Beyond Buttons: T-Shirt Dresses
In my previous t-shirt dress post, I was asked to share how I made them. So today I sat down to make another one so I could explain with pictures. To create the skirt, I make the waist about twice the width of the child’s waist. For example, if her waist is 10 inches, I make the width 20. For the length, I measured how long I want it and then add a couple of inches for seam allowance. Then I draw my pattern on sewing tracing paper and make it into an ‘A’ line skirt (using a yard stick). I, then, cut the pattern out on the fabric for the skirt…
I have both of my girls lengths on there and just fold it when I am making the shorter one. This pattern is placed on the fold of the fabric (the straight line side) so when it is cut and you open the fabric, it will be longer than the waist of the shirt…
Two skirt pieces should be cut. In the picture above, the shirt is cut already. To cut the shirt, I hold it up to my daughter to see where I want the waistline to be, then I cut it. Here is a photo of how much I took off of this particular shirt, though every shirt is different…
I then sew the two skirt pieces together at the sides, using about a 3/8″ seam…
Then I sew a gathering stitch (on my sewing machine, it is the number 4 setting) on the top of the skirt (the waistline). Then I put the shirt inside the skirt (right sides together) matching the bottom of the shirt to the top of the skirt…
I line up the skirt seams with the shirt seams and, then, gather and pin the waistline…
Then I sew the waistlines together…
I, then, hem the bottom and the new dress is finished…
I sure hope that helps. They make wonderful little dresses for lil’ girls, older girls, and mamas.
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Very cute! I love the colours!
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Thank you Mrs. HsKubes for this tutorial! This is much easier to understand with the pictures! ;) I want to try making one of these, maybe after the end of the year though. :) I have seen these before, but they had no directions, just pictures. Some other ones I’ve seen use long sleeved shirts for winter. :D
Blessings to you!
~Rachel~
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Aww…my Mum did that for me before!
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AWWW>.. that’s cute!
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OMG!! that was so easy. why haven’t I been making dresses like that? You rock!!
In Messiah,
Teresa/Navah
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That was a great tutorial! We have made some of these before, but your example looks much better:)I will make more!!!
Blessings,
Jenna
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Thank you, ladies. I’m so glad this tutorial was helpful.
They can be made with such fun variations!
As Miss Rachel P mentioned, using a long sleeve shirt
is great for during the cooler months.
In addition, pockets could be added to the front,
appliques could be applied, a lace trim around the sleeves and hem could be used, a ribbon could be tied around the waist.
The possibilities are almost endless.
Happy sewing! ;o)
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This looks like a great easy way to make up some dresses for my daughter.
Since there’s no closure, and the skirt is not a stretchy fabric, is there ever a problem getting it off and on (tightness in the waist having to go overhips or head)?
Thanks!
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So cute! A person, if they wanted, could embroider a pattern on the skirt–you could also add pockets, lace, or whatever because it is a very flexible pettern
Hannah
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It looks great! I have only made one for my little girl and in the process of making her another one.
She truly enjoys wearing them and they are so easy to make :)
blessings,
maria
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