What could be more appropriate for your summertime wardrobe than a lace romper? I’ve had my eye on this style since last summer, but instead of buying I decided to try my hand at making my own. In many ways this project evolved as I worked on it, I wasn’t exactly sure what it would look like before I started (I was thinking it might be halter but went with strapless in the end) but it turned out to be exactly what I needed for hanging by the beach or a bit of high summer boat hopping.
Although this project may look complicated, in reality it wasn’t. It was an update to the project I did here where I made a pair of shorts – I simply extended the pattern out to create a pair of shorts very long in the waist to cover the bust. Presto!
You need:
- 2 meters (2.2 yards) of lace fabric
- 2 meters (2.2 yards) of lining fabric (I used light cotton)
- ribbon or twine for the waist
- thread
- scissors
- a pair of shorts as a template
When choosing shorts for the template this project, go for something a bit oversized in the waistband. If you don’t have that add a few more inches all the way around to the pattern because what we are aiming for here is an oversized shape that will gather at the waist when tied with ribbon.
1. Fold your fabric in half and line up your shorts (also folded in half) along the fold with the bottom hem in line with the edge of the fabric.
2. Cut around the shorts, using them as a guide. In a previous here I used a template, but this time I just used the shorts instead and eyeballed adding a few inches around to allow for the hems etc.
4. Instead of cutting the fabric to be in line with the waistband of the shorts, I added another 30 cm or so (the space from your waist to your armpit). Cut a second piece exactly the same.
5. Open the two pieces out and lay them flat against each other like this.
6. Lay two pieces of lining fabric over the top to fully cover the lace and use the lace as a guide for cutting out the same shape for the lining.
7. You will then have 4 pieces – 2 lace (the outer shell) and two lining (the inner shell).
8. Now, lay the pieces on top of each other in this order: lining, lace, lace, lining. Basically you will have the lace encased by lining. Then pin the pieces together all the way along the curved edges. Sew the edges using a zig zag stitch. Choose one side which will become the front of the garment and leave the seam open a few inches (refer to image in step 11 to see why).
9. Now, this is the tricky bit. Flip the fabric around so instead of the seams being on the sides, they are in the middle. Pin and sew the crotch together. There is another example of me doing this here for those of you that need more visuals.
10. Your finished product should look like this.
11. Your romper is starting to look better! Take the time to put it on and play around. If you put it on and it is too big across the back or droops down at the armpits, take it in by sewing a deeper seam for the back – I took mine in a little bit but it will all depend on your body shape.
12. Once you are happy with the way it sits, turn it inside out and tie the front ties together. When you put it on make sure to tie it tightly so it doesn’t fall down. If you are worried about it riding down, add some simple straps using ribbon or twine (in either normal or halter style), however I found that when I wore a strapless bra and tied the front knot tightly it didn’t fall down. I think again that it will be down to your body shape.
13. Add the ribbon or twine to give it more shape on your body, trying at the back or in a bow at the front.
When you wear the romper make sure to gather it at the waist particularly at the front so that the seam which goes all the way up isn’t so obvious.
Wearing: DIY Lace Romper, DIY Transparent Satchel, Karen Walker Sunglasses
Photos of outfit by Lauren Engel
super cute for the summer! love this one!
http://www.styleandshades.blogspot.com
That is so pretty, you are really talented.
xo
http://pinksole.com
Just by looking at the picture I was sure it is a dress (and I already loved it). How cool is that you made shorts instead 😀 I think it’s even more practical than a dress with that lenght, cause you will wear it with no fear that someone will see to much… And the lace… BEAUTIFUL and so girlish 😀
Thanks so much! Summer is a great time to wear a jumpsuit so you don’t show the whole world your knickers when you are running all over town!
That’s what! Only you can imagine this and create. We just keep wondering how?! Sigh!
P.S. The romper looks fabulously chic!!
http://bythewear.blogspot.in/
This is amazing! You made it so easy! How do you figure this out! I can’t wait to try making my own, thank you!
It really just happened by chance when I was experimenting, was so happy when it worked out.
You look so great! I have to try that!
A gorgeous DIY! And I love the background of your first pictures!
xo,
Dani
Wow this looks so cute, I like the sixties style! I just made a jumpsuit, my latest blogpost is about it. I’m now following, I really like your tutorials, you explain them so clearly!
xo
http://www.couturella.blogspot.com
Thanks so much, I’ve been trying to explain them better and better so people can recreate them!
It s simple , it s chic , it s feminin , it s beautiful
thanks for this post!
I can’t believe you made that! You’re so crafty! It looks lovely on you.
http://www.fullbellywornsoles.com
I love this! Your such a good DIYer! I might have to try and dot his myself! <3
http://styleitwithme.blogspot.co.uk
looks amazing!!!
Kisses
Ewelina
xxx
chiclifestyleofewelina.blogspot.com
Love it, get me some lace right now! It’s so sweet for summer
Lauren
livinginaboxx
bloglovin
OMG this romper is amazing!! I didn’t even think of making my own romper instead I’ve been trying to find the perfect one. Thanks for the tutorial!! I’ll definitely try this out!!
http://love-your-ego.blogspot.de
So pretty, have to try this!
http://www.minisaska.blogspot.com
I love it!
this really is gorgeous; you’ve made it so simple!
a playsuit is definitely a must have for those hot summer days x
http://www.thatgoodgirlchi.blogspot.co.uk
that’s so perfect! 😀
<3 Sharmaine Ruth
underpeachtrees.blogspot.com
Omg. So cute. And it looks pretty easy :s
This looks fantastic on you, and so perfect for a beach cover-up!…It looks remarkably simple to do!…xv
http://vickiarcher.com
Wow, that looks great! I really like how well explained your tutorials are!
Keep up the good work!
Giveway on my blog is ending in few hours so act quick 😉
http://www.lifestylefun.net/2013/05/4-obletnica-bloga-in-nagradna-igra-4th.html
Nice post! I love your look! XX
That lace is too cool! Where did you get it from, and does it have any stretch to it? It looks like it might.
I bought it in China actually, and it has a little stretch just because it is cotton and lacy, but I don’t think it has any lycra in it or anything.
Wow, NICE! I’m usually not a romper fan, but I may just have to try this. It’s so cute and summery and surprisingly simple!
Pretty!! But looks like it’ll fall down D:
really simple DIY that i’m excited to try! never thought to trace a pair of comfy shorts and i’ve been looking for a playsuit/romper for when it gets super hot a lot of the time the waist to crotch is too small and uncomfortable for me.
I know what you mean, with this one you can tailor it to your shape which is great.
This is just amazing! I’m obsessed with how yours came out. I gotta try this one day.
http://www.pinsneedlesfashion.com
You have the best DIYs on the Internet — and the easiest to follow. So glad I found this blog.
Wow that is such a lovely thing to say, you’ve made my day! 🙂
You make it look so simple!
http://www.danizooblog.blogspot.com
You make it look so simple!
http://danizooblog.blogspot.com
So cute, very well done! xx
ENTER MY GIVEAWAY
http://www.creativityandchocolate.com
Wow, that’s amazing! Thanks for the inspiration! 🙂
doesn’t look too hard!
http://guesswhatfashion.blogspot.pt/
Love this blog! By the way, maybe we could follow each other on Bloglovin and/or GFC, Facebook?
Please leave me a comment on my blog and I will follow you!
http://kstylick.blogspot.com
You can also like my Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/Kstylick
Great diy. The romper looks so lovely <3
xx
glamdevils
Wow! You have an amazing set of skills there! I’d probably butcher it, but I’d love to try my hand at this one day!
xx Nicole
http://www.pasdunfantasme.com
You’ll never know unless you try 🙂
Great tips! Thank you!! http://fashionissue-byzanetbel.blogspot.cz/
Great idea! I will try it!
Lots of Love, SAMOROUS
Damn.. that is cute. so freaking creative.. gotta try it if I got the time.
well done!
Great pics!!! Well done!
http://www.addictedtofashionforever.com/
Forget DIY, this is full on fashion designer behaviour. Love this G! xx
South Molton St Style
Awww honey thanks! I’m so happy to hear you like it. I’ll make you one!!
Such a cute romper (well playsuit as we call them in England)! I wish I could make something like this x
http://www.ofbeautyandnothingness.blogspot.co.uk
Thanks so much Heather – we call them a playsuit in Australia as well actually, but most of my readers are based in the US so sometimes you just have to choose one and go with it! Glad you like it! xx
Oh, it’s so beautiful! Looks like a dress!
Get’s a place on my To-Do-List
Amazing photos!!
http://aboutdrama.blogspot.ru/
Love this tutorial and the fishished look is so fresh but elegant and fun all at the same time! LOVE!
This Jumpsuit is Gorgeous!
So perfect!!!
Wow! you are so creative, and this is the perfect look for the beach, it also look very comfortable! have to try this 🙂
http://kellyhicksdesign.com/blog
This is amazing. I can’t wait to make it! 🙂
Great idea !! I love it 🙂
xx
this is soo amazing! you are so creative. the beautiful part of your creativity is that you love to share it with others!! thank you for all your hard work!!!
xo.
http://www.fashionwithaview.com
[…] This DIY edging romper is super, super cute. […]
What a great idea! It looks amazing on you! Love all your ideas. What an inspiration.
Corporate Catwalk
Facebook Page
amazing idea, love it !
x from France
http://thegriffure.com
Absolutely love this! There is just something about white lace that makes me so happy!
So summery right? I love it too!
Ho this is really cute, I have to do this !
Thank you for this DIY.
BLEURGH
http://www.say-bleurgh.blogspot.com
Can’t wait to create this myself with all kindsa materials!!
It’s lovely, gotta remember this one!
That is a wonderful idea.
SO CUTE! well done!
http://www.fashion-form.blogspot.co.uk xxx
What a fabulous idea!! I love this blog!
Can`t wait to finish work and start my own diy project!
kisses
It’s one thing to be able to make a beautiful garment from a pattern, but to have the ability to create a beautiful garment from scratch is such an amazing talent. You’re an inspiration!
http://www.salutetocute.blogspot.co.nz/
Awww thanks! To be honest I shy away from patterns – something about my mother forcing me to use them when I was younger. I think it’s about time I got into them again!
Love your romper! You look so comfortable AND fashionable!
what a great idea…
thank you for all your inspirations.
groetjes
vreeni
http://www.freakinyou.blogspot.de
So lovely!
love a good romper
Thanks!
coucou
je découvre ton blog et je suis vraiment fan
c’est sulime merci pour tous ces tutos
je prépare un article sur mon blog et je me suis permise de parler de toi
à très vite Sandy
This is so pretty, I love it.
http://jossewandshow.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/dress-to-playsuit.html
[…] project gallery with anything from shoes to clothing to household items! Check out this cute romper she made out of lace […]
So cool and you are talented <3
GORGEOUS GORGEOUS, def will try this!
[…] This romper is easy to sew, and looks super adorable. Wear it for a day out with the ladies, a picnic in the park, or even to the beach. It’s lightweight and gorgeous for all summer long. Gather 2.2 yards of lace fabric, 2.2 yards of lining fabric, ribbon for the waist, thread for sewing, scissors, and a pair of your shorts to use as a template. Perhaps even choose a pair that is a bit large, for some extra give in the waist. See the full DIY directions on the AP & AS blog. […]