Creating A Cute T-Shirt Dress With Ruffles

Adding ruffles to a T-shirt dress is a fun and easy project that can be done by both beginners and experienced sewers. This guide will teach you how to create a stylish and comfortable ruffled T-shirt dress using simple techniques and readily available materials. Whether you're upcycling an old T-shirt or creating a new dress from scratch, this tutorial will show you the steps to achieve a beautiful and unique garment. So, get your sewing machine ready, and let's begin!

Choosing the right fabric

Fabric Type

The type of fabric you choose will impact the overall look and feel of the dress. For a soft and stretchy option, knit fabrics are ideal. They are easy to work with and comfortable to wear. Cotton knit, in particular, is a great choice as it is breathable and has a nice drape. You can also opt for woven fabrics, such as cotton or linen, for a more structured look. These fabrics are crisp and add a bit of volume to the ruffles.

Colour and Pattern

Consider the colour and pattern of your fabric to create a cohesive look. If you're using a printed T-shirt, choose a fabric with a complementary colour or pattern. For a solid-coloured shirt, you can add interest with a printed fabric for the ruffles or vice versa. Play around with different combinations to find a unique look.

Fabric Weight and Drape

The weight and drape of the fabric will affect the flow and movement of the dress. Lighter-weight fabrics, such as cotton voile or lightweight linen, create a breezy and airy feel, making them perfect for summer dresses. Heavier fabrics, on the other hand, will give the dress more structure and volume. Consider the overall style you want to achieve and choose a fabric weight that aligns with it.

Amount of Fabric

The amount of fabric required will depend on the size of the dress and the number of ruffles you plan to add. For a child's dress, one yard of fabric is usually sufficient. However, for larger sizes or adult dresses, you may need more fabric. Measure the desired length of the dress and calculate the amount of fabric needed accordingly.

Fabric Care

Consider the care instructions of the fabric to ensure it is suitable for your needs. Some fabrics may require special care, such as hand washing or dry cleaning. Choose a fabric that is easy to maintain and aligns with your lifestyle. For example, if you prefer machine washable fabrics, opt for options that can be laundered at home.

Fabric Quality

Lastly, pay attention to the quality of the fabric. Choose a reputable fabric store or supplier to ensure you are getting high-quality material. Good-quality fabric will not only look better but will also be more durable and easier to work with. It is worth investing in quality fabric, especially if you are putting time and effort into creating a handmade dress.

Cutting the T-shirt

To make a T-shirt dress with ruffles, you will need a T-shirt, fabric scraps, a sewing machine, and basic sewing supplies like pins, clips, and scissors.

Before you begin cutting the T-shirt, it is recommended to size up by one size, as you will lose width when adding the ruffles. First, shorten the shirt to your desired length. You can make the top as long or as short as you want, but for this example, we will cut the shirt three inches below the arms. Next, divide the shoulder seam in half and angle the cut down towards the middle of the shirt. Use this first cut as a guide to cut the other side, ensuring both sides are the same.

Now, you will cut the fabric for the ruffles. First, decide on the length of your skirt. For this example, the skirt is cut at 20 inches, but you can adjust this measurement as needed. After determining the length, cut the ruffles. For this example, the ruffles are cut at 2.5 inches wide and double the length of the shirt top. Open up the shirt and measure the top to ensure your ruffle length is correct. Remember that the stretch of the fabric should go the long way on the ruffle.

At this point, you should have two ruffle pieces. Sew the short ends of your fabric pieces together to form a loop, and finish the seam with a serger or a zigzag stitch. It is recommended to hem your ruffle pieces before gathering them. After hemming, baste two lines around the top edge of the ruffles to gather them, then pull on the basting threads. Gather both ruffles until they are the same length as the connector piece (the small piece connecting the two sides of the shirt after cutting).

Cutting the ruffles

The first step to making a t-shirt dress with ruffles is deciding how long you want your ruffles to be. A good length for ruffles is typically between 2 and 4 inches, but you can go up to 6 inches if you want more dramatic ruffles. Keep in mind that you'll also need to add in the seam allowance and the hem. For example, if you want 2-inch ruffles with a 1/2-inch seam allowance and a 1/2-inch hem, you'll need to cut your ruffle fabric to a length of 3 inches.

Next, you'll need to decide how wide to make your ruffle strips. This will depend on how ruffly you want your dress to be. If you cut your strips longer, you'll get more ruffles. A good rule of thumb is to cut your strips about twice the width of the shirt. For example, if the hem of your shirt is 12 inches wide, you'll want to cut your strips to a width of 25 inches.

Now it's time to cut your ruffle strips. If you're using a pre-made shirt, simply measure the width of the front and back pieces to determine the length of your strips. Don't forget to add in the seam allowance! Cut two strips that are twice the width of your shirt, or one continuous strip if you prefer.

If you're sewing your shirt from a pattern, you'll want to sew the shirt together first, leaving the bottom unhemmed. Then, follow the same steps as above to cut your ruffle strips.

Once you have your ruffle strips cut, it's time to hem them. Sew the short ends of the strips together using a basic straight stretch, then press the seams apart and pin your hem in place. You can use a coverstitch machine or a regular sewing machine to create a single or double line of hemming.

Sewing the ruffles

Detailed instructions on sewing the ruffles are available in the sources, but are not included in this summary.>

Sewing the ruffles

Now that you have your fabric cut out, it's time to sew the ruffles onto the T-shirt. The process will differ slightly depending on whether you are adding ruffles to an existing shirt or sewing them onto a shirt you are making from a pattern.

If you are working with a premade shirt, you will be pinning the top/gathered/raw edge of the ruffle to the raw edge of the shirt’s hem. If the shirt has a hem, you will be pinning the ruffle inside the shirt. Match and pin where the quarters are marked, then continue pinning the raw edges around the bottom of the shirt. With a strip this long, it is helpful to work in sections.

If you are sewing a shirt from a pattern, measure, press, and pin the shirt hem in place, but do not stitch the hem. You will hem and attach the ruffles at the same time in the next steps. Begin by matching and pinning one of the side seams, aligning the raw edges on the inside of the shirt. Line up the raw edges around the bottom of the shirt and pin.

To attach the ruffles, use a long straight stitch, zig-zag stitch, or stretch stitch, being careful as you get to your pins and removing them when you can. You may need to hand sew some of the gathers to the shirt if you miss any as you sew.

If you are adding ruffles to a shirt you are making from a pattern, hem and attach the ruffles at the same time. With the right sides of the shirt facing each other and the ruffle in the middle, line up the shoulder seams and pin or clip this spot. Continue working down the front and back of the shirt with the ruffle between the two layers of the shirt. Sew this seam with a serger or stretch stitch on your sewing machine. Repeat with the other side.

Finally, if you are adding ruffles to a premade shirt, you will now sew the connector piece to the bottom of the shirt. Place the connector piece over the first ruffle, with the right side of the connector piece facing the wrong side of the smaller ruffle, and stitch. Press the waist seams up and topstitch from the outside to reinforce the seams.

Hemming the dress

Firstly, decide on the desired length of your ruffles. A typical ruffle length can range from 2 to 4 inches, but you can go up to 6 inches if you want a more dramatic effect. Keep in mind that you will need to add a seam allowance and a hem allowance to your ruffle length. The seam allowance is the amount of fabric that will be sewn under the shirt, and the hem allowance is the amount you want to fold and hem the ruffles.

Next, determine the width of your ruffle strips. This will depend on how "ruffly" you want your ruffle to be. If you cut the strips longer, you will create more gathers and a fuller ruffle. A good starting point is to measure the width of the shirt's hem and then cut your strips about twice that width. You can also add in the seam allowance along the side of the shirt if you wish.

Now it's time to cut your ruffle strips. If you are using two strips, sew them together first, right sides facing, using the seam allowance you included in your measurements. Press the seams open, and then measure and pin your hem as you normally would.

The next step is to hem your ruffle strips. You can use a single or double line of stitching, depending on your preference. Since the ruffle will not be stretched when the garment is worn, you can use a lengthened straight stitch without any issues. Alternatively, you can use a zig-zag or stretch stitch if that makes you feel more comfortable.

After hemming, you will prepare to sew your gathers. There are several methods to gather fabric, and you can choose the one that works best for you. One common technique is to sew two lines of basting stitches, one at roughly 1/8 inch and the other at 1/4 inch from the raw edge. This will allow you to gather the fabric evenly and create a neat ruffle.

Finally, you will attach the ruffles to the dress. Place the ruffles and the dress right sides together, matching the raw edges. Pin or clip them in place, starting at one of the side seams and working your way around the bottom of the shirt. Sew the ruffle to the dress, using a stretch stitch or a serger if you have one, as this seam needs to be stretchy.

And there you have it! Your t-shirt dress with ruffles is now hemmed and ready to be worn. This process may take a bit of time and practice, but the end result is a beautiful and unique garment.

Frequently asked questions