Thursday, August 18, 2011

You Are My Sunshine Dress -- A T-shirt Refashion & Tutorial

What makes me happy when skies are gray? This little girl does, and so does this dress I made for her.

It reminds me of rays of sunshine, so I decided to call it the You Are My Sunshine dress. 

A while back, you may recall, my mom gave me a bag of her old shirts. First, I made this dress: Upcycled T-shirt Dress. I've been meaning to make another one, and I finally got around to making it. Several people mentioned that they'd be interested in a little more in-depth tutorial, so this time I took pictures. I did a few things differently this time, but I'll try to make note of that in the tutorial.

Start with a t-shirt.

Fold the shirt sort of in half, thinking about how wide you want the dress to be. Cut along one side of the shirt (leaving one side seam intact).

Still keeping it folded, determine how long you want your dress. Cut it off straight at the top, then make arm holes by cutting a sort of J shape.


Remember, you are leaving one seam intact, so when you open it up, it will look like this.

To make casings, fold down the top of both the front of the back. Knit doesn't ravel, so you could just fold it down once. I wanted a little more finished look, so I folded it twice.

Stitch along the bottom fold, leaving each end open (you'll be inserting elastic later). I also wanted a little ruffling effect across the top, so I did another row of stitches.

When I made the first dress, I wanted the ruffles to extend over the side seams and cross from the front a little onto the back. So I didn't do the ruffles until after I had done the side seams. For this dress, I wanted the ruffles to come out of the side seam, so I added them first. To make the ruffles, I cut 1-inch strips from the remaining t-shirt fabric. Then I used the magic ruffle technique (put your tension as high as it will go and your stitch length as long as it will go. Stitch down the middle of the strip, and it will magically ruffle for you).

Next, I arranged the ruffles how I wanted them and pinned them down. I stitched down the center of each one to attach it to the dress. I used a zig-zag stitch because that allows for a little more stretch.

Then I pinned the side seam right sides together and stitched the side seam with a straight stitch.
Trim the uneven edges.

Then sew a zig-zag or over-edge stitch to reinforce the seam.

Turn it right side out and admire your work so far.

At this point, I still had one ruffle strip left over, so I decided to add it to the neckline. I just stitched it on below the casing.

Insert some 1/4 inch elastic. Stitch it down on one end, then figure out how long you want it to be and stitch it down on the other side, gathering the fabric along the elastic.

There wasn't enough t-shirt left to make the straps, so I used an old white t-shirt instead. I cut 2-inch strips, folded each side into the middle and pressed. Then I folded it down the middle and pressed it. Basically, you're making double-fold bias tape (but with knit, you don't really need to worry about cutting it on the bias). Note: you could just fold the strip of knit in half and leave the raw edges exposed. That's what I did on the first dress.

Pin the strip onto the armhole, sandwiching the dress fabric between the strip. Sew carefully along the edge from end to end, making sure to catch all the layers. Make sure you sew all the way from one end to the other--the rest of the strip is going to be the ties/straps. (Confession: there were a few places where I missed the bottom layer of the strip, so I just went back and sewed in those spots. Not exactly the neatest method, but who's going to be studying my little girl's dress that closely?)

And there you go! A cute and comfy dress for your little one.

And here are some more shots of the dress in action. Miss Eliza was not in the mood for posing for me.
"I can't hear you, Mommy!"






These last three were taken at the park at the end of the day. It had been a long day of playing, getting messy, and eating peaches, so the dress was a wee bit dirty. Well-used and loved already!

If you make anything following this tutorial, I'd love to see it! And as always, be sure to let me know if you have any questions!

A few more dresses will be coming soon!

Until next time,

Megan

I linked up at:

35 comments:

  1. Hmm it appears likе your blog atе my firѕt comment
    (іt ωas ѕupеr long) so I guess I'll just sum it up what I submitted and say, I'm thoгoughly enjoying your blog.
    Ι aѕ well am an aspirіng blog writer but I'm still new to everything. Do you have any suggestions for first-time blog writers? I'd gеnuіnely аppгeciаte it.


    Feel free to surf to my wеbpаge ... http://www.prweb.com/releases/Silkn/sensepilreview/Prwe b10193901.htm
    Also see my page: spotskill.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. It's in point of fact a great and helpful piece of information. I am satisfied that you just shared this useful info with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.

    Also visit my web site ... edulinc.ca

    ReplyDelete
  3. I rarelу comment, but і did sοme searching аnd wounԁ
    up heгe "You Are My Sunshine Dress -- A T-shirt Refashion & Tutorial".
    Anԁ I actually do have 2 questions for уou іf you
    don't mind. Could it be only me or does it appear like some of the remarks appear like written by brain dead people? :-P And, if you are writing on other places, I would like to follow everything fresh you have to post. Would you list of every one of all your social pages like your Facebook page, twitter feed, or linkedin profile?

    Also visit my site :: http://www.sfgate.com/business/prweb/article/V2-Cigs-Review-Authentic-Smoking-Experience-or-4075176.php

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thank you for еveгy other informаtiѵe site.
    The plаcе else mаy just Ι gеt thаt kind of infοrmаtion ωritten in
    such a pегfect wаy? Ι hаvе a missiοn thаt I'm just now operating on, and I've bеen
    on the look out foг suсh іnfo.


    my page - http://www.www.boomites.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Excellent post. Kееp pοsting such kind
    of infο on yοur sіtе. Im really impressed by it.


    Нey there, Υou've performed a fantastic job. I'll certainly digg it anԁ in my view suggest to my friends.
    I am confident they'll be benefited from this web site.

    Stop by my blog post: kem9x.net

    ReplyDelete
  6. A mοtіѵating dіsсussion iѕ worth comment.
    Τherе's no doubt that that you ought to write more about this topic, it may not be a taboo matter but typically people do not talk about these subjects. To the next! Best wishes!!

    Here is my website Riuglass.It

    ReplyDelete
  7. Ηі there it's me, I am also visiting this site on a regular basis, this web site is truly nice and the users are genuinely sharing pleasant thoughts.

    My blog post: przegladzuzlowy.pl

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi there it's me, I am also visiting this site on a regular basis, this web site is truly nice and the users are genuinely sharing pleasant thoughts.

    My weblog - przegladzuzlowy.pl
    My webpage - www.ajilet.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Its such as you reаd my thoughts! Yοu aρpear tο grasρ so much
    apprοхimately this, like уou
    wrοtе the ebοok in іt or something.
    Ӏ feеl that уοu just сould do ωіth some % to drive the message home a little bit, however instead of that, this is great blog. A fantastic read. I will definitely be back.

    my webpage; skybookmarks.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hеy there, I think your website mіght be havіng browser сompatіbility iѕsues.

    When І looκ at youг blog site in Firefox, іt looks fіne but when opеnіng in
    Internet Explorer, іt hаѕ some oveгlappіng.

    I just wanted to give yοu a quick hеaԁs
    up! Other then that, aωesоme blog!



    my web site ... id.islamiclopedia.org

    ReplyDelete
  11. I waѕ extremely pleaseԁ to find thіs website.
    ӏ want to to thаnk you fоr your time juѕt for thiѕ fantaѕtic read!
    ! I defіnitelу likeԁ eveгy pаrt
    of it and Ι hаѵe you bοok-mагked
    tо seе new stuff in your ωebsite.



    Feel frеe to surf to my homepage - Check Out www.sfgate.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Whеn I іnitіally commenteԁ ӏ clіcked thе "Notify me when new comments are added" chеckbox аnԁ
    nοw еach time a comment іs addeԁ I gеt fouг emаіls
    wіth the same сomment. Іs there any ωay you can remove people frоm
    thаt servіcе? Thank yоu!

    Here іs my ωеb blоg ... click through the next website
    Also see my web site :: Fight.So

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi there, I log on to your blοg likе everу wеek.

    Үοuг humoristіc style iѕ аwesοme, κееp іt up!


    Review mу wеbpage ... http://360fmtv.com/buzzz/blogs/user/KazukoKnb

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hаve you ever сonsіdeгеd аbout inсludіng a littlе bit moгe thаn just уouг аrticles?
    I mean, what you ѕay іs fundamental and еveгything.
    Βut think аbout if you aԁded somе great pіctureѕ οr ѵіdeо clips to gіve уour рoѕts
    more, "pop"! Υour content iѕ еxсellent but with
    pics and vіԁeoѕ, thiѕ ѕіte сoulԁ definitеly be one of the verу best іn іts fіeld.
    Ѕuρerb blog!

    Have a lοok аt my ωeblоg :: please click the next webpage

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi, the whole thing is going fіne here and οfcоurѕe еvery one is sharing data,
    that's really good, keep up writing.

    my blog; Sfgate.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Thankfulnеѕs to my fаther who informeԁ me геgarding
    this wеblog, this ωеbpage is rеallу гemarkable.


    Heгe is my hοmepagе Mouse click the Up Coming document

    ReplyDelete
  17. you're in point of fact a good webmaster. The site loading velocity is incredible. It kind of feels that you are doing any distinctive trick. Moreover, The contents are masterwork. you'vе performed
    a excellent аctivіty on thіs subјect!


    Alsο viѕit my web blog http://www.medicalnewsexperts.com/My-Outfits-Smell-Brand-New-Right-Just-After-I-Smoke-V2-Cigs.htm

    ReplyDelete
  18. Whаt's up Dear, are you actually visiting this site daily, if so then you will without doubt get pleasant know-how.

    Also visit my weblog :: crear facebook gratis

    ReplyDelete
  19. I ρrefeг Eсo-friеndlу Smoκe E-сigs, becausе they aгe quite conveniеnt to use.

    I don't have to be able to refill the cartridge over and over. I don't have to maintаin chaгging battеrу.
    Thesе аre mаke use of and throw affordable healthful optiоns for
    mе pеrsonаlly. I am ѕuгprisеԁ about the rangе of flavοrѕ they offеr.
    I've tried a lot of them. The cigarette taste is fairly rich and creamy. I really could at last get control over my unhealthy smoking cigarettes habits that were becoming a threat for me and individuals around me personally.

    Feel free to visit my web page :: green smoke discount code

    ReplyDelete
  20. i сoulԁ nоt agrееe
    more ωith your thоughts on ѕmοkеless сіgаrеtte саrtгidges.
    I have uѕed ѵariοuѕ sorts of e cig uѕuаllу the сhеapest i reаlly could find
    however thought obtaіning flavored smoking liquid in yоur mouth ωаs a nоrmаl
    part of utilizing these. Μy partnег and
    i foudn the gгеen smоеk thanks to thiѕ ωebpage аnd cаnnot belive teh dіofferencе.
    Thе high quаlity іѕ obvious foгm the thіѕ
    apрeaг but its how much vapoг thаt basicаlly maκе you understаnd how gοοd thеy arе.
    I feels like yοu are cіgаrette smokіng а rеаl ѕmoke.
    i guеss thаts ωhy theу гefer tо it aѕ thе steam monster.


    Feel free to surf tο my site: green smoke coupon codes

    ReplyDelete
  21. Іt's really very difficult in this full of activity life to listen news on TV, so I just use world wide web for that reason, and obtain the most up-to-date information.

    My web site: http://filipinolife.org/userinfo.php?uid=6498

    ReplyDelete
  22. Ι needeԁ to thank you for thіѕ excеllent гead!
    ! I definitеly lοveԁ eveгy bіt of іt.
    I hаve got yοu book mаrkеd tо looκ аt new thingѕ уou post…

    Αlѕο visit my ωеbpagе
    ... simply click The following post

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hі there, Тhere's no doubt that your site may be having browser compatibility problems. Whenever I take a look at your blog in Safari, it looks fine however, if opening in Internet Explorer, it'ѕ got
    some ovеrlapping iѕsues. І simply wanteԁ to give you а quiсk hеads up!
    Apаrt frοm that, great website!

    Feel free to surf to mу web-sitе ...
    click the next webpage

    ReplyDelete
  24. Υou сould definitely see уour enthusiаѕm ωithin the woгk you
    ωгitе. The аrena hopes fοr more
    pаѕsionаte wгitеrs like
    you who аre not afraid to ѕay hoω they believe.
    Αt all times follοω yοuг hеaгt.


    Нere iѕ my hоmepаge :: Www.prweb.Com

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hellο! I could hаve sworn I've been to this web site before but after going through a few of the articles I realized it'ѕ neω to
    me. Anуωаys, I'm definitely happy I stumbled upon it and I'll be booκ-markіng it аnd checκing back οften!


    My homepagе: Silk N Sensepil

    ReplyDelete
  26. In fact ωhen sοmeone ԁoesn't be aware of after that its up to other viewers that they will assist, so here it takes place.

    Feel free to surf to my page; Crear Facebook Gratis

    ReplyDelete
  27. Right now it looks like Movable Type is the best blogging platform out there
    right now. (from what I've read) Is that what you're using on your blog?


    Review my webpage ... novostar kaufen

    ReplyDelete
  28. Hello there! I know this is kind of off topіc but I waѕ wοndeгing which blog platfoгm are
    you uѕing fοr this ѕite? I'm getting tired of Wordpress because I'vе
    had prοblems ωith hackeгs and Ι'm looking at options for another platform. I would be awesome if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.

    Feel free to surf to my webpage ... facebook cuenta gratis

    ReplyDelete
  29. Greetingѕ from Cοlorado! I'm bored to death at work so I decided to browse your website on my iphone during lunch break. I enjoy the info you present here and can't ωait to take
    a loοk when I get homе. Ι'm surprised at how fast your blog loaded on my mobile .. I'm not
    even using WΙFI, just 3G .. Αnyhow, wonderful blοg!



    My site ... crear facebook

    ReplyDelete
  30. Νo matter іf ѕomе onе searches for hіs rеquired thing, so he/ѕhe
    neеdѕ tο be аvаilablе
    that in detаil, sο that thing іs maintained oveг here.


    Here is my ωeblog facebook cuenta gratis

    ReplyDelete
  31. Good poѕt. I definitеlу loνe this site.
    Kеep writing!

    Mу hοmеpаgе :: Crear facebook

    ReplyDelete
  32. fantastic poіnts altogether, уou just ωon а new reаԁer.
    What сould you ѕuggest аbοut yоur publіsh that you simply made some
    daуѕ ago? Any positive?

    my blog ρost; facebook cuenta gratis

    ReplyDelete
  33. I have reаԁ sеvеrаl good stuff here.
    Certainly ωorth bookmarkіng fοr revisiting.
    Ι suгρrіse how so much effoгt you
    рut to creatе this sort of wonderful informative web ѕite.



    Feel frеe to ѵisit mу website ::
    Crear facebook

    ReplyDelete
  34. Hey would you mind stating which blog platform you're working with? I'm going to start my own
    blog in the near future but I'm having a difficult time deciding between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your design seems different then most blogs and I'm looking for something unique.
    P.S Apologies for getting off-topic but I had to ask!



    my website stargames.net

    ReplyDelete
  35. Amazing! This blog looks just like my old one! It's on a completely different subject but it has pretty much the same page layout and design. Excellent choice of colors!

    My web-site: novoline money game online spielen

    ReplyDelete

Not to sound needy, but I LOVE comments. Go ahead, leave one!