T-Shirt Dress

Online children’s boutiques are popping up everywhere! And for good reason, the clothes are chic, good quality, and not every kid on the playground will be wearing the same outfit. The only trouble is, not everyone can afford to shop at them. So how can someone get boutique children’s clothing without the price tag? You make them yourself! My name is Stephanie, I have been sewing for my daughter for over a year. Today I will show you one of the first things I learned how to sew: a simple t-shirt dress.

You’ll need a sewing machine, knit fabric, thread, scissors, pins, and the pattern (which can be found for FREE here: https://shop.scatteredthoughtsofacraftymom.com/product/girls-perfect-t-shirt-dress-pattern/ ) The pattern will need to be printed and assembled, but fear not, there are taping guidelines on the pattern pieces.

Now that all of the supplies are gathered let’s get started!

First, lay the fabric out and place pattern pieces on top, making sure to follow if the piece needs to be cut on the fold. Once the pattern pieces are on the fabric, pin into place to ensure the pattern will not move once it is cut. Cut a dress front, dress back, two sleeves and the neck binding.

Assembly may seem daunting, but don’t worry if you mess up, this pattern is very forgiving and flaws are easily hidden. We’ll start with the front and back pieces; line the shoulder seams together. Making sure the fabric is right sides together (inside out) , sew a ⅜ inch seam allowance. With the same seam allowance, sew each side of the dress. It should look like a really long tank top at this point.

Now for the sleeves, fold the sleeve in half with the right sides together and sew. Then hem the bottom of the sleeves with a ⅜ inch seam allowance. Once finished, it will be attached to the dress. To attach, keep the dress inside out and the sleeve turned right side out. Place the sleeve into the shoulder space and pin. Once pinned sew with a ⅜ inch seam allowance. Repeat steps for sleeve #2.

It’s starting to look like a dress! All that is left is the neck binding and to hem the bottom.

Fold the neck binding piece in half right sides together and with short ends meeting, sew ⅜ seam allowance. Now fold that in half with the right sides facing outward. Once done, divide the neckband into 4 equal parts, this can be done with pins. To attach the dress, ensure the dress is right side out and match up 1 pin to a shoulder seam, 1 pin to the back, 1 pin to the other shoulder seam and, the final pin to the front. Sew with a ¼ inch seam allowance and try not to stretch the dress too much or it will cause a wavy neckline. Finally, hem the bottom with a ¼ inch seam allowance.

And that's it! Now you have a beautiful t-shirt dress. I know the cost of a brand new sewing machine may stop some people from trying, but you don’t need the latest Singer, brand new from the box. My first machine was a hand-me-down Singer Promise 2 that was purchased from a friend. I’ve seen several machines at Goodwill, Salvation Army, or ask an older relative if they still use theirs.