how to make a t-shirt dress.

This is the perfect summer dress for any little girl!!!

{i know you are thinking..."can i have one too?"}

It is simple, doesn't require too much fabric and definitely doesn't require a pattern.

Feel free to add and alter!!! Go a little crazy :)

What will you need? {besides your sewing machine}
a t-shirt, 1 piece of fabric for bottom, 1 piece of fabric for main skirt, measuring tape, and scissor

First we are going to figure out the measurements for your t-shirt and skirt...

I am giving you measurements, but the best way would be to put the t-shirt on your child and mark with a pen where to cut!

Also then measure how long you would like the dress and calculate skirt fabric measurements

{mine are just guidelines!}

I also would use the entire width of the fabric, unless you are making 6m-24m sizes.

Size 6-12m:

cut main skirt 9"x 36''

cut bottom band 5.25" x 36''

cut t-shirt 1.75" below arm hole

Size 12-18m:

cut main skirt 10.5'' x 38''

cut bottom band 6'' x 38''

cut t-shirt 1.75" below arm hole

Size 18-24m:

cut main skirt 12''x 40''

cut bottom band 6.35'' x 40''

cut t-shirt 1.75" below arm hole

Size 2

cut main skirt 12.5" x entire width of fabric

cut bottom band 6.75"x entire width of fabric

cut t-shirt 2'' below arm hole

Size 3

cut main skirt 13.75" x entire width of fabric

cut bottom band 7.5" x entire width of fabric

cut t-shirt 2.5'' below arm hole

Size 4

cut main skirt 15" x entire width of fabric

cut bottom band 8" x entire width of fabric

cut t-shirt 2.75'' below arm hole

Size 5

cut main skirt 16.5" x entire width of fabric

cut bottom band 8.25" x entire width of fabric

cut t-shirt 2.75'' below arm hole

Size 6

cut main skirt 18.25" x entire width of fabric

cut bottom band 8.75" x entire width of fabric

cut t-shirt 3'' below arm hole

Size 7

cut main skirt 20" x entire width of fabric

cut bottom band 9" x entire width of fabric

cut t-shirt 3'' below arm hole

Size 8

cut main skirt 20.75" x entire width of fabric

cut bottom band 9.75" x entire width of fabric

cut t-shirt 3.25'' below arm hole

Now after you have determined your measurements, let start cutting!!

I would use the entire width of the fabric, unless you are making 6m-24m sizes.

If you are making a smaller size just look above for width of fabric suggestions!

Cut your fabric to appropriate sizes.

{my new fabric tool, a rotary cutter}

Now measurement below the arm hole and cut your t-shirt straight across.

This is not going to be perfect because t-shirts are IMPERFECT!!!

Some of you are going to hate me for saying this, but just "eye ball" it :)

 

Now we are going to sew the side seams together for the bottom band of the skirt.

Sew with right sides of the fabric together!

Now fold the two edges of the band together and iron.

This is going to create a pretty edge for the bottom of the skirt, so you don't have to hem :)

{you could also do a ruffle, but thought i would start simple}

Now we are going to sew the side seam together for the main skirt fabric... 

Sew with right sides together... {lost this pic, but do the same as the band}

Let's finish the inside seams of the dress.

If you don't have a serger, then we can just zigzag stitch!

Cut close to the seam, about 1/4 inch...

Adjust your sewing machine to a zigzag stitch that will create a stitch something like this...

Next we will attach the band to the bottom of the main fabric, which is now a circle.

Pin into place, first begin matching the side seams and go all the way around the skirt attaching...

Next sew into place...

Finish the seam, by cutting close to your stitching and then zigzag all the way around.

Next iron and top stitch around the band to make it pretty {and proffes}

Now we will create a gathering stitch, my increasing your stitch length to 5 and stitching around the top of the skirt.

Pull the bobbin {or bottom} thread and gather your fabric.

You will gather your fabric until it is the same circumferance as your t-shirt.

The best way is the match your side seam of your t-shirt first... and pin into place

Make sure you are matching the right side of the t-shirt to the right side of the skirt fabric!

Then match the fold of the fabric with the other side seam of the shirt... and pin into place

Now continue to gather and pin, until the skirt and t-shirt match up.

Pins will be your best friends here :)

Now sew!!  

But make sure the ruffle is on the bottom and t-shirt is on the top, while sewing!!!

T-shirts will stretch and get pulled funny if it is on the bottom... then you will be mad at me :)

After sewing the t-shirt and skirt together, Trim close to the stitching and zigzag to finish the seam!

Now let your imagination run wild...

I added ricrac and a flower for just a little fun!!!

{just fold under edge of ricrac and top stitch to the seam of the dress}

Let me know if you have any questions!!!

happy sewing.