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

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

by L. E. Mastilock 17 Comments

Sandy Toes Creations- How to Make a T-Shirt Dress

 

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

Sandy Toes Creations- How to Make a T-Shirt Dress
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)

Sandy Toes Creations- How to Make a T-Shirt Dress

First cut, the top of the shirt off. 

(Of course I didn’t think to take pics as I was making it! But I drew these fabulous illustrations for you.)

Sandy Toes Creations- How to Make a T-Shirt Dress

 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.

Sandy Toes Creations- How to Make a T-Shirt Dress

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).

Sandy Toes Creations- How to Make a T-Shirt Dress

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

(see illustration below).

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. 

Sandy Toes Creations- How to Make a T-Shirt Dress
This pic was taken after completion of dress, but shows the arm seams
Sandy Toes Creations- How to Make a T-Shirt Dress

Turn fabric so side seams are on the sides again.

(the pink shows where you just made your seams)
Sandy Toes Creations- How to Make a T-Shirt Dress

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

Then lay a ribbon over it, so you know how wide to make the last seam, making room for the ribbon to be inside the fold, but not sewn down. 

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

again, do not sew through the ribbon.

Sandy Toes Creations- How to Make a T-Shirt Dress

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

pin the sides of the shirt where the ribbon comes out and sew a few quick stitches to hold the ribbon down, so it can’t slip out. 

Sandy Toes Creations- How to Make a T-Shirt Dress

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

 

Done! 

Try it out on your little one and trim the ribbon if needed.  

Sandy Toes Creations- How to Make a T-Shirt Dress

Sandy Toes Creations- How to Make a T-Shirt Dress



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



Filed Under: Art, Kids & Family Tagged With: Crafts, Sandy Toes Creations

About L. E. Mastilock

Author, Artist, Pro Blogger, and Social Media Manager. I encourage parents to nurture children through art and nature. I homeschool my kids and advocate for alternative education, creativity, family values, clean eating, rescue pets, and a playful childhood.
I blog at naturalparentguide.com & RascalandRocco.com

Comments

  1. aminul ilam says

    February 17, 2014 at 4:44 pm

    Texaso.com helicopters and planes against villains and even less evil opponents to win high stakes races. Game titles such as Burnout3: Takedown, ESPN, NHL – 2K5, Silent Hill 4: The Room, Terminator 3: The Redemption, Donkey Kong 3, and, Pokemon have joined the national lexicon as kids have flocked to the lure of electronic games.

    Reply
  2. Michael .C says

    January 19, 2014 at 3:55 pm

    Wow !! For T-shat made it is very clever idea. actually i like this technique Texaso.com

    Reply
  3. mary_smith says

    July 23, 2013 at 12:01 pm

    Looks like a great project.

    Thanks for sharing at Tuesdays with a Twist! Hope to see you again this week.
    http://back2basichealth.blogspot.com/2013/07/weve-got-seedlings-tuesdays-with-twist.html

    Reply
  4. Angela Swanson says

    July 16, 2013 at 5:04 pm

    I'm a little nervous to try this, but I think I might do it! Thank you for linking to our first Blog Strut Peacock Style link party last Thursday! We hope you will stop by this Thursday after 5pm again to post your latest. http://wp.me/P2Vf55-1K

    Reply
  5. Judy Russi says

    July 16, 2013 at 12:21 am

    That is so cute!

    Reply
  6. Chan says

    July 15, 2013 at 4:44 pm

    What a nice idea. I found you through Climb linky chain. Thanks for co-hosting. I'm a new follower through email. You can visit/follow me back at my-life-as-a-mum.blogspot.ie

    Reply
  7. The Aums Mama says

    July 15, 2013 at 4:56 am

    Looks super cute on D…not sure if our versions of easy are the same. I sure would like to try this though.

    Reply
    • blogging says

      July 20, 2013 at 2:50 pm

      Since I didn't do any measuring or try to follow a pattern, easy. You could always hire me to make you some! πŸ˜‰

      Reply
  8. lifewithlorelai says

    July 12, 2013 at 10:49 pm

    Aw…she is sweet. What a clever idea. I love the header for your blog.

    ~Lorelai

    Hopping by from the Weekly Creative Link Party! πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • blogging says

      July 13, 2013 at 12:00 am

      Thank you! I was thinking of changing it, maybe not everyone wants to see feet? But recently have gotten a lot of complements, so I I'll be keep it. Thank you so much for your comments

      Reply
  9. Sonya says

    July 10, 2013 at 11:53 am

    How creative and really cute!

    Reply
  10. daisy broomfield says

    July 10, 2013 at 8:52 am

    Aah, she looks so sweet. That's a lovely idea- wish I had girls!!

    Reply
  11. Columba Lisa says

    July 10, 2013 at 3:37 am

    Lovely! She looks adorable in it! You are very creative; I wish I'd known this trick 10 years ago.

    Reply
    • blogging says

      July 12, 2013 at 11:56 pm

      Now you can keep it filed away for grandbabies some far off day. πŸ˜‰ Thanks for coming by!

      Reply
  12. Denine M. Anderson-Regan says

    July 10, 2013 at 1:53 am

    So cute! I've often thought about making my daughter one…and after seeing your cute illustrations and pics, I'll have to!

    Reply
    • blogging says

      July 12, 2013 at 11:55 pm

      Go for it! It's something you can't really mess up

      Reply
    • Cheap Country Cards says

      August 8, 2013 at 2:59 am

      Beautiful!

      Reply

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About Me

Hello, I'm L. E. Mastilock. I am a lover of food, family, and nature. I encourage parents to live a green, healthy lifestyle and have fun learning together. I am a published author and multi media artist, homeschooling my kids in the beautiful CA mountains. Read More…

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I miss the days when the kids would freely play ou I miss the days when the kids would freely play outdoors. Rocks & streams, sticks & flowers, their toys of choice. They're older now and drawn and to technology. They still have a love of nature, but it takes a push to get them to go outside and their play is different now. How do you get your big kids or #teens outdoors? ⁠
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