Today I’m sharing a tutorial teaching you how to make summer sundress from 2 t shirts! I picked up the t-shirts at Walmart on clearance, but any t-shirts will do. Just make sure that they are mostly “straight” and not the fitted variety!
For this project you will need:
2 t-shirts, both the same size, if you are not sure of sizes estimate UP
2 1/2″ band of fabric (just cut 2 1/2″ off the edge of one of your favorite fabrics, so the piece will be 2 1/2 x 44″)
6″ band of fabric
Ribbon
The first thing you need to do is try one of the t-shirts on your model and mark the natural waist. This is usually at the belly button.
Next cut off the bottom (after you take it off your model *wink*)… of t-shirt #1 just below where you marked the natural waist.
On t-shirt #2, cut off the bottom off, just below the arm holes.
With right sides together- stitch the bottom of t-shirt #1 to the top of t-shirt #2.
Press seam.
On your 2 1/2″ wide strip of fabric, stitch 2 button holes in the center.
Turn under edge of strip 1/4-1/2″ on both sides and press.
Pin strip over seam where t-shirt 1 meets t-shirt 2. Use the seam as a guide so that you will stitch the waistband on straight.
Beginning at the front and working to the back, topstitch waistband in place. Topstitch the top and bottom of the strip. At the back, end one side of the strip at the center back, and leave the other strip with a 1″ overhang.
Put a safety pin on your ribbon and string through the waistband so that the 2 ends are coming out of the 2 button holes in the front.
To close the back seam, fold under strip overhang and stitch down. You will stitch through the ribbon (this also keeps the ribbon attached to the dress for safety reasons).
Press waistband well.
At this point I think the dress is a bit too short- but if you want to make a swim cover up you can skip the next step as the dress is already hemmed (you kept the hem on t-shirt 2).
If you wish to add the lower band:
Cut the band the same size as the bottom of the dress, allowing for a seam allowance. Stitch together at short sides. You will have a circle of fabric that you can pin to the bottom of the dress. (it should fit perfectly, no gathering)
Pin this band to the bottom of the dress and stitch in place with 1/2″ seam.
Press seam towards skirt band.
Turn band under 1/2″ and press.
Fold band so that the pressed edge of the band matches the seam between the skirt/band. Pin in place.
On right side of dress, topstitch band in place.
You’re done!!
I hope that you like the dress!!! Let me know what you think!
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Louley's Belles says
June 21, 2011 at 9:24 AMThat is just too cute!!! Wish I could sew!!!
Lorie says
June 21, 2011 at 1:58 PMSo cute!
Michele says
June 21, 2011 at 2:30 PMCute! Have you tried to make one for women?
[email protected] says
June 21, 2011 at 6:43 PMI loved this the first time I saw it! Cute idea!!!!
Cindy Lou says
June 21, 2011 at 8:21 PMOMG…it is so cute. I want to make one for me. Thanks for the tutorial.
CraftCrave says
June 22, 2011 at 12:14 AMJust a quick note to let you know that a link to this post will be placed on CraftCrave today [22 Jun 01:00am GMT]. Thanks, Maria
CraftCrave says
June 23, 2011 at 12:41 AMJust a quick note to let you know that a link to this post will be placed on CraftCrave today [23 Jun 01:00am GMT]. Thanks, Maria
VickiT says
June 25, 2011 at 2:35 PMAwesome tutorial and GREAT idea. That is an adorable dress. LOVE IT! I’m already thinking how cute it would be to do the same to make a little dress for my Granddaughter and even add some machine embroidery to the dress. Thank you.
Amy says
June 28, 2011 at 12:50 PMvery nice,, thank you. I may have to try one for my granddaughter.
Kelly @ Run With Glitter says
June 29, 2011 at 6:19 PMSo Comfy! What a great tutorial!I’m visiting from 101 summer sewing tutorials roundup. Have a great day! http://runwithglitter.blogspot.com/
Shir Benovich says
July 2, 2011 at 3:04 AMLove it!! Yesterday I sewed my daughter a dress based on your tutorial: http://shir-benovich.blogspot.com/2011/07/new-dress.html
Thanks a lot!
shopannies says
July 19, 2011 at 11:32 PMlove this idea very cute 🙂 come visit me at http://shopannies.blogspot.com
Linda says
July 28, 2011 at 11:05 AMThanks for this tutorial! I reported here: http://paneamoreecreativita.it/blog/2011/07/raccolta-di-progetti-di-cucito-creativo-per-lestate
Linda
Essie says
July 31, 2011 at 2:31 PMLoved this cute dress idea and hope to try one for my little niece.
Essie
Emily Hodges says
August 2, 2011 at 11:13 PMCute, Cute, Cute! I can’t wait to make this! My dad taught me to sew a few years back, and now, i hunt for great patterns like a hunter hunts for deer! This was so a bull’s-eye!
JJCrochet (Jayna) says
August 13, 2011 at 10:25 AMVery cute design. I was wondering if this would work for women’s dresses as well as kid’s. Love it – thanks!
loves2spin says
November 6, 2011 at 2:47 PMTo say I am impressed would be a big understatement. Thank you for this!!
ranchgirlothello says
March 16, 2012 at 8:39 PMThis is the cutest !! Can’t wait to make one.
ranchgirlothello says
March 16, 2012 at 8:40 PMThis is soo cute, can’t wait to try it !!
Maybe one for me too. 😉
Florida Pati says
June 15, 2013 at 5:58 AMLove, love, love this!!! I don’t have little ones anymore, and no grandchildren (yet)… BUT, I am buying tee shirts today and plan on making this for MYSELF!!!! Thank you for this GREAT idea!!!
Trina says
June 15, 2013 at 11:38 AMCorrect me if I am messed up, but should not the bottom of shirt #2 be attached to top of shirt #1? This way the two longer pieces are used instead of the two shorter ones?
Melissa Mortenson says
June 17, 2013 at 6:13 PMYes that’s how it goes. In the directions when it says to sew the bottom of #1 to the top of #2 it’s referring to the parts of the t-shirts you sew on not the part of the t-shirt that is cut. Does that make sense?
Karen Jakab says
June 3, 2014 at 12:44 PMI can’t find any written instructions for this. Am I just overlooking them? I can’t quite see how two shirts are used just from the pictures.
Charlene Ellick says
August 19, 2013 at 9:48 PMThank you, I have been looking for something that is so easy. Can’t wait to go to the store tomorrow!!
Teje says
February 2, 2014 at 2:42 AMHi! This is beautiful dress and your idea to add the ‘belt’ is great! Want to do for myself! I need so much cool dresses during the hot, Greek summer! x Teje
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Syed Qasim Ali says
August 12, 2018 at 11:07 AMCute! I loved this the first time i want to make one for me. Thanks for the tutorial.