Upcycled Tee Shirt to Toddler Dress Tutorial

I love finding cute knit tee shirts in thrift stores and 

turning them into darling little pieces for kids.

This short-and-wide tee was 

less than a dollar. I liked the fabric, 

it is a knit with little holes in it, almost like

mesh but real small holes, and its so soft.

It now is a sweet little breezy summer dress.

Nearly free, and some sewing therapy for me! 

Got an old Tee in your closet?

Here is how I did it...

Use a dress that you like the fit of and 

has similar elasticity to the tee shirt.

Fold both in half with the fronts inside.

Tuck the sleeves of the pattern dress inside out,

trace, and then cut out the body.

You should be left with this when you open it:

Now, using the sleeves on both garments, 

follow the same steps again;

 ignoring the body of the dress this time.

You should end up with this:

(I unfolded one so you get a better idea)

Place the pieces all facing down with the neck making a circle

and the sleeves next to the neck on either side.

Pin the sleeves on, being sure to slightly overlap the neck pieces.  

Sew using a zig-zag stitch or serge along the pins. 

Now fold the dress in half at the shoulders 

with right sides facing together and

 pin down the sides and the bottom of the sleeves

and sew along the pins. 

You're almost done!! 

Now for the bottom, I used the bottom slice of the tee 

that was leftover. Just leave it in its "circle" shape, 

trim it into a straight strip (about 3" tall) and 

gather all around the raw edge. 

Pin to the dress facing upward around it- 

with right sides together, and sew all the way around.

Press your seams and you're finished!

Here is another one I created 

the same way, from an old garment.

Enjoy!

-Sylv