How to Design a Tee Shirt Into a Dress

Reclaimed clothing is not only "green," but it's also a trendy way to spice up your wardrobe. T-shirts, the universal, unisex garment, are in almost every wardrobe. T-shirts are relatively easy to redesign into a comfortable, sexy little dress. You will want a shirt several sizes too large to make a dress, so digging one out of the back of your boyfriend's dresser drawer would work well. Just make sure not to cut up his favorite sport or concert T-shirt.

Things You'll Need

• T-shirt
• Scissors
• Sewing machine
• Trim (optional)
• Elastic thread
• Thread
• Iron

Instructions

Turn that Old T-shirt into a New Dress

1. Fold the T-shirt in half vertically, and make sure the sleeves, arm seams and neckline match up. Measuring 2.5 inches from the top of the sleeve seams, along the shoulder seam towards the neckline, cut through all layers in a semi circle around the neckline, smoothly curving downward approximately four inches, completely removing the shirt's neck. You will now have a very wide neck opening.

2. Set your iron on the cotton setting, and turn the new neckline inside 1/4 inch and then 1/2 inch again to create a smooth hem on the neck. Pin and then top stitch around neckline with standard thread on your machine. If desired, you can do this using a decorative stitch.

3. Wind a bobbin with the elastic thread either by hand--gently stretching the thread as you wind--or on your sewing machine. Starting 1/4 inch under your neck stitching, sew around the neckline, stretching the fabric as you sew. You will do three rows of stitching, carefully stretching as you do each row to make sure the gathers are even.

4. Stitch three rows following the same step as above on each sleeve, starting the first row 1/4 inch above the factory stitching (toward the sleeve).

5. If you want to add optional trim or lace to the bottom of dress, start at the side seam and pin trim right side to the inside of lower hem, leaving desired amount showing beneath hem. Attach by top stitching (on outside) following the factory hem line, overlapping trim ends when they meet back at the side seam. Next, start 1/4 inch above (toward shirt body) the factory hem, and once again sew three rows with the elastic thread as above. Finish off with bows made from satin ribbon on neck edges, arms and seams if desired. Add a belt, and you are ready to go with a cute little reclaimed T-shirt dress.