Easy play dress - added to downloads

I know this has been explained many times in MG, but I don't remember a tutorial for it. I took pics this time.

Items needed:
-your favorite girl's t-shirt pattern
-knit fabric for bodice
-woven or knit fabric for skirt
-foe or binding for neckline

Step 1:
Adjust your favorite t-shirt pattern. Mine is Otto 4/04 #36. If you don't have this issue, please buy it today! It is so worth it!

A: Draw a line from the underarm seam to the center of your shirt. I drew it slightly sloping down, but you can go straight across if you like. This is the dotted line.

B: Draw a solid cutting/folding line as far away from the dotted line as you like. I just did a 1" line this time, but I do 2-3" for bigger sizes.

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...resstut017.jpg

Step 2:
Cut out front, back, and sleeves. This can be done with long sleeves, short sleeves, or no sleeves (you would need foe for the armholes).

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...resstut022.jpg

Step 3:
Sew up shoulders, and attach sleeves. Pretend that you are sewing up a regular t-shirt for now.

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...resstut025.jpg

Step 4:
Finish sleeve hems any way you like. I just folded under and used a zig-zag stitch. You could also coverstitch, use a rolled hem, use trim, or use foe. The choice is yours! Be creative!
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...resstut027.jpg

Step 5:
Pin each arm and underarm together. Sew last seam in shirt.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...resstut029.jpg

Step 6:
Decide how long you want to make your skirt. I made mine 16 inches for a 2T/86.

Cut a long rectangle the width of your fabric (if woven) or about double the width of your waist by your desired length.

If you are making a much larger dress, you may need 2 lengths of fabric for the skirt.

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...resstut030.jpg

Step 7:
Finish your hem any way you like. See step 4. I turned mine under 1/4" and again at 1".

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...resstut032.jpg

Step 8: Please remember this step! I always forget it!
Mark your four equal parts (front, sides, and back). Your back seam is not finished at this point. I kept in mind that I would use 1/2" seam to take care of the selvage I did not cut off.

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...resstut033.jpg

Step 9:
Sew 2 gathering lines about 1/4" apart along top edge of fabric. (Pay no attention to the presser foot. The stitches are on the far right.) Gather up skirt.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...resstut037.jpg

Step 10:
Match up midpoints of skirt and shirt and pin fabric right sides together. Sew back seam shut.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...resstut039.jpg

Step 11:
Sew bodice to skirt.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...resstut042.jpg

Step 12:
Finish neckline with foe, binding, or ribbing. I chose foe.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...resstut045.jpg

You are finished!
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...resstut047.jpg

great tut

Thanks, I have been wanting to do something this and was hesitating just branching out on my own. I'm not quite ready to just wing it!

Amy

Great tut, Mel! I have some of that same cord in my stash waiting for me to use it.

Now it makes sense to me! Thanks so much for explaining.

Very nice tut!

Steph

Great tutorial! Thanks for taking the time to type it out and take pics.

great tut, i will definately try it out soon

thanks I have been wanting to try this.
Kelley

Great tute!! that does look easy!

Thanks, I am going to make a few of these. They look like they sew up pretty fast.

Thanks.. I think I am going to do this for my dd. I am going to use the shirts that are too short for her instead!!

super cute!

Really cute! Thank you!

this is great.
and can you tell me about the way you traced your pattern?
is the front and back on the same one?

Great tutorial! I do mine slightly differently, I only sew one underarm/sleeve seam, then I gather my skirt material with my ruffler or gathering foot and sew it on to the bodice. Then I sew the remaining underarm/sleeve/side seam last because I don't like to attach the skirt in the round (just like I don't like to attach sleeves in the round). I guess I'm just lazy this way. Of course, my method has backfired at least once where I gathered the skirt up to tightly and it didn't fit.

yey thank you!!!

really cute! i like it!

Really cute. Thanks for the great detail/photos:)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bluemoon

this is great.
and can you tell me about the way you traced your pattern?
is the front and back on the same one?

---

Most t-shirt patterns are the same for the front and the back with the exception of the neckline. I just trace both necklines on one piece.

fabulous! I need to make Anna some summer dresses, and you make it look easy!

Great tute. I have been making theses for dd but must say it is nice to see I am doing it the right way. I love your idea of slightly curving the bodice. Must say I have been too lazy to gathre so have been using elastic instead.

I love these style dresses.
I also love that they generally last at least two years- as the second year they can be worn with leggins is they're too short ;)

Thanks, great tutorial, I have to make dd one!

wow thankyou!

thank you

that's awesome, thanks!

Thank you so much for your tutorial! So simple and cute dress :)

Great tut! Thanks!

Thanks for the great tut! Hope to try it out soon.

Great tutorial! Thank you for taking the time to teach us and inspire us!

This is exactly what I've been looking for!Thank you so much! :)

That is a great tutorial.