Sew Pretty Tshirt Dresses
Crafting with t-shirts is so much fun, and making pretty dresses for your little girl is a quick and easy way to start t-shirt crafting. Check out these cute outfits from Sew Pretty T-Shirt Dresses: More Than 25 Easy, Pattern-Free Designs for Little Girls.

Today, we’re happy to share the instructions for one of the projects in the book — the “It’s a Wrap” Dress.

it's a wrap t-shirt dress tutorial

It’s a Wrap T-shirt Dress Project Materials:

  • T-shirt, $1
  • 1 yard of fabric, on hand or $1 and up
  • 1 package of mini pompom trim, $1 and up
  • Zipper foot for your sewing machine, on hand
  • For the flower: fabric scraps, 3 individual pom poms and a pin back, on hand or $1
  • Sewing tools such as scissors, etc.

Total: $1 and up

How to make the dress (size small 2/3 — follow image instructions for larger sizes):

it's a wrap instructions

(Click image to enlarge instructions).

Getting Ready

1. Lay the t-shirt out flat, measure and mark 4.5″ down from each underarm seam, and cut. Mark the center front and center back of the shirt.

2. Measure the circumference at the bottom edge of the t-shirt and multiply by 1.25. Divide this number by 2 to determine the width of the skirt front and the skirt back. For a size 2/3, the skirt length will be 13″. See image for pattern diagram.

3. For the front wrap section, make a paper pattern or draw the following measurements with a fabric marker or chalk directly on the fabric, adjusting measurements as desired (see figure A on image above).

Width: Measure the width of the skirt front as cut; subtract 5″.

Length: Measure the length of the skirt front as cut; subtract 1/2″ on the left side and 2″ on the right side.

4. For the ties, cut two 30″ x 6″ pieces.

it's a wrap instructions - part2 - at dollarstorecrafts.com

(click to enlarge image instructions)

Sewing the Dress

5. Press the shorter side and the bottom edge of the front wrap piece 1/2″ to the wrong side. Using the zipper foot, sew the pompom trim to the wrong side of the folded edge, pivoting the stitching at the corner.

6. With right sides up, place the wrap piece over the skirt front, aligning the left and upper edges; baste (the layers will be treated as one in following steps). With right sides together, pin the skirt front to the back along the sides; stitch. Mark the center front and center back of the skirt.

7. Narrow-hem the bottom of the skirt.

8. Gather the upper edge of skirt. Pin the gathered edge to the lower edge of the t-shirt, aligning marks and seams. Adjust the gathers and stitch the skirt to shirt. Press seams toward the shirt. Remove visible basting stitches.

9. To make each tie, fold the 30″ x 6″ strip in half lengthwise with right sides together. Cut one short end diagonally. Stitch the long and diagonal edges (see figure B in the instruction image above). Trim seam allowances and corners; turn right side out. Clean-finish the open edge and press it 1/2″ to one side.

10. Pin the folded edge of each tie end at each side seam, centered over the waist seam. Edgestitch in place.

11. To make a flower (optional), cut a piece of skirt fabric 3″ wide x 8″ long. Fold the strip in half lengthwise, wrong sides together, and finish the cut edges with a zigzag stitch. Run a row of gathering stitches along the sewn edge, then pull to tighten, creating a flattened circle. Position as much of the stitching at the back of the flower as possible. Overlap the two short ends at the back of the flower and hand-sew to create a stay. Sew three mini pompoms in the center. Attach a pin back.

Photos and Project from Sew Pretty T-Shirt Dresses by Sweet Seams Studio, published by Sixth&Spring Books. Photography by Dan Howell and dress design and instructions copyright © 2013 by Sixth&Spring Books/Soho Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

sew pretty tshirt dresses

See More Sew Pretty T-shirt Dresses with the Sew Pretty T-Shirt Dresses Blog Tour

May 5
The New York Mom will feature a finished project
Nouveau Stitch will feature a finished project, “Flirty Shirt”
Just Pure Lovely will host a giveaway
The Crafty Princess Diaries will host a giveaway

May 6
Craft Knife will feature a finished project, “Cool Water”
Stitched by Crystal will feature a project for her 9-month-old
BlogHer DIY will feature a project

May 7
Prudent Baby will review and host a giveaway
House of 34 will host a giveaway

May 8
Smashed Peas and Carrots will feature a finished project, “Bubble Tea”
Simply Modern Mom will review and might do a project

May 9
Marsha’s Spot will feature a finished project, “Patchwork of Art” and host a giveaway
Sew Spoiled will review the book
Maya Made will feature a finished project

May 10
Dollar Store Crafts – featuring a project (this post here!)
Only From Scratch will feature a project

May 11
A Few Shortcuts will review and host a giveaway
Wild Olive will feature a finished project
Positively Splendid will feature a finished project

May 12
On the Laundry Line will feature a finished project
Elegance and Elephants will feature a finished project

May 13
Luvinthemommyhood will review and host a giveaway
My Little Gems will host a giveaway