
There are many ways to turn a baggy T-shirt into a dress. Here are some of the most popular methods:
Sewing a Simple Dress
1. Choose a large T-shirt and turn it inside out.
2. Trace a tank top onto the shirt, extending the hem to the bottom.
3. Cut out your tracing, leaving a 1⁄2-inch (1.3-cm) seam allowance.
4. Sew up the sides of the shirt using a 1⁄2-inch (1.3-cm) seam allowance.
5. Hem the armholes if desired.
6. Trim off any loose or hanging threads.
7. Turn the shirt right-side-out, and cut the collar off if you want.
Making a Side Fringe Dress
1. Spread a large, baggy T-shirt on a flat surface.
2. Trace a tank top onto the shirt, leaving a 2-inch (5.1-cm) seam allowance.
3. Cut the shirt along the lines.
4. Cut a 2-inch (5.1-cm) deep fringe into the sides of the shirt.
5. Tie the front fringe to the back fringe.
Tying a Shirt into a Dress
1. Get a large T-shirt with a neck hole big enough to fit around your chest.
2. Put the shirt on and pull it under your armpits.
3. Tie the arms behind your back or in front of your chest.
4. Alternatively, tuck the arms into the shirt and wear a belt.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Techniques | Sewing, shrinking, tying, cutting, ironing, gluing, taping, clipping, hemming, tucking, pinning, rolling |
Tools | Sewing machine, scissors, iron, glue, tape, pins, elastic, needle, pot, washing machine, dryer, safety pins, fashion tape, shirt clips, ruler, pen, chalk, belt, cardigan, wide belt, bias tape, jersey fabric, brooches, binder clips, thread, measuring tape, fabric |
Materials | T-shirt, tank top, elastic, fabric, fitted shirt, stretchy fabric, jersey fabric, cotton fabric, ribbed collar, bias tape, brooches, binder clips, thread, measuring tape |
What You'll Learn
Sewing a simple dress
Materials:
- A large T-shirt
- A tank top that fits you
- Tailor's chalk or pen
- A ruler or measuring tape
- Sewing machine
- Small scissors
Steps:
- Choose a large T-shirt and turn it inside out. The T-shirt should be long enough to cover your hips and upper thighs.
- Trace a tank top onto the T-shirt, extending the hem to the bottom. Place a tank top that fits you on top of the T-shirt, ensuring that the shoulders align. Trace the sides and straps of the tank top, extending the sides to the hem of the T-shirt.
- Make any necessary adjustments to achieve your desired fit. For example, you can taper the dress at the waist or add a band of fabric to the bottom if the shirt is too short.
- Cut out your tracing, leaving a 1⁄2-inch (1.3-cm) seam allowance.
- Sew up the sides of the T-shirt using a 1⁄2-inch (1.3-cm) seam allowance. Use a zigzag stitch and a matching thread colour, starting just below the armpits and finishing at the hem. Remember to backstitch when you start and finish sewing.
- Hem the armholes for a nicer finish. Fold and pin the raw, cut edges of the armholes by 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 inch (0.64 to 1.27 cm). Sew the hems close to the raw, cut edge using a zigzag stitch and a matching thread colour. Don't forget to backstitch and remove the pins as you sew.
- Trim off any loose or hanging threads.
- Turn the dress right-side-out, and cut the collar off, if desired. You can also modify the collar by cutting it into a V-neck or a scoop neck.
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Adding elastic to the waistband
Step 1: Prepare the T-Shirt
Turn the T-shirt inside out and put it on. Mark where your waist is with a pin or a dressmaker's chalk. Take the shirt off and draw a horizontal line across the front and back of the shirt at the marking. This line will be the guideline for the elastic.
Step 2: Cut the Elastic
Measure around your waist and cut a piece of 3/8-inch (9.5-millimetre) elastic according to that measurement. Use black elastic for dark-coloured shirts and white elastic for light-coloured shirts. If you can find a matching colour, that's even better!
Step 3: Pin the Elastic
Fold the shirt's right side seam towards the back so that it lays flat. Pin one end of the elastic over the seam, aligning the raw edges with the line you drew. Make sure that the elastic is level with the line. Do not pin the rest of the elastic.
Step 4: Sew the Elastic to the Shirt
Clamp the foot and needle of your sewing machine down over the shirt and elastic. Give the elastic a tug, stretching it out. Backstitch once, then sew forward using a narrow zigzag stitch. Keep the elastic pulled taut as you sew. The fabric will gather as you sew. Make sure that you are sewing the elastic over the line that you drew and that your thread colour matches the shirt material.
Step 5: Continue Sewing and Overlap the Elastic
When you reach the left side of the shirt, press the seam down against the fabric and sew right across the seam, keeping the elastic pulled taut. Continue sewing across the back of the shirt. When you reach the right side seam again, overlap the ends of the elastic by 1/2 inch (1.27 centimetres). Sew back and forth across the two ends a few times.
Step 6: Finish the Waistband
Snip off the excess elastic and knot and trim the loose threads. Your waistband is now complete!
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Making a side fringe dress
Materials:
- A large, baggy T-shirt that is at least three sizes too big.
- A tank top that fits you.
- A flat surface to work on.
- A fabric marker or a crayon that will show up on your T-shirt.
- Fabric scissors.
- A ruler or measuring tape.
Instructions:
- Spread the T-shirt on a flat surface.
- Place the tank top on top of the T-shirt, aligning the shoulders of both.
- Trace the sides of the tank top onto the T-shirt, leaving a 2-inch (5.1-cm) seam allowance.
- When you reach the armholes, draw straight lines from the armpits to the shoulders.
- Extend the lines to the bottom corners of the T-shirt.
- Cut the T-shirt along the lines you traced, making sure to cut through both layers. Keep the shoulders and collar intact.
- Cut a 2-inch (5.1-cm) deep fringe into the sides of the shirt. Make the slits 1⁄2 to 1 inch (1.3 to 2.5 cm) wide, starting from the bottom hem and ending at the armpits.
- Tie the front fringe to the back fringe in tight double-knots, working your way up both sides of the shirt.
You can also modify the collar of your new dress for a nicer look. Cut off the ribbed collar, then trim the front into a V-neck or scoop-neck shape. Fold the edges down by 1⁄2 inch (1.27 cm) and stitch them in place with a zigzag stitch, or bind them with bias tape or extra jersey fabric.
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Tying a shirt into a dress
Step 1: Get a large t-shirt
Choose a shirt with a neck hole that will fit around your chest, just below your armpits. The shirt should be large enough to cover your hips and upper thighs.
Step 2: Put on the shirt
Pull the shirt over your head, with your head and arms through the neck hole. Pull the shirt down so that it sits around your chest, just below your armpits. The arms of the shirt should hang loosely at your sides.
Step 3: Tie the shirt
There are several ways to tie the shirt, depending on the look you want to achieve:
- For a simple look, grab the arms of the t-shirt and pull them behind your back. Tie them into a tight knot to cinch the extra fabric.
- For a cute look, grab the arms and pull them in front of your chest. Tie them into a tight knot under your bust, cinching the extra fabric.
- For an alternate look, tuck the arms of the shirt into the shirt so they can't be seen. Wear a belt around your waist for added style. You can also turn the sleeves into pockets by sewing or safety-pinning the sleeve openings shut.
Step 4: Adjust the collar (optional)
You can cut the collar off the shirt for a different style. You can also cut the front of the collar into a V-neck or scoop-neck shape.
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Making a fitted t-shirt dress
Materials:
- A fitted T-shirt (template)
- A large, baggy T-shirt
- Dressmaker's chalk or pen
- Straight edge (e.g. ruler or cardboard)
- Sewing pins
- Sewing machine (optional)
Method:
- Fold both shirts in half lengthwise. If you want your dress to be sleeveless, tuck the sleeves of the fitted shirt inside so that they are out of the way.
- Place the fitted shirt on top of the large shirt, making sure that the long, folded edges are aligned, and that the shoulders and collars of both shirts match up.
- Trace ½ inch (1.27 centimeters) around the sides of the fitted shirt. This extra space will be your seam allowance. You want to trace around the sleeves/armholes and side edges, but stop when you get to the bottom of the fitted shirt. Do not draw across the bottom hem.
- Extend the line to the bottom corner of the large shirt. Place a long ruler or straight edge on top of your large shirt, angling it so that it connects the bottom corner of the fitted shirt with the bottom corner of the large shirt. Draw along this line, then remove the ruler.
- Cut along the lines that you drew. Take the fitted shirt off and put it away, then use a pair of fabric scissors to cut through all four layers of fabric.
- Unfold the shirt and pin the edges. Keep the right sides facing in as you pin along the two side edges. Do not pin along the armholes or sleeve ends.
- Sew the side seams. Use a ½-inch (1.27-centimetre) seam allowance and a narrow zigzag stitch. If you added sleeves, be sure to sew along the top and bottom edges, but not the openings.
- Hem the dress, if desired. T-shirt fabric does not fray, but hemming will give your dress a more professional finish. Fold the bottom hem up by ½ inch (1.27 centimetres), press it flat with an iron, then sew around it using a narrow zigzag stitch, ⅛ inch (0.32 centimetres) away from the inside edge. You can also hem the sleeves or armholes in a similar fashion.
- Consider modifying the collar. Most baggy T-shirts have a boring collar. Step things up by cutting the collar off first. Next, trim the front of the collar down into a V-neck or a scoop-neck. Fold the edges down by ½ inch (1.27 centimetres) and stitch them in place using a zigzag stitch. Alternatively, you can bind them with bias tape or extra ribbed/jersey fabric.
- Turn the dress right side out. It is now ready to wear! If the dress flares out too much for your liking, turn it inside out and sew the bottom edges narrower so that they don't angle as much.
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Frequently asked questions
The first step is to find a large t-shirt that is baggy and long enough to wear as a dress.
Turn the t-shirt inside out and put it on. Mark where your waist is with a pin or dressmaker's chalk.
Take the shirt off and draw a horizontal line across the front and back of the shirt at the marking.
Measure your waist and cut a piece of elastic to the same size. Pin one end of the elastic over the right side seam of the shirt, aligning the raw edges with the line you drew.
Sew the elastic to the shirt, pulling it taut as you sew. This will gather the fabric. Overlap the ends of the elastic and sew back and forth to secure it. Cut off any excess elastic.
Yes, there are several other ways to make a t-shirt dress. You can make a fitted t-shirt dress, a simple t-shirt dress with a cinched waist, or a bodice t-shirt dress with a gathered skirt.