Summer T-Shirt Maxi Dress Sewing Pattern
With this fun girls DIY Maxi Dress Pattern, you can turn a T-shirt into a summer maxi dress. It’s a great DIY upcycle fashion project!
Many years ago, I got the idea to make a girl’s maxi dress from a t-shirt. When she was younger, she loved to wear this dress. She had requested another one, but it had JUST fabric on the bottom this time.
She’s all grown up now, but this t-shirt maxi dress lives on and has been passed down to cousins and friends. I love that my friends appreciate my kid’s handmade hand-me-down dresses. The tutorial is a few years old but has stood the test of time.
What Fabric to Use for the Skirt
This maxi dress is made from Voile. I love the light, airy fabric, which is perfect for summer.
What is Voile Fabric?
Voile fabric is a lightweight cotton fabric. It has a higher thread count than most cotton fabrics, giving it its signature sheen. It has a beautiful drape and is perfect to use for apparel sewing.
Supplies Needed
- 1 T-shirt It needs to fit snugly but not tight- if you’re unsure of the size, go down a size. The one used in this tutorial is from Old Navy.
- 2 yards Voile Fabric you can use another fabric- but try to stick to something light and airy like a Cotton Lawn; otherwise, the dress will get heavy- if you want to make it for a taller than a size 10, you’ll need more yardage
- 1/2 yard Voile Fabric for the waistband
Ready to get started?
Summer T-Shirt Maxi Dress Pattern
Equipment
supplies
- 1 T-shirt It needs to fit snugly but not tight- if you’re unsure of the size go down a size. Mine is from Old Navy.
- 2 yards Voile Fabric or Cotton Lawn Try to stick to something light and airy; otherwise, the dress will get heavy- if you want to make it for a taller than a size 10, you’ll need more yardage.
- 1/2 yard Voile Fabric for the waistband
Instructions
Dress Sizing:
- The measurements for this dress will be approximately a size 10, but you can adjust them easily to make other sizes.
- Seam allowances are 1/2″
Step One:
- On your t-shirt, make a mark approx 2″-3″ down from the bottom of the armholes.
- Cut off the bottom of the T-shirt. You don’t need it, so save it for another project.
Step Two:
- Take the waist measurement of your model (or whomever you’re making this dress for) then double it- note this measurement.My daughter has a 25″ waist…so, each piece will be 50″ wide- and the Voile is 54″ wide… I decided to “go with” the extra fabric- and not cut off the extra 4″.
- To figure the length, measure down from just under their armpits to the floor- Add about 1″ for hem and seam allowance. It turns out that 36″ was the perfect length for my daughter- if yours is taller or shorter, adjust here.
- In summary; you’ll want two pieces of fabric that are double the waist measurement by your height measurement.
- In my case, they were two pieces 54″ wide by 36″ long.
- Stitch the two pieces together along the 36″ sides. Press seams open.
Step Three:
- Run two rows of gathering stitches along the top edge and pull up on stitches to gather the skirt.
- Fit the skirt into the t-shirt, right sides together- adjust gathers so that the skirt portion fits into the t-shirt portion.
- Stitch the skirt portion to the t-shirt portion, being careful not to pull on the t-shirt as you sew (you don’t want it to stretch out too much).
Step Four:
- Turn right side out, and press well with steam. The steam in the iron will help to reshape the t-shirt after it has been sewn.
Step Five:
- To make the sash.
- Cut a piece of fabric 6″ wide by 54″. (it was 54″ wide since it was a Voile fabric).
- Fold in half, miter corners. Stitch together, leaving a 2″ opening in the center.
- Turn the right side out and slip-stitch opening closed. Press.
You May Also Like:
How to Make a Dress from Two T-Shirts
So cute, Melissa! LOVE it! 🙂
I made two of them using ruffle cloth. So easy and sweet!! If I knew how to put the pictures on here I would.
Cute! Did you post photos on your blog or flickr acct? I’d love to see them and add them to my pinterest page.
Very cute!
I LOVE this dress!!!
Very cute, beautiful dress and model.
Very cute, and a great tutorial
I love this – it would be perfect for my 7 year old daughter, so I’m going to have a go! Just need to get the right fabric first. Thanks for a great idea!
I made one!
Love it! I’m going to make one for my grand daughter. She requested a ruffle on the bottom. I’ll send you a pic after. Laura
http://reidgirlshandmade.blogspot.com/2012/05/blog-post.html
Hi, I finished the maxi dress for my grand daughter. you can see it on my craft blog. thanks for the tutorial!
I made one. You can see it at reidgirlshandmade.blogspot.com
I included a link back to your tutorial.
Thanks for the idea. It was fun to make. Laura
This is super cute! I want to use it to make a dress for myself from a t-shirt that fits my shoulders but is too short for my comfort.
So adorable. Love this tutorial!! I referenced you on my blog. Hope that’s ok. ☺http://tayfamilynews.blogspot.ca/2012/09/project-monday-asian-silk.html?m=1 I made this dress last summer and kinda wish I would have seen all of these tutorials out there to help me out. So many great versions. My daughter would love one like this too!
What a great tutorial. Your girl is beautiful – she looks just like you!
Oh thanks. I think she’s beautiful, but I’m biased. But I think she gets her good looks from her Dad 🙂
would knit be too heavy for a size 6 dress in your opinion?
No I don’t think so, I would just not make the skirt as gathered. Less full.
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I just loooooove it!!!!! So sweet and cute! I’m featuring this tomorrow on my weekly round up!!! Hope you have a wonderful week!
Hugs
Cami @ TitiCrafty.com
Sunday Bewitch Me & Titi {Link Party}
I want to do this for the two youngest granddaughters. but we are in the middle of moving and my sewing in packed up.
I would be sewing instead of packing, if it was out. thank you for the pattern
Hope to make it soon
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This is so cute.Im going to try this one day
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Tried it. Love it!!! I’ll be making more of these for sure.
Love this. Thanks so much. I thought for colder months you cold use a long sleeved top too. Also if a top gets stained around the tummy area but is still nice it’s a smart idea. Thanks.
Cute dress! I am so inspired by your work. I want to make this dress for my daughter. Thanks a lot for sharing the great tutorial.
Made a Christmas version of this dress, turned out super cute.