Need

• Cotton onesie
• Iron
• Appliqués with baby themes
• Iron-on letters and numbers
• Iron-on transfers
• Fabric paint, ribbon, glitter, etc.
• Needle and thread

Instructions

Choosing a Design

1. Decide on the type of onesie you want. It can be long-sleeve or short-sleeve, solid-colored or printed, full-length or short. The colors should be appropriate for the baby's gender or you can stick with neutral colors.

2. Choose appliqués with baby themes such as alphabet blocks, teddy bears or bottles. You can use iron-on letters to write the baby's name if it is known.

3. Find ready-made iron-on transfers at a local craft store or create your own transfers on the computer to make popular baby themes. Make a layout of the onesie to appropriately space the appliqués, iron-ons and other crafting materials. This will prevent design errors on the final product.

Making the Onesie

1. Wash the onesie before applying the design so that sizing doesn't become an issue, as some shirts may shrink after their first wash. This will also prevent distortion of your appliqués.

2. Create a central design on the shirt using the iron-on letters or appliqués and attach them as directed by the manufacturer. You can find cute and funny messages in books or online.

3. Decorate the remainder of the shirt using fabric paints, ribbon and glitter. You can use embroidery to accent the appliqués or stitch words and patterns.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember that crafts projects often go awry, especially if you have little experience. Practice on another fabric before using the onesie.

• After making the baby's onesie, you can also design a matching T-shirt for a sibling.

• Many appliqués can't be washed for 24 hours after they are applied, so be sure and read the manufacturer's instructions.

• Avoid using crafts like buttons or jewels that could be swallowed by young infants if they detach.

References

• "Design Your Own Tees"; Jennifer Cooke; 2010
• "101 Ways to Tees Your Tot"; Banar Designs; Leisure Arts Publication; 2007