We’re a Coastie family. It can be hard to find coastguard kids stuff…especially if you want something cute. The generic onesie just wasn’t going to do it for our little princess. So, I whipped this up. You can make it with any t-shirt or even some cute jersey cotton.
Here’s what you need to make this dress.
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An adult t-shirt
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A kids shirt (to trace for a pattern)
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Paper (to make your pattern) I use old newspaper
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Marker
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Matching thread
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Sewing stuff (needle, sewing machine, pins, ect.)
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Possibly something else I’m forgetting (please read through all of the directions)
First trace your pattern. Start with the front and back. Make sure to include the overlapping edges. Decide how long you want it to be. (measure from shoulder to just below the hip for a good idea) Line up the outside edges on your front and back pattern pieces to see if you made them the same length. If you didn’t, adjust the front or back to make them even.
Next draw the top part of the sleeve. Do this by folding the sleeve it’s self out of the way. Then draw along the sleeve seam.
Now decide how long you want the sleeve to be. (If you want it the same as the pattern shirt add 1/2 inch seam allowance)
Decide where you want the t-shirt design to end up. Then cut out your patter pieces (1 front, 1 back, 2 sleeves)
You can even use print from the sleeves! (I also lined up the finished edge of the t-shirt sleeve so I wouldn’t have to hem them.)
If your feeling fancy make your own bias tape. Or use some that matches the shirt.
Open your bias tape. Then line up and pin it allong the top edge of your dress front. Take care that the good side of the bias tape facing the good side of your main fabric. (this way when you flip it you will see the good side of your fabric and not your stitches)
After sewing the first edge refold your bias tape so that it neetly lines up. Sew
Repeat the last couple of steps for the back of your dress. Now, pin where you want the shoulders to overlap and baste in place. (Basting is just a quick, usually longer, stitsh to hold things in place)
Cut two skirt pieces about an inch longer than you want them to end up. And twice as wide as the dress top. Then cut two pieces of elastic the width of your dress top.
Sew the elastic to the wide edge of your skirt peices. Stretch the elastic as you go so it lines up with the skirt and gathers like this. Then pin and sew the skirt to the bottom of your dress top. (sew with the good sides facing eachother so you can’t see raw edges on the front)
Attatch your sleeves. Then pin allong the sides, making sure your seams and edges line up. Sew (Your almost done!)
Hem the bottom of your skirt by folding and pressing 1/4 inch of the bottom edge. Now sew allong the top of your folded edge. Clip your threads and you’ve made a new dress for a lucky little girl!
weallheartart 