Monster Bunz Mod to Soaker Tutorial

It's no secret I think monster bunz aka MB (by opulent monsters on etsy) is the greatest fit for a cloth bum.  So today I am going to show how I use this pattern to make a soaker.  I should add I have the luxe fit.

(Toddlers are not always the best models lol, this is the only still shot I managed to get).

K first up pin your leg pattern price to your wool.
Cut from 1/2 inch below small circle cut out to 1/2 inch below large circle cut out (I sew in a 1/4 inch seam allowance - quilting habit).

Next fold the pattern peice up at this 1/2 inch mark
Cut across straight edge.

Cut your waist as normal or make it shorter.  I like shorter on a soaker.

Finally cut your leg peice in the opposite stretch direction and not on fold. (Mine was pre cut so I eyeballed it).  We want the leg cuff more narrow height wise, but longer length wise as it now is going around a thigh not an ankle.

Finally sew together in much the same way.
Sew edge of cuffs then fold over and set aside.

Repeat for waist.

Sew top back seam.

Top front seam

Join leg seams forming a leg hole.
Next (and I'm so sorry I forgot a pic) cut from 1.5 inch in from the leg seam out towards the side on a scoop up by 2 inches.  This will make it a soaker and not a shorty.  Now that it is on him, and he is thinned out, I could have cut up 3-4 inches.

Place butt circle in hole.  Pin top and bottom first then ease in pinning more.  Sew (circle up).

Inside out place cuffs and waist band in leg holes and waist.  Then sew.

Lastly I fold the cuff over once more and sew up.

Wool Shorties (mod'd bunz)

In the process ofif getting ready for spring and summer Monkey is going to need wool soakers and shorties instead if his fall/winter longies.  And so the sewing has begun.  

So this is a very basic mod from monster bunz.  Basically you use the whole monster bunz pattern (available to purchase at opulent monsters).  Then you draw a line across the leg portion on the pattern.  I did this at only 1.5 inches down from the crotch (and sewed with a 3/8th inch seam allowance).  Also I cut the leg cuffs wider.  His wide depends on your monkey's thighs.  But cut smaller then their thighs, to accommodate stretch.  Also my cuffs are much shorter, they are cut at (um guessing) just over 3 inches.  (I free hand many patterns).

The other thing you can see I did was sew in a soaker layer in the wet zone.  This is 100% merino wool (un felted), but we walk a LOT in the sprung and summer so monkey will be in the stroller or carrier a fair bit, so I wanted the second layer of wool for the wetzone.  I'll be honest, sewing a layer in the wet zone after the butt circle did take sine pinning  patience.  So if your a beginner either felt instead or breathe deep, take it slow and use lots of pin .  

*yoga is ideal for projects requiring patience.  I greet the sun then either down ward dog to pegion or butterfly my legs then turtle.  You can repeat but I opt to hold each pose for 5 min.  If find this really slows me down.  

One piece short set (mod'd from monster bunz)

I really love the monster bunz pattern for my chunky monkey.  I think even for a smaller boy I'd love it.  If I had a girl, I'd try maxaloons with their more legging like fit.  

So as you know I mod'd the pattern into a one piece. 

Well here I've shortened that into a one piece shorts set.  To do this draw a line across the leg portion of the pattern 1.5-4 inches down from the crotch.  (More or less depending on baby's size / desired length). 

The other thing I've done is sewn the back waist of the pants half with elastic in the hem.  This prevents the but gap I was getting before.  (I can easily sew elastic with a zig zag into the previously made one piece sets).  This has made this outfit not require snaps,  but could have booth if you prefer. 

There will be other outfits coming for Monkey's spring/summer collection. I'll be using monster bunz one way or another I'm sure.