T-Shirt Dress How-To...

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.


Below are additional t-shirt dresses that I've sewn...
February 4, 2007
March 3, 2007
May 28, 2007
June 15, 2007