The easiest sewing I've done in a while!
By creematee
@creematee (2810)
United States
July 24, 2007 3:51pm CST
I've been busy sewing dresses for my girls. Trying to get some back to school things made for, well, back to school. :) Some of the outfits have been traditional dresses, but I've started making t-shirt dresses that are so incredibly easy to do!All it takes is one t-shirt (i've been using tank shirts) and a strip of fabric about 10-12 inches wide by the width of fabric (usually about 44 inches long.)
I sew a hem in the strip, then gather the top. I cut the bottom hem off the t-shirt, and then serge the strip onto the shirt. It couldn't be easier!
For decoration, I add iron-ons, applique, beads, or buttons. My girls love them, and like I said, they are so easy to make!
4 people like this
11 responses
@pamcake (276)
• United States
24 Jul 07
That is a great idea! I have been wanting to try different things. I am a rookie when it comes to making things..but I love to try..and this does sound simple to do, but trendy at the same time! My little girl would lov eit if I made something for her..so I'm going to give this a try. Thanks:)
2 people like this
@creematee (2810)
• United States
25 Jul 07
Go for it pamcake! Your little one will love it. Make sure you post a photo when you get it done. :) I'd love to see her in it.
1 person likes this
@creematee (2810)
• United States
25 Jul 07
Thank you Katlady! My daughter thinks she's cute, too! LOL!
That's the best part about making these kinds of dresses. There really isn't any talent necessary. LOL!
Have a great day!
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
25 Jul 07
Well creematee those dresses are really cute. Kids just love it when mom makes things for them. I know mine did. Years ago the in thing with the tee shirts was to get them too big and put a croutch in them and the kids wore them as shirt-shorts. Like the tee thingee that you put on babies but they were for older kids.
@creematee (2810)
• United States
25 Jul 07
The little onesie that you are describing sounds like fun! I may have to give that a try. Did they have snaps (i'd probably use velcro) in the "middle?" I may have to borrow a few of my son's t-shirts and try them out on my youngest. :) Thanks for the inspiration!
1 person likes this
@creematee (2810)
• United States
25 Jul 07
Didn't think about that. LOL! I may just have to make a trip to joann's later for snaps, and the dollar store for t-shirts.
1 person likes this
@creematee (2810)
• United States
5 Aug 07
Thanks cutepenguin. They are so much fun to make. I like them because they are so easy, and obviously cute, too!
The kids are going to tie-dye some t-shirts today, so I'll have some new shirts to "dress-up".
@onecutehoneybear (938)
• United States
25 Jul 07
Thats awesome. I wish I had more time to sew but since I started working and moved I haven't had time for anything. Of course I would need a serger for that to.
1 person likes this
@creematee (2810)
• United States
25 Jul 07
You could make it with an ordinary zig-zag on a reg. sewing machine. I use the serger because, well, I've got to do something with it. LOL!
That's my biggest fear about going back to work. My youngest will be home for another year, and then, DH thinks I should go back to work. I've been having too much fun being at home though.
Maybe, if my daughter will let me keep them, I can make a few extra and send to you. You can tell your kids that you made them--I won't mind. :)
1 person likes this
@vicki2876 (5636)
• Canada
5 Aug 07
Wow what a great idea! She looks so cute. That is a great affordable way to make a cool dress.
@creematee (2810)
• United States
8 Aug 07
Thanks vicki! It is so easy. The kids just tie-dyed a few t-shirts, and I'm going to use deebomb's idea and make them into onsies for my littlest one. (Maybe then I can keep them straight!)
@Modestah (11177)
• United States
29 Jul 07
I used to do these too, very easy - but could actually be easier. huh? yep! at thrift shops you can get bedskirts for like 50cents because no one wants to buy used bedskirts, lol. cut the skirt off of the sheet part and as it is just one long wide ruffle all you need to do is attach it to your t-shirt...and sew one seam. the hem is already made and depending on how you took it off of the sheet part, the gathering is already done. wooohooo!
I think your little dress in pink is awfully sweet, and so is your precious model! thank you for sharing!
@creematee (2810)
• United States
30 Jul 07
Oh, I love this idea, Modestah! Thank you for brainstorming for me!!! LOL! I could find those bedskirts pretty cheap, and then the girls could tie-dye them to match the shirts, or we could just tie-dye the whole thing. I'm really excited about this. My daughter's teacher is going to think I'm nuts when she has a t-shirt dress for everyday of the week! HEE HEE
BTW... thank you for the kind words for my model, and her dress. I think she's pretty sweet too. (not now, though, she's got stinky pants! P-U!)
@coolseeds (3919)
• United States
29 Jul 07
I'll remember this if I ever need to make some t-shirt dresses. LOL. My girlfriend is trying to learn how to knit.
@creematee (2810)
• United States
30 Jul 07
Best wishes to your GF! I tried to learn, but I got only as far as casting on. LOL! Guess I'll leave the knitting to your GF, and I'll stick to sewing for a while.
@sumofalltears (3988)
• United States
24 Jul 07
Very creative, maybe you can let your girls do some designing on them to, make it special for them as well.
@creematee (2810)
• United States
25 Jul 07
My older daughter has been picking out buttons to sew on her next one. I thought it'd be a good way to teach her how to sew buttons. It wouldn't really matter where it went, just as long as it was fastened on. :)
The girls all get their say on the color fabric I use for the skirt. My tub that I brought down with the hopes of empting it, is getting fuller, as I get more ideas everyday.
2 people like this
@cowgirl03051979 (918)
• United States
18 Nov 11
i really like that dress i think it is so cute and you have done really good work on it thats a good idea for a pattern that you are using to make them thank you for posting it on mylot i will definitely have to try it when i get some free time on my hands i am always looking for simple patters and designs for dresses i like making my own because most of the time it is cheaper and that way i can custom cut them to fit my own body style i get so frustrated when i go shopping for dresses and out of like 10 that i try on only 2 will fit like they are sopposed to because i have really long legs and a really short mid section/torso
