Transforming T-Shirts Into Flapper Dresses: A Creative Guide

Flappers were all the rage in the 1920s, and their style is an iconic, classic, and instantly recognizable fixture of the American style landscape. Flapper dresses are short slip dresses, sometimes with decorative beading, sequins, or fringe. To make a flapper dress from a T-shirt, you will need a spaghetti-strap tank top and a T-shirt, both in your size, and two T-shirts a size or two larger than your size. You will also need sewing supplies, including a ballpoint needle, polyester thread, and pins. Put on the tank top and measure from the bottom of the top down to your knee or higher, depending on how long you want the dress to be. Remove the top and set it aside. Take the T-shirt in your size and measure the same length from the bottom of the shirt. Cut off the top part of the shirt. Pin the bottom of the shirt, cut-side-up, to the bottom of your tank top, with the cut side on the outside and the tank top hem on the inside. Sew the shirts together using a zigzag stitch on a sewing machine or a slip stitch by hand. Measure the length of the dress from top to bottom and divide this length by 5, rounding up to the next inch. Cut the bottom hems off of the two larger shirts and cut five equal lengths straight across so you get five equal tubes. Place these T-shirt tubes around your original dress, starting at the top, and pin and sew them on. Cut fringe on the tubes, cutting from the bottom to the top of each tube just short of your stitches, with each piece of fringe about 1/3 inch wide. Now you have a flapper fringe skirt on the dress!

Choosing the right T-shirt

Size

It is recommended to use a T-shirt that is in your size. This will serve as the base for your dress, so choosing one that fits you well is important. However, some tutorials suggest using a T-shirt that is a size or two larger, especially if you want a looser-fitting dress.

Colour

The colour of the T-shirt will depend on your preference. You can choose a solid colour or go with a vintage-inspired shade like black, white, gold, or silver. Remember that darker colours, like black, are also good at hiding any imperfections in your sewing!

Fabric

The fabric of the T-shirt is important, especially if you plan to sew fringe onto it. Woven materials are generally better for stitching on fringe, but knit fabrics can also work. If you are unsure, it is a good idea to do a small test stitch on a scrap of the fabric to see how it holds.

Style

The style of the T-shirt can vary depending on the look you want to achieve. Sleeveless or spaghetti-strap T-shirts are good options, especially if you want to create a drop-waist effect. You can also use short-sleeved T-shirts, but long sleeves are generally not recommended for a flapper dress.

Length

The length of the T-shirt will depend on the desired length of your dress. Flapper dresses typically end at or above the knee, so choose a T-shirt that is long enough to accommodate this style. If your T-shirt is too long, you can always cut and hem it to the desired length.

Remember, the most important thing is to choose a T-shirt that you feel comfortable and confident in! With a bit of creativity and some simple sewing skills, you can transform a plain T-shirt into a fun and flashy flapper dress.

Cutting and measuring the T-shirt

To make a flapper dress from a T-shirt, you will need to do some cutting and measuring. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Firstly, put on the tank top and measure from the bottom of the top down to your knee or higher, depending on how long you want the dress to be. Remove the tank top and take your T-shirt. Measure the same length from the bottom of the T-shirt and make a mark to show where you need to cut. Trim the top part off and put it aside.

Now, take the bottom part of the T-shirt and cut off the bottom hem. You will be left with a tube of fabric. This will form the base of your flapper dress.

Next, you will need to create the top part of the dress. Take your spaghetti-strap tank top and pin the cut edge of the T-shirt tube to the bottom hem of the tank top, with the cut side facing out. Sew these two pieces together using a ballpoint needle and polyester thread. You can use a zigzag stitch on a sewing machine or hand-sew with a slip stitch.

To create the fringe skirt, you will need to cut the bottom hems off of two larger T-shirts. Measure and cut five equal lengths straight across the bottoms of the shirts to create five equal tubes.

Now, measure the length of your original dress from top to bottom and divide this by five, rounding up to the nearest inch. This will give you the width of each tube for your fringe skirt. Cut and measure the tubes accordingly.

Finally, place these T-shirt tubes around the original dress, starting at the very top. Overlap the tubes only at the ends if necessary, with the higher pieces overlapping the lower pieces. Pin the tubes to the dress and sew them on, using the same method as before.

You can now cut fringe on the tubes, from the bottom to the top of each tube, just short of your stitches. Each piece of fringe should be about 1/3 inch wide. Cut the fringe all around each tube, and your flapper fringe skirt is complete!

Sewing the T-shirt

Now that you have your materials ready, it's time to start sewing your T-shirt flapper dress!

Firstly, put on the tank top and measure the desired length of your dress from the bottom of the tank top. Remove the tank top and lay your T-shirt flat. Using the measurements taken from the tank top, measure the same length from the bottom of your T-shirt and mark where you need to cut. Trim the top part of the T-shirt and set it aside.

Next, take the bottom of your T-shirt and pin it cut-side-up to the bottom of your tank top, ensuring the cut side is facing outward. This will create the base of your flapper dress.

At this point, you can choose to sew the shirts together by hand or using a sewing machine. If using a sewing machine, select a zigzag stitch. If sewing by hand, use a slip stitch for a secure hold. Sew along the pinned edge to attach the T-shirt to the tank top, forming the dress.

Once the shirts are sewn together, try on your new dress and check if any adjustments are needed. It is better to spend a little extra time now to ensure a perfect fit.

Now, it's time to add some flair to your flapper dress! Measure the length of the dress from top to bottom and divide that length by 5, rounding up to the nearest inch. This will give you the width of each tube that you will create from the larger T-shirts.

Take your larger T-shirts and cut off the bottom hems. Using the width obtained from your calculation, measure and cut five equal lengths straight across the bottom of the shirts to create tubes.

Place these T-shirt tubes around the original dress, starting at the very top. Overlap the tubes only at the ends if necessary, with the higher pieces overlapping the lower ones. Pin the tubes to the dress and sew them in place, using the same method as before.

Finally, cut fringe on the tubes you attached to the dress. Cut from the bottom to the top of each tube, stopping just short of your stitches. Each fringe piece should be about 1/3 inch wide. Cut the fringe all around each tube, and voilà! You now have a flapper fringe skirt attached to your dress.

Feel free to add more embellishments, such as a headband or accessories, to complete your 1920s flapper look!

Creating the flapper look with accessories

The flapper look is all about the accessories. Here are some ideas to help you create an authentic 1920s flapper outfit:

Headwear

The flapper style is characterised by headbands, hats, scarves, and turbans. You could opt for a beaded, sequined, or pearl headband, or create your own by buying a string of beads and fashioning them into a headband. A simple way to do this is to cut an elastic cord to half the circumference of your head, knot it, and string on some beads. You can then glue on a feather clip and a sparkly brooch for added glamour.

If you prefer a hat, the cloche is the most iconic choice. This bell-shaped hat fits closely to the head and is often adorned with beads, flowers, feathers, or embroidery. Alternatively, you could tie your own turban using a length of cloth, or opt for a beaded skullcap.

Neck Adornments

Flappers rarely ignored their necks, so be sure to include scarves, necklaces, or both. Choose a long, thin scarf, ideally with fringe, or a long beaded or pearl necklace. You could also double up with several long necklaces of varied lengths.

Gloves

Elbow-length gloves were a popular choice for flappers, adding a touch of sophistication to their outfits. Look for satin or lace gloves, either fingerless or with fingers.

Hosiery

Flappers were known for their rolled stockings, usually just below the knee. Flesh-tone or black were popular colours, but patterned and pastel-coloured stockings also worked with the flapper aesthetic. Fishnets are another option, and don't forget that stockings in the 1920s had seams, so choose a pair with seams or draw a seam along the back of your hosiery with an eyebrow pencil.

Footwear

Flapper dresses were short, so footwear was an important part of the overall look. The most popular shoes featured a heel of at least two inches, with an ankle strap, Mary-Jane, or T-strap style. Look for shoes with sequins or beads, but remember that flapper fashion was oriented around dancing, so choose shoes that are comfortable and danceable.

Other Accessories

Complete the look with some art deco-inspired accessories, such as a fan, clutch, or coat. You could also carry a flask secured to your leg with a garter belt to embody the rebellious spirit of the flapper, defying Prohibition.

Styling hair and makeup

The flapper look is all about channelling the rebellious spirit of the 1920s flapper girls. Flappers were known for their short hairstyles, bold makeup choices, and glamorous accessories. Here are some tips to style your hair and makeup to complete your flapper look:

Hair:

• The iconic flapper hairstyle is the sleek and shiny bob with blunt bangs. If you don't want to cut your hair, you can create a faux bob by pinning your hair up in a tight bun or plait.
• Other options include flowy curls for a feminine Parisian look, pin curls using single- or double-prong clips, or a messy updo with a headband.
• Finger waves, either sleek or frizzy, were also popular. Consider using curlers or hot sticks to create this look.
• Headbands, forehead bands, hair combs, tiara crowns, and skull caps were common accessories. Feathers, gemstones, and crystals added a touch of glamour.

Makeup:

• Brows: Flappers often had long, thin, and straight eyebrows. You can achieve this look by darkening the top of your brows with an eyebrow pencil, leaving the bottom lighter or translucent to create the appearance of thinner brows.
• Eyes: Use dark eyeshadow and smoky eyeliner above and below the eyes. For a dramatic effect, blend a matte black eyeshadow over your eyelids and crease, and smudge out the lower lash line.
• Cheeks: Go for a light, powdery finish with a pink blush on the apples of your cheeks.
• Lips: Use concealer or foundation to disguise your natural lip shape. Then, use a lip liner to draw an exaggerated Cupid's bow and reshape your lips, focusing on a sharp Cupid's bow and a plump bottom lip. Fill in your lips with a burgundy or dark red lipstick.

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