How to make a T-shirt dress- super easy and cute!

Super easy, adorable T-shirt dress for a little girl. 

pocket

I have a favorite t-shirt, one of those so soft cotton shirts that are just super comfy! It was from Old Navy, long, and a bit flowy and ruffled. Not you’re regular straight simple T, though that would work as well. It had a pocket and ruffled sleeves. But it got stains up near the top and I could no longer wear it. Rather than toss it, I held it up next to my daughter and thought I could make it fit her!

She loves it, not only because it’s an adorable little sundress, but especially because it was mine. That made it extra special to her.

What you’ll need: 

-An adult size plain t-shirt. Preferably a woman’s medium or small. 
-Two ribbons at least 16″ long. (I used a thin ribbon, that was barely long enough, because it’s all I had, but I would prefer a wider ribbon)

First cut, the top of the shirt off. 

 I didn’t do any measuring other than eye-balling it. I held it up to Boo to see the length I liked (which was falling a bit past her knee) and let it drop down an extra two inches to allow for a fold and seam. Then I pinched the fabric right where I would cut it, which ended up being just under the armpit of my t-shirt.

If the shirt is too wide, turn it inside out, cut down the side 

(I cut about two inches off one side), but allow for some room, you don’t want it fitted and leave an extra inch for the seam. Pin it together, t-shirt fabric slips around on the sewing machine! Sew up the seam. I sewed it again with a zigzag to prevent fraying.

Fold it in half lengthwise, so you can cut both arm holes at once, to match.

I held it up to Boo again to make sure the holes would be big enough. They needed to be longer than I had thought! About 5 or 6 inches for my 3 year old. Again, leave room for folding over and sewing the seam. I stuck a pin in to mark how far down to cut and then cut down and then curved to the side (See illustration below).

Unfold, leaving inside out, but turn so the side seam is in the middle 

Fold a half inch along the arm hole, and fold in again, so the seam will look finished. I didn’t do this for the side seam.

Pin all along the edge and sew the seam on one side, following the curve, then repeat on the other. 

Turn fabric so side seams are on the sides again.

Last, fold the top edge of the neck down once, a half inch, pin and sew a seam. 

Pin and sew the seam under the ribbon, so the ribbon is inside the fabric,

Pull your ribbon to bunch the fabric at the neck of the shirt,

Repeat on the back side and then turn the t-shirt dress right side out. 

Done! 

I need to iron it, but it’s so cute on her! Please let me know if you have any questions!