"whale" onesie

I've been making a lot of baby-related crafts lately because I know a lot of people having babies this year. I love to give handmade gifts. For me, making something allows me to give a gift that is special without going broke - I get into trouble at kid's stores. I end up wanting to buy EVERYTHING.

My latest creations? Appliqued animal onesies...

My parents got me a new contraption for Christmas that has made my onesie-making a lot more fun. They got me a Slice Fabrique - a little contraption that is programmed to cut a bunch of fun designs out of fabric. I've been playing around with it a little and love the endless possibilities. My brothers got me the "Animal Frenzy" design card that I used to make the the whale and penquin appliques.

Since I know not everyone has access to a Slice machine - and many don't have the interest in purchasing one - I decided I'd make a little tutorial on one of the more simple applique patterns that could easily be cut out by hand - A WHALE!

_______________________________________________

Here is what you'll need to make your onesie:

a onesie (any size you choose)

Sewing machine (or needle and thread if you choose to sew by hand)

Heat N Bond Lite

iron/ironing board

a small piece of embroidery thread (for the eye)

3-4 coordinating fabrics (small amounts)

WHALE TEMPLATE

_______________________________________________

First, wash and dry your onesie and fabrics to pre-shrink all of your materials.

Next, iron on your Heat N Bond to the wrong side of your fabrics.

Now you're ready for your whale template!

Using the template, cut out a body, a tail, a belly and a water spray.

(you can reduce or enlarge the template to make whatever size whale you want!)

Arrange your whale pieces onto the onesie.

Once you have them in place where you want them, iron your pieces in place.

(I suggest reading the instructions on the box of your Heat N Bond - most of them say don't use steam)

After you're done ironing, add an eyeball!

Using coordinating or contrasting thread, stitch around your whale on your sewing machine using whatever type of stitch you'd like - I used a contrasting dark blue thread with a zig zag stitch.

You're done! You now have an adorable, one of a kind, onesie.

Final step: give to a cute kid.