T-shirt refashion–Toddler Dress


Use an adult plain tee and turn it into a DIY adorable toddler's ruffle dress. Also, enter to win one for yourself
I have a whole slew of these all white shirts. I can’t wait to show you everything that I have made and will be making with them! Today’s may be one of my favorite, but I’m totally sad. Because although I made it to fit Baby Girl Barker, I totally did it wrong and it’s too small for her.
Supplies:

  • 1 size small adult t-shirt
  • correct size top/dress that fits your toddler
  • thread (either matching or contrasting)
  • Contrasting fabric
    • one 4 inch strip double the length around of your dress (measure around the bottom of your dress and times it by 2)
    • one 2 inch strip about 24 inches long

So, at the bottom of the tutorial I will be giving it away. If you want to win this dress (it’ll fit approx. 18-24 months, her belly is just too big!) you can enter below. *Giveaway Closed
Use an adult plain tee and turn it into a DIY adorable toddler's ruffle dress. Also, enter to win one for yourself
So I started with a size small adult white tee. I took a top of Baby Girl Barker’s and laid it on top, matching the shoulder seams. Because the neck of the size small adult top is about the same as the opening for Baby Girl Barker’s top I am using it as is!
Use an adult plain tee and turn it into a DIY adorable toddler's ruffle dress. Also, enter to win one for yourself
I first traced one of the sides with a piece of chalk (easy to wipe back off!), up to the armpit to get the shape, size, and length of the top. I created a slight curve for the armhole because I wanted it to be a tank top instead of a sleeved top. (stay tuned for how to add existing sleeves to this in another tutorial) Then I folded the shirt in half and cut 1/4 inch to the outside of that mark for seam allowance (this is what I messed up on mine, I cut right on the line)
Use an adult plain tee and turn it into a DIY adorable toddler's ruffle dress. Also, enter to win one for yourself
Once you have it cut, turn it inside out and stitch from the armpit to the bottom of the shirt using a 1/4 inch seam.

Now you need a contrasting fabric and you are going to make both a ruffle around the bottom as well as a bias tape for the arm holes.
Use an adult plain tee and turn it into a DIY adorable toddler's ruffle dress. Also, enter to win one for yourself
To make the ruffle, you will cut a 3-4 inch strip of fabric (depending on how tall you want the ruffle). Then fold and iron down 1/4 inch all the way down one side, then fold that same side over another 1/4 inch. This will hide the raw edge.

Tip: To keep it a crisp fold, spray with water using a spray bottle. I always do this instead of using starch or other fabric stiffener.

Then using a zig zag stitch, sew as close to the inner fold as possible. Repeat the above on the second side, but do not zig-zag stitch it.
To make the bias tape you will cut a 2 inch strip and repeat the 1/4 inch fold on each side. But you will not do it a second time. Instead once both sides are folded over you will fold the whole thing in half, making sure the creases are stiff and will hold in place.
Use an adult plain tee and turn it into a DIY adorable toddler's ruffle dress. Also, enter to win one for yourself
Now back to the ruffle. You will now take the un-sewn side and run it thru a straight stitch (on the edge of the inner fold) with a tight tension (I use my machine on a 9) and a long stitch length (I use my machine on a 5). This will ruffle the fabric for you. Do a back stitch at the beginning of the ruffle, but NOT the end. Make sure to leave a LONG tail of thread at the end. Now, measure your ruffle up to the dress where you are going to sew it.
Use an adult plain tee and turn it into a DIY adorable toddler's ruffle dress. Also, enter to win one for yourself
Stretch the tail end of the fabric out until you match the width of the dress. Now tie both tail ends into a double knot so you will not stretch it any more. From here you can spread out your ruffling to be even from one side to the other.

Now lay it so the bottom of the ruffle hits the bottom of the dress. Pin in place and sew with a zig-zag stitch all the way around, overlapping 1/4 inch at the ends.
Use an adult plain tee and turn it into a DIY adorable toddler's ruffle dress. Also, enter to win one for yourself
Cut the bottom off of the white t-shirt about 2 inches above the bottom. Then repeat the ruffling technique all the way around this circle, making sure to leave a LONG tail at the end so you can stretch it out to match the width of the dress.
Use an adult plain tee and turn it into a DIY adorable toddler's ruffle dress. Also, enter to win one for yourself
Now turn the ruffle inside out and place it upside down on the outside of the dress; pin in place. Make sure to push the top ruffle up as well so you don’t accidently sew it down. Attach the ruffle using a zig-zag stitch all the way around.
Fold and iron both ruffles back down.
Use an adult plain tee and turn it into a DIY adorable toddler's ruffle dress. Also, enter to win one for yourself
Now it’s time to put the bias tape around the arm holes. This is a super simple way to cover an unfinished edge. You will open up the bias tape and stick the shirt fabric inside up to the fold. One half of the bias tape will be on the outside of the fabric, the other side will be inside.
Use an adult plain tee and turn it into a DIY adorable toddler's ruffle dress. Also, enter to win one for yourself
Pin it in place all the way around. Take the back end and fold inside about 1/4 inch to create a clean and finished edge. Then overlap that side over the front of the bias tape that is already pinned to the shirt.
Stitch on the inside using a zig-zag stitch, as close to the edge as you can.
Trim all the threads and you are DONE!!!
Use an adult plain tee and turn it into a DIY adorable toddler's ruffle dress. Also, enter to win one for yourself

Now for the giveaway. You can win THAT dress!! Enter below: *Giveaway Closed

  
 

If you use one of my tutorials, I’d love to see. Send me a link or picture to
Vanessa {at} OurThriftyIdeas.com
I link up here

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Comments

  1. I know someone who would love that!

  2. Super cute! I think I’ll be making a few for Kinleigh! Too bad the one you made woke fit her either… 🙁 I’d totally love to have it!

  3. I don’t even know how to turn on my sewing machine! This is adorable

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