TUTE: Kids dress from t shirt EASY PEASY

[Lisa the Crafty]

This is a great way to extend the life of a too short teeshirt, or you can use a new one ( if you buy it cheap, of course!!)



For the skirt, you will need a matching fabric, in a similar weight.

Note: Skirt also looks great when done in a patchwork style..great for using little bits!

I am making this dress to fit a nearly 3 year old, adjust your measurements accordingly. This skirt used about 1/2 metre of fabric.
Remember to prewash your fabric, especially if it is a cotton.

Here's my T shirt ( bought on sale ) and some Hello Kitty fabric ( also
reduced)

[Lisa the Crafty]

Step 1.

Lay your t shirt out flat, then figure out where you want to end the t shirt and start the skirt. I like to cut the t shirt about an inch under the child's bust line. You can cut it at the bust line also.

I measure 3 inches down, plus 1/2 inch for seam allowance. Mark with pins or chalk.





Next, carefully cut across cutting line.



Now, measure across the bottom of you dress. Mine measured 28cm. For a full skirt, double this measurement, for not so full, 1.5 times this measurement.



I now need to cut 2 pieces for my skirt, each 56cm wide, plus seam allowance for when we join them at the sides.

The length of these skirt pieces will be whatever you decide. I like mine to fall mid way between knee and ankle, so it was 50cm long plus top seam allowance and bottom hem allowance.

So, I cut two pieces for my skirt each

56+seam all x 50cm + seam all and hem

Here they are:

[Eccles2003]

ummm???
WHere?

[Lisa the Crafty]

Step #2.

Now, you need to sew up the sides of your skirt pieces...mine was cut on the fold so only one side seam ( sorry to be tricky!) Remember to also overcast the seam to stop fraying..

Then, you will need to overcast/serge your bottom and then hem. I have black on my overlooker presently, so used the sewing machine all the way through. I have a few nifty stitches that sew and overcast all in one.

Here's my hem about to be sewn:

[Eccles2003]

Ok dear I can't see the pics WHAT am I doing wrong?

[Lisa the Crafty]

Step #3.

Next, you need to run two rows of gathering stitches around the top of your skirt. Use a basting stitch, which is the longest straight stitch you have. Or, use your overlocker to gather, or a gathering foot if you have one for your machine.






Then, put a pin to mark each side seam of your skirt. Next, divide each side seam in half, and pin to mark quarters.


Pin the bottom of your t shirt in half and then quarters also. This is to help you keep your gathers even around the garment.

Now, with right sides together, and matching each quarter pin segment, pull up the gathering threads to gather each section to a nice fit. Push the gather evenly all the way around. When you are happy that each section of skirt and t shirt meet up and gathers are evenly spaced ( this is important, uneven gathers look dreadful!) sew skirt and t shirt together. Sew just to the left of the gathering stitches, to keep the gathering stitches in the seam allowance.





Overcast your seam, then trim.

Turn dress right side out, press and then admire your handy work!!

[Lisa the Crafty]

Originally Posted by Eccles2003

Ok dear I can't see the pics WHAT am I doing wrong?

Pics are loading now...Photobucket is playing up..give it a tic.

[Eccles2003]

great
most of the time I have done something to my pc.... so I wasn't sure to be honest

[Eccles2003]

[JaysMum]

Great tute cinn. I have done this before and I was thinking that you could do this with a romper and then re-attach the bottom to cover the nappy, sandwiching the skirt inbetween.