How to Make a Toddler Dress Out of an Adult T-Shirt

Reconstruct T-shirts into one-of-a-kind toddler dresses.

T-shirts are not only comfortable to wear and an easy way to express yourself, they can be cut up and reconstructed into new fashions for children. Their jersey knit fabric is simple to work with, because it doesn’t unravel or fray. And it's low-maintenance, which is a plus for toddler wear. Repurposing adult T-shirts is a cost-effective way to expand your toddler’s wardrobe.

Things You'll Need

• Adult T-shirt
• Sleeveless toddler’s dress
• Scissors
• Straight pins
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Iron

Instructions

Construction

1. Fold the T-shirt in half lengthwise, and lay it flat with one half of the front side facing you.

2. Fold the toddler’s dress in half, and lay it on top of the tee to get a basic shape for cutting. The dress’s fold should lay along the T-shirt’s fold. The necklines should match up; the T-shirt neckline will become the toddler dress neckline.

3. Cut out the dress pieces, leaving extra room for seam allowances if the child’s dress is fitted. Leave the bottom length as is, if you want to save a step in hemming the dress. When finished cutting, you should have two pieces -- a front and a back.

4. Place one piece on top of the other, right-sides together, then pin along the side seams. Leave openings for armholes, marking with pins.

5. Sew each side seam from the bottom of the armhole to the dress bottom, using a straight stitch. Make a few reverse stitches at the beginning and end of each seam for reinforcement.

6. Sew each shoulder seam, reinforcing with reverse stitches at each seam’s beginning and end.

Finishing

1. If you don’t want to leave the seam edges raw, finish them with a serger or a V-stitch.

2. Hem the dress if you didn’t make it long enough to use the T-shirt’s hem. Fold the bottom edge up 1/4 inch, then fold over again 1/4 inch, and press with an iron. Pin in place and sew with a straight stitch.

3. Turn the toddler dress right-side out, and embellish as you wish. Add eyelet lace trim or ruffles to the sleeves, neckline or hem; add an applique to the front; or use the leftover T-shirt sleeves to cut two long, thin strips to make roses -- formed by pinning, winding and sewing into place.

References

• Generation T: 108 Ways to Transform a T-Shirt; Megan Nicolay
• Happy Together: T-Shirt to Toddler Dress Tutorial

Resources

• Craftster.org: Tee to Wee Dress Tutorial