Hooray for a project that I made up on my own! So recently I have felt a little defeated because it seems like every project I attempt I am simply following someones blog or tutorial. Don't get me wrong, I am so thankful for tutorials and have a ton of respect for those that take the time to explain all the steps of a how-to, but I really like to figure something out on my own and haven't had the opportunity to do that lately! So, I was happy to come across a pin on Pinterest that led to an Etsy site instead of a tutorial! I know, seems wrong, but I was ready and willing for a challenge!
Here is my process for making this little toddler dress from a t-shirt:
Materials:
1 t-shirt (mine was an adult small and still had to take it way in)
Regular matching thread
elastic thread
ribbon
Tutorial:
Here is my process for making this little toddler dress from a t-shirt:
Materials:
1 t-shirt (mine was an adult small and still had to take it way in)
Regular matching thread
elastic thread
ribbon
Tutorial:
1. Cut the t-shirt into a dress shape. It doesn't show this in the picture below, but I also cut the sides (about where the tape measure is on the left...but on both sides).
2. Turn inside out and start about 1/2 inch from the top and stitch all the way down each side. In my first picture notice I only cut off near the top, but I ended up sewing all along both side seams to get the right shape for the dress. Also, would have looked funny if the top had a side seam but it didn't go all the way down the dress.
3. Turn the top down 1/4 inch and then 1/4 inch again and sew to create hem at the top.
4. NO PICTURE, SORRY. Somehow I forgot to snap a photo of this step. This is where I created the sheering at the top of the dress. You need to wind elastic thread by hand onto your bobin (keeping regular thread on top). When sewing with elastic thread in the bobbin you need to sew with the right side facing up, so that the elastic thread is on the inside of your garment. I started on a side seam, with the edge of my presser foot lined up with the top edge of the dress. I also used a pretty long stitch. I sewed all the way around, getting back to where I started, then I started another row down with the presser foot lined up with my first line I sewed.
Now when sewing sheering I don't really push or pull the fabric much. It seems to flatten out just as it is being pulled under the presser foot. I also have never taken the time to calculate how much the sheering pulls in the fabric, but I don't know if that matters too much. It is very stretchy stuff.
I sewed until I had about 3 or 4 inches of sheering down the top of the dress. Then I added a little rosette and ribbon to be tied like a halter top. I cut 2 ribbons and sewed one end of each to the inside front top of the dress. I did not hem the bottom of the dress because I don't think that it will fray...it might roll a bit though. I also cut it shorter than how long the t-shirt was, I read somewhere that from the armpit to the bottom of a 2T dress is about 17 inches? So that is what I cut it at.
Now when sewing sheering I don't really push or pull the fabric much. It seems to flatten out just as it is being pulled under the presser foot. I also have never taken the time to calculate how much the sheering pulls in the fabric, but I don't know if that matters too much. It is very stretchy stuff.
I sewed until I had about 3 or 4 inches of sheering down the top of the dress. Then I added a little rosette and ribbon to be tied like a halter top. I cut 2 ribbons and sewed one end of each to the inside front top of the dress. I did not hem the bottom of the dress because I don't think that it will fray...it might roll a bit though. I also cut it shorter than how long the t-shirt was, I read somewhere that from the armpit to the bottom of a 2T dress is about 17 inches? So that is what I cut it at.
Also, the debut of one of my Christmas presents!! An adjustable dress form! :) Thanks babe! ;-)