My first tutorial! T-shirt dress

Today, I met my inner Marissa Lynch (of New Dress a Day fame). I decided to remake a couple of too-small garments belonging to my daughter. Read on to see what I came up with! I have never before written a full tutorial so this will probably be a little choppy, but here goes. My daughter had this dress which was way too short on her and getting too tight in the arms, but she really loved it and it was super comfy because it's made from t-shirt material...add to that, she had a shirt which she loved which was getting too tight all around...the colors coordinated pretty well so I decided to see what I could do to put the two together and come up with a wearable item--hopefully.

See the belly sticking out?

Too short and arms too tight.

First, I cut off the dress just below the waistline (this had a high waist or I would have cut above the waistline to make the finished product plenty long).

Off come the sleeves--since they are too tight anyway.

Snagged a little more of the dress material to sew into the sides of the shirt so the finished dress would not be too tight.

Cutting seams out of the sides of the shirt.

Pinning the pieces from the dress into the sides of shirt (these were a little long...I trimmed them later).

I took the original sleeves of the dress and created a little cap sleeve ruffle with them. I was afraid this part would not turn out well at all, but I liked it when I was finished.

Sewing on the cap sleeve.

Sewing down the sides.

Sewing the shirt and skirt together. (just turn one or the other inside out, and put the other piece right side out inside of the inside out piece--adding gathers where needed to make them fit together right--and sew together, then turn right side out.) I also added a neck ruffle and trim, but forgot to take pictures of the process.

Finished product! The ruffles look a bit off to me, and I wound up trimming a bit more off her sleeve ruffles after this picture was taken, but you can see--she loves it!

Not sure why she is winking, but I thought it was cute, and you can see a bit more of the pieces I added in on the sides.

Well, there it is, my first tutorial. Hope I didn't butcher too badly what I was trying to say/show. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask, and thanks for coming along for the (bumpy) ride today! (Also, check back often as I am planning to attempt to make 3 items per week and blog about each--totally wish I had time for a project a day...just not happening right now lol!)

Here are the places I am linking up today:



My Newest Endeavor

I recently decided that I am never going to have enough "stuff" made up to fill a booth at a local flea market/ consignment shop so instead I have taken pictures of the things I have made up, and posted them on Facebook where my friends and family can take a look and purchase if they wish. My business facebook page is http://www.facebook.com/pages/Scrappy-Bag-Lady/197609710271550. I am making Sock Bunnies for Easter, and Rag Rugs, Purses and Hot/Cold Packs. Of course, much more to come, but for now I think that covers what I have listed. I also make Caprisun bags, Dog Chew toys, Coasters, Quilts, and Softies...maybe a few other things I can't think of right now.

Many of my products are made from recycled materials. I use old t-shirts, jeans, towels, bed sheets, new socks, new scraps left over from other projects; anything I can get my hands on. (Ok, so someday when I'm not a full-time student, I may get enough stuff to fill a small booth, but until then, this blog and facebook...and maybe Etsy will be my means of selling my items.)

Also as a side-note...once Summer starts and I am able to make the time for sewing, I plan to channel Marissa Lynch's idea from New Dress a Day, and attempt to make myself some new clothing from some things I have laying around. (I probably won't be doing this daily, but maybe New Dress a Week.) Hopefully I will create enough items to do a few give-aways as well. Looking forward to Summer!