How to Sew a Sweatshirt Dress

Learn to make a sweatshirt dress in two easy pieces.

Learn to make a sweatshirt dress that can be slipped over the head. Basic sewing skills are needed to work with stretch knits. Made in only two pieces, this dress style can be dressed up with accessories or worn as a comfortable dress when running errands.

Things You'll Need

• 1-1/2 yards sweatshirt or jersey fabric 60-inches wide, double if needed for size
• Hip-length fitted T-shirt
• Tailors' chalk
• Measuring tape
• Scissors
• Sewing machine
• Thread

Instructions

1. Decide on the amount of fabric you will need. If you want a short sleeve or sleeveless dress and your bust measurement is under 36 inches, one length of fabric is what you will need. If you are want long sleeves, or your bust is larger than 36 inches, you will need two lengths of fabric.

2. For the smaller size, fold the fabric in half lenthwise and cut down the fold to make two pieces -- each will be 30 inches by 1-1/2 yards. For those using the larger size, fold in half horizontally and cut down the fold to make two pieces 60 inches by 1-1/2 yards.

3. Lay out the two pieces of fabric with the right sides together and fold in half lengthwise. Lay the shirt flat and fold it in half lengthwise. Lay the shirt on the fabric with the center front of the shirt along the fold of the fabric and the sleeves in a natural position angled slightly downward.

4. 

   Mark the pattern using a shirt as a guide.

   Mark the outline of the shirt with tailors' chalk, adding one inch to the outer edges for seam allowances. Remove the shirt. Alter the shape of the neckline on the fabric if desired. You can mark a V-neck or scoop neck.

5. Measure the length you would like your dress to be by measuring from the base of the neck to the hem. Add two inches to the length.

6. Measure the fabric from the base of the neck of the shirt outline, to the adjusted measurement in Step 2. Draw a horizontal line from this measurement across the fabric.

7. 

   Mark the width of the bottom of the dress.

   Determine the circumference you want the hem of the dress to be and divide it by four. For example, if you want the circumference of the hem to be 40 inches, divide this by four and add one inch for seams. Measure from the fold at the hem line 11 inches and mark it .

8. 

   Mark a line from the hip line of the shirt to the hem line of the dress.

   Extend the shirt outline to dress length by drawing a line from the hips on the outline to the mark at Step 5 at the hem line.

9. 

   Cut fabric on marking lines.

   Cut out the dress along the marked lines. Cut the sleeves with the dress, so there are fewer seams. Trim the sleeves to the desired length, not forgetting seam and hem allowances. When you cut out the fabric, you will be cutting out the front and the back of the dress at one time, through four layers of fabric.

10. Remove the layer with the markings and fold again in half lengthwise. Cut any changes to the front neckline.

11. 

    Sew the front and back together.

    Sew the front and back together at the shoulders with right sides together. Then sew the side seams and underarm seam. Use a medium width zigzag stitch set at a medium stitch length.

12. 

    Sew in the hems.

    Sew the hems on the sleeves, neckline and bottom of the dress.

Tips & Warnings

• When using this fabric you can leave the edges without a hem. This fabric will not fray. If you are using thick sweatshirt fabric, it maybe necessary to cut out the front and back separately.

• Be sure to use thread made for stretch knits or use a zigzag stitch. Change your needle to a ballpoint needle when working on knits.