One of the things that many new parents look forward to is finding cute clothes for their babies. There are so many options to choose from, including clothes made specifically for girls and boys and gender-neutral options.
Onesies are an essential part of a baby’s closet. They are versatile, protect the diaper, and allow for easy access. Even though there are plenty of onesies with unique patterns and fun colors, if you’re especially crafty, you might be looking for ways to create a onesie that fits your family.
There are all sorts of things that you can use to make super adorable clothing for your little one. With a bit of vision and practice, you can make darling outfits and find ways to reuse old outfits to save baby memories.
What Is a Onesie?
Onesies are basically like t-shirts for babies, but they are a little bit longer with snaps to fasten them together under the crotch.
Although “onesie” can be used to refer to one-piece pajamas for adults who are kids at heart, when talking about baby clothes, it generally refers to a single garment that snaps under the legs — unlike with most adults, onesies are everyday apparel.
Whether you’re looking for a baby shower activity or just want to add some pizzazz to your baby’s clothes, decorating onesies is simple and enjoyable.
Can I Use a Tabeeze Baby Bodysuit for These Projects?
Although Tabeeze Bottom-Up Baby Bodysuits are the only bottom-up bodysuit, they have many of the same classic features as a standard onesie. Tabeeze has snaps at the bottom and on the sleeves: This distinctive aspect of baby bodysuits allows you to slip the bodysuit on either over the head or over the legs.
Tabeeze Bodysuits come in four colors (blue, gold, rust, and white), and they’re perfect for your next craft session. There are so many innovative things that you can do with them, from Halloween costumes to coming-home outfits.
What Materials Will I Need?
There are a lot of ways to decorate a onesie, so you'll need specific materials depending on what you want to do. For example, if you want to tie dye your little one’s clothes, you’ll need child-safe dye and rubber bands.
If you’re planning on decorating onesies as a baby shower activity, there are a few easy-to-use materials that you can bring, like:
- Fabric markers
- Puffy paint
- Fabric paints
- Bedazzler
- Iron
- Iron-ons
- Stencils
- Freezer paper
- Heat bond
- Cotton fabric
- Scissors
If you enjoy sewing, you can use a needle and thread to create a lot of these outfits. (You may also need snaps and buttons.)
What Are Some Cute Onesie Ideas?
With all the crafting materials that we have today, there are a ton of things that people can do to decorate clothing, including onesies.
Here are some of our favorites:
Polka Dots
Polka dots are always precious. Plus, there are dozens of ways that you can add them to your little one’s clothes. Artistically-inclined individuals might want to add them by hand. Others looking for a simpler route can make polka dots with a stencil.
Go monochromatic with one color, or go full circus imagery with every color you can get your hands on.
Tie-Dye
Tie-dye is another colorful and simple option. As long as you have the proper materials and a way to protect your tables, you’re good to go.
You can use a variety of methods to dye the onesie:
Start by pinching the fabric and wrapping it in rubber bands. Depending on where you place the rubber bands, you’ll be able to create different designs on the onesie. You can also dip-dye the onesie by dipping part or all of it into a bucket of dye and holding it for a few minutes.
If you want to completely change the color of the onesie, you can place it into a bucket or another container of dye and leave it for the recommended time. If you want it to be lighter, you can take it out sooner, and if you want the color to be deeper, you can leave it in for a little longer. Cotton works best for this craft as it’s a very absorbent material.
Keep in mind that some dyes may not be suitable for our babies’ sensitive skin. In that case, head to your kitchen cabinets and whip up some natural dyes.
Beets, turmeric, matcha, red cabbage, and more will all evoke the colors of the rainbow. Juice or boil these ingredients for an hour or more, and soon enough, you’ll have award-worthy natural dyes.
Embroidery
If you’re inclined towards sewing and embroidery, you can use a hoop to make some beautiful and personalized designs on your baby’s clothing. You can make flowers, rainbows, animals, worded messages, or items associated with babies, like bottles, rattles, and baby socks.
Before attempting this one, consider if your baby is sensitive to thread — there’s a reason we use flat inner seams and print-on tags.
Puffy Paint Designs
Puffy paint is a common material that’s used to decorate clothing, and as long as drying instructions are followed properly, it can be used to create textured designs that your little one can feel and enjoy.
Need some inspiration? Consider clouds, puppies, or anything else that is naturally puffy for maximum effect.
Iron-Ons
If you’re not particularly good at drawing your own designs and you feel uncomfortable with using pain, opt for pre-made iron-ons. As long as you follow the directions, iron-ons can be a charming addition to any onesie.
Stencils
Stencils are another option for those whose main talents lie outside the artistic sphere (or who just want an easy task that can be done in front of the TV).
You can find animal stencils, clouds, hearts, stars, rainbows, letters, or plants and flowers. For a special twist, use letter stencils to write out the name you have in mind or a sweet message.
Bedazzle It
Do you like adding a dash of sparkle to your craft projects? Bedazzling is another fun option for decorating a onesie. You can use gems for the whole design, or you can add accents to an already existing design.
If you do decide to bedazzle your onesie, you’ll definitely want to purchase a bedazzler. Just using glue won’t keep the gems on, and they may fall or be pulled off.
Animal Silhouettes
If you’re looking for an animal theme, either draw out the print (like a cow print complete with a tail) or make it super simple with some heat-press vinyl animal faces. Imagine your little one with a bunny or panda bear face on their onesie!
It’s funny, delightful, and relatively easy to make. Plus, this makes a fabulous Halloween costume.
Bow Tie Onesies
If you think your little one needs a more dignified look, use snaps and some ready-made bow ties to create a onesie with interchangeable bow ties.
You can make a bow tie and snap it to the onesie to make it fit for any occasion — it’s perfect for a first birthday party photoshoot too.
Doily Decoration
Another fun onesie decoration could be a doily (a mat that’s made of lace). You can sew one onto your baby’s onesie to give it an antique vibe. If you want to add an extra layer of coolness, you can dip-dye the doily before sewing it to the onesie.
No-Sew Fabric Designs
If you don’t like sewing but want to use fabric scraps lying around, you can use heat bonds to add darling fabric designs to a onesie. Transform these scraps into flowers, clouds, donuts, or anything else your imagination comes up with.
What Can I Do With My Baby’s Clothes As They Get Older?
After your child is all grown up (or at least no longer wearing onesies), you’ll have plenty of baby clothes that you need to figure out what to do with. There are many ways that you can reuse baby clothes, including donating them and saving them for your potential grandchildren.
However, there might be some outfits that you made especially for your child that you want them to keep. With a little work, you can make beautiful mementos using old onesies.
Many of the options below require sewing or fabric glue, but these craft projects are adorable ways to preserve your memory of your child’s younger days:
Some of our favorites are:
- A baby quilt
- A learning activity book (which is also a great way to reuse buttons, zippers, and snaps)
- A teddy bear
- Headbands with flowers
- Pillows
- Wall art
- Easter eggs, chicks, and rabbits
Sweet Ways To Decorate Newborn Baby Clothes
Onesies are like a blank canvas that you can personalize for your little one. Although you won’t know what their interests are quite yet, you can dress them in custom outfits designed by you.
Your little one’s whole world for their first few months is you. After all, they can’t see very well yet, and they rely on you to feed them, change them, and keep them warm and cozy. Comfortable, adorable onesies can make changes easier and allow for bonding time.
Just because a onesie is practical doesn’t mean it can’t be cute too.
Sources
11 DIY Baby Onesie Ideas That Are Creative, Easy, & Perfect For Baby Showers | Romper
20 Adorably Creative Upcycling Projects To Repurpose Old Baby Clothes | DIY & Crafts
DIY Baby Onesies for Your Little ones | DIYS
How To Tie Dye With Kids In The Safest Possible Way | Romper
