Transform Old T-Shirts Into Stylish Dresses

Upcycling old clothes is a great way to give them a new lease of life. If you have a T-shirt that you no longer wear, you can easily turn it into a dress. This is a simple project that should take less than an hour and is perfect for beginners. You will need a T-shirt, a sewing machine or serger, matching thread, and (optionally) some elastic. First, decide where you want to cut the T-shirt and cut off the sleeves. Then, cut the skirt fabric and sew it to the top of the T-shirt. Finally, add elastic to the waistline if desired.

Choosing the right T-shirt

T-shirt dresses are a great way to wear something comfortable yet stylish, and they can be dressed up or down with accessories. To make a T-shirt dress, you'll need to choose the right T-shirt, so here are some tips to help you select the perfect one:

Fabric

The fabric of the T-shirt is an important consideration. While T-shirts come in various blends, 100% cotton is the gold standard as it is soft, strong, and breathable. However, a 50/50 polyester-cotton blend is also a good option as it is less likely to shrink in the wash and wrinkles will be less of a concern.

Fit

The fit of the T-shirt dress is crucial. You want it to hug your body in the right places while still being comfortable. If you have a slim or lean torso, opt for a slim-fit T-shirt that is tailored at the torso. If you're not slim, give yourself more room with a classic or modern fit. The sleeves of the T-shirt should ideally end at mid-bicep, and the length of the T-shirt should be a few inches below your belt, long enough to cover your waistband.

Neckline

The neckline of the T-shirt can also make a difference in the overall look and feel. A crew neck will make your frame look more square, so it is ideal for those with a slight build or those who are tall and willowy. On the other hand, a V-neck is less boxy and will make your neck look longer, so it is a good choice if you have a stockier build.

Size

When it comes to size, don't get too hung up on the label. T-shirt sizes can vary greatly between brands and stores, so it's a good idea to try on a variety of sizes and use your best judgment. Look for a T-shirt that is neither too tight nor too loose and fits your body type well. The shoulder seams should reach the end of your shoulder, and the bottom hem should hit at or below your hips.

Colour and Pattern

Finally, consider the colour and pattern of the T-shirt. A solid colour, such as white or light blue, can be versatile and easily paired with other items in your wardrobe. However, don't be afraid to add some vibrant options or fun graphic designs to your collection as well.

Cutting the T-shirt

The first step in making a dress from an old T-shirt is deciding where to cut the T-shirt. You can cut it just above the hem for a drop-waist style, go for an empire waist by cutting straight across just under the armpit, or cut just below the graphic or about halfway between the armpit and hem. You can also try on the T-shirt and mark with a straight pin about where you want your skirt to start.

For a toddler-sized dress, you can have your child try on the T-shirt to check the length, collar, and sleeves. The length will be about an inch shorter after cutting and sewing. Cut the T-shirt, laying it flat and smoothing it out first. Then, take a shirt that already fits your child and lay it on top, lining up the top seams. Cut straight across about half an inch down from the bottom of the pattern shirt.

If you want a shorter dress, cut the sleeves and the top part of the shirt. You can trace a horizontal line to help guide you. Place the top shirt next to it and trace two diagonal lines to make the skirt shape. The top of the larger shirt must have the same dimensions as the bottom of the smaller shirt. Trace the lines, pin them together, and sew with zigzag stitches. Once you're done sewing, cut out the extra fabric on the sides.

Now, cut across your shirt half an inch down from where you want your skirt to connect. Use fabric scissors or a ruler and rotary cutter with a cutting mat underneath.

Preparing the Skirt

If you want the skirt to be shorter, cut it now, but leave the finished edge alone. If your shirt doesn't have side seams, mark each side of the skirt with a dot to ensure it attaches evenly to the dress. Now, baste along the top of the skirt with a long stitch length and pull the top thread to gather the skirt.

Attaching the Skirt

Turn the skirt inside out and the shirt right side out. Put the shirt inside the skirt, lining up the raw edges with right sides facing each other. Line up the dots you drew on the skirt with the seams sewn on the shirt. Spread the gathered skirt evenly and pin it in place. Sew the shirt to the skirt, staying to the left of the gathered stitching so that it doesn't show.

Preparing the skirt

The first step is to cut the skirt. For this, you will need to use the larger t-shirt, which will be the base for the skirt of the dress. Cut straight across the shirt, about one or two inches below the neckline. This will be the top of the skirt. Then, cut the sides at an angle, starting from the shoulder seam and ending at the hem.

If you want the skirt to be shorter, now is the time to cut it to your desired length. However, make sure to leave the finished edge at the bottom of the skirt alone, as this will form the hem.

Next, place the front and back pieces of the skirt together, with the right sides facing each other. Sew down the side seams, being careful not to stretch the fabric as you sew.

Now, it's time to attach the skirt to the top of the dress, which will be made from the smaller t-shirt. Try on the smaller t-shirt and then pull on the skirt to determine the desired length of the dress. Mark this spot with a pin, then measure down one more inch to account for the seam allowance. Cut the t-shirt at this point.

At this stage, you may want to adjust the waistline of the dress. If you prefer a more fitted waist, re-sew the side seams of the skirt, angling them inwards so that the top of the skirt is the same width as the bottom of the top. However, if you want a looser waist, which is the current style for t-shirt dresses, you can skip this step.

Attaching the skirt to the top:

Mark the centre front and centre back of both the skirt and the top with pins. Turn the top upside down and place it inside the skirt, matching up the raw edges and side seams. Match up the front and back centres and pin the pieces together. Sew the skirt to the top.

Since the skirt is wider than the top, the fabric will bunch up between the pins. As you sew, gently stretch the top so that the skirt fabric lays flat. Do not stretch more than necessary, and use a stitch that will stretch, such as a zigzag or stretch stitch.

Attaching the skirt

Now that you have your t-shirt and skirt pieces ready, it's time to attach them and turn them into a dress! Here's a detailed guide on how to do that:

Preparing the Skirt and T-shirt:

• If you want a shorter skirt, now is the time to cut it to your desired length. Make sure to leave the finished edge at the bottom of the skirt untouched.
• If your t-shirt doesn't have side seams, mark each side of the skirt with a dot. This will help ensure that the skirt is attached evenly.
• Baste along the top of the skirt with long stitches, but do not backstitch. Pull the top thread to gather the skirt gently.

Attaching the Pieces:

• Turn the skirt inside out, and turn the t-shirt right side out.
• Slip the t-shirt inside the skirt, lining up the raw edges and the right sides of the fabric facing each other.
• Line up the dots you drew on the skirt with the seams on the t-shirt. Spread the gathered skirt evenly and pin it in place.
• Sew the skirt to the t-shirt, staying to the left of the gathered stitching so that it remains hidden. For added durability, especially if the dress is for a child, sew around twice.

Final Steps:

• Turn the dress right side out and make sure all pins have been removed.
• Trim any loose threads for a neat finish.
• Try on the dress and adjust as needed.

You now have a unique and comfortable t-shirt dress! Feel free to add your own creative touches, such as decorative elements or additional stitching. Enjoy wearing your new creation!

Sewing the dress

Step 1: Preparing the Fabric

Before you begin, it is important to wash and dry both the T-shirt and the fabric to ensure that any potential shrinking occurs before you start sewing. For the skirt of the dress, you will need to cut the fabric according to your desired length and style. If you want a circle skirt, you can follow the steps outlined in the sources, which involve some basic math to ensure that the waist hole of the skirt matches the width of the T-shirt. If you want a simpler skirt, you can cut the fabric straight across, about 1/2 inch down from where you want the skirt to connect to the shirt.

Step 2: Attaching the Skirt to the Top

Try on the T-shirt and decide where you want the skirt to attach, marking this spot with a pin. Then, measure about one more inch down to account for the seam allowance and cut the T-shirt off at that point. Place the T-shirt inside the skirt, with the raw edges matching up, and pin them together. Make sure that the front and back centers of both pieces are aligned. Sew the skirt to the top, using a stitch that will allow for some stretch, such as a zigzag or stretch stitch.

Step 3: Adding Elastic (Optional)

If you want to add more shape to the dress, you can attach elastic along the back waistline. Cut a piece of 1/4 inch elastic that is a few inches shorter than the width of the back waistline. Pin the elastic to the seam allowance at each side and in the center, and then sew it in place.

Step 4: Finishing Touches

Press the seam flat with an iron, using a damp dish towel if necessary to protect any printed design on the fabric. You can leave the bottom of the skirt raw if you are using a fabric that doesn't fray, or you can fold and hem the bottom for a more finished look. And that's it! You've successfully sewn a dress from an old T-shirt.

Frequently asked questions