How to Make T Shirt Dresses
T-shirts have been a wardrobe staple for many years, but if you want to put a new spin on that old favorite, pair a T-shirt with coordinating fabric and create a T-shirt dress. T-shirt dresses are easy to make, and by simply adjusting the amount of fabric for the skirt, they can be worn by girls of any age. Purchase a brand new T-shirt for the project, or pull an old one out of your closet and give it a new life.
Things You'll Need
- T-shirt
- Cotton or cotton-knit fabric for the skirt
- Ruler
- Fabric marker or pencil
- Rotary cutter
- Straight pins
- Matching thread
- Sewing machine
Instructions
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1
Pre-wash the T-shirt and press out any wrinkles. Try on the T-shirt and decide where you want the waist of the finished dress. It can be belly-button length or even lower, or it can be a higher, empire-style waist. Mark the T-shirt with a fabric marker or a pencil and cut away the bottom of the shirt using a ruler and a rotary cutter.
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2
Lay the skirt fabric on a flat surface. Fold the fabric in half lengthwise and press the fold lightly. Cut the fabric in half at the pressed fold. You may need to cut away part of the fabric tor younger girls or if you don't want a full skirt.
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3
Sew the short edges of the fabric together, creating a large closed circle. Fold the circle in half so you can see the centers and mark the centers of the front and back with straight pins, fabric marker or pencil. Fold the T-shirt in a similar fashion and mark the center front and center back. Sew a basting stitch around the edge of the skirt fabric.
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4
Match the center front of the T-shirt with the center of the skirt fabric and pin them together. Repeat with the T-shirt and skirt back, matching centers and pinning them together.
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5
Gather the skirt evenly, pinning as you go. Stitch the skirt securely to the T-shirt and then remove the basting stitches. To prevent fraying, zigzag around the finished seam edges.
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6
Try on the T-shirt dress to determine the desired length. Allow enough fabric for a hem and trim the skirt accordingly. Create a double-folded hem and stitch it securely. Press the finished T-shirt lightly, and it's ready to wear.
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Tips & Warnings
If you have a T-shirt with a stain near the bottom, don't put the shirt in the rag bag. Just cut away the stain and turn the damaged shirt into a T-shirt dress.
