Mom, thank you for letting me be apart of your "craft room," watching and eagerly awaiting the newest treasure you made. I wish I had more of the dresses you so lovingly created for me, I show them off often, waiting for the day my daughters can wear them. My fondest childhood memories, that suddenly bring a smile to my face when I so desperately miss you and my family, are filled with hot glue guns, the smell of rose popuri, the scratchiness of tulle, the warmth of fresh press fabric, the constant drumming of a sewing machine and you. Your beauty, your voice, and your infectious smile that makes me smile, I can remember as clear as day. (Yes even when I was pouting I was smiling on the inside.) Thank you for being patient, kind, hopeful, loving, and believing I can do anything I think of. This dress was one of those few times I had your talent to look at something and make it. Thank you with all my heart.
Onto Fred, today Lily is suppose to wear something red for her Dr. Suess read across America week. Her teacher has chosen "Fox in Socks." A wonderful children's book (very hard to read though). Lily doesn't really have very much red things. I showed her the 3 shirts she has and told her she could wear one for Friday. Her reply was she wish she had a red dress but that was okay she would wear one of the shirts. I asked if she wanted me to buy her a dress and she said, "No mommy, that's okay. I don't need a red dress for just one Friday. You can buy something for you." *Heart-breakingly sweet* While I was running my errands I drove past a thrift store called Value Village. I LOVE this thrift store. It couldn't hurt to look, right? As I approached the door I notice a sign "half off all items except new ones." Now being the bargain huntress that I am HOW can I not look now? After carefully examining most of the girls clothes I did not found a red dress in Lily's size. I would not be despaired. I'll just take a men's shirt and turn it into a dress. I have seen plenty of upcycled things on etsy and pinterest. This is where I met Fred. An extra-large, Puritan, long sleeved, button down shirt for $4.50 because of the sale he was $2.25. He will become Lily's new dress.
You will need:
a shirt that fits your child as a template
a men's button down shirt (I went with a XL)
1/2 yard of contrast fabric (this is optional)
2 elastic pieces 3/4 in wide by 11 in long. More or less might be needed. Measure the length from right above armpit front to right above the armpit in the back.
measuring tape
scissors
sewing machine
matching thread
iron
water (stay hydrated!)
Since my Lily is at school I will use one of her shirts as a template. Measure the shirt just under the sleeves. My measurement was 26. Now I want to add a 1 1/2 inches for seam allowances and just a little wiggle room. Lily's total dress length from her underarm is 21 inches long this should hit her right at the knee.
1) Remove any pockets. Turn the shirt over along the back of men's button shirts there is a seam along the top running horizontally, cut the shirt close to this seam. Cut the sleeves off. Remove the collar. I do keep the shirt buttoned up the whole time. (You can barely see the seam in this photo)
2) The back of the shirt will become the front of the dress. Remember that top of the shirt with the horizontal seam that I told you to cut? From that piece cut the front part of the bodice. My piece is 13 3/4 inches long by 3 inches high. I use this as a template to cut the back piece of the bodice. I use a total of 3/4 inch when I make my finished edges. So I when I cut the back part of the bodice I want to make sure I leave enough room above the button to make a finished seam. Sew this finished edge now.
3) I am going to make a flutter sleeve for my dress. So I am going to make a straight cut and keep the curved edge. I can't really tell you how wide the strap needs to be but my measurement along the white line was 2 inches.
4) Take the remaining body of the shirt and cut it into a rectangle, this will be the skirt portion of the dress. Mine was 16 inches long. If you like the curved bottom that most shirts have it is okay to keep it. I wanted to add a ruffle on the bottom so I made the bottom straight.
5) Optional piece #1: Cut a 8 inch X 2 inch piece of fabric. You can use part of the sleeve but I used some of my contrast fabric. This I used in between the sleeves along the bodice.
Option piece #2: Cut 2 rectangles that measure 4 inches by 45 inches. This will be the ruffles on the bottom
Option piece #3: Use any pockets from the men's shirt as a template. now I wasn't planning on making pockets so I didn't take any photos of them.
These pieces can be made out of a contrast material.
Sewing:
1) Drink some water. Go to the bathroom. Eat before you start. Make sure any children are occupied, feed, and or sleeping. Just all the little things that might stop your progress.
2) Cut out all pieces and if you have a Serger sewing machine serge all edges. If you don't have a Serger you can sew a zig zag stitch along all edges (or leave them raw it is really up to you)
3) If you are adding the ruffle on the bodice make a finished seam along the top and gather the bottom edge.
4) Find the middle of the bodice and the middle of the ruffle. Sew the ruffle to the bodice.
5) Sew the back of the bodice and the front of the bodice at side seams.
6) Press the curved edge of the sleeve and sew to make a seam. On the straight edge make a 1 inch casing for the elastic.
7) Pull the elastic through the casing. Place the bodice on top of the shirt you are using for a template. Pin the sleeves in place. Mark where the sleeves will go.
8) Make a men along the bottom of the ruffle, if you are making one and attach it to the bottom of the skirt portion of the dress.
9) Gather the top of the skirt and pin it to the bodice. I normally refuse the gather and just use my Serger but on this step I suggest gathering. Sew skirt to bodice.
10) Since I only took one picture of the pockets it will be a little hard to visualize. I cut 2 pockets using the shirt pocket as a template. I also cut 2 pieces of fabric the same width of the pockets and about 2 inches tall. I attached this to the top of the pocket and finished all sides before I sewed it to the dress. At this point I suggest trying the dress on and making sure the sleeves and pockets are where you want them to be. Pin pockets and sleeves in place.
Carefully take off the dress and attach the sleeves and pockets to the dress. Ta-dah! It is FINISHED!!!! I really think since I forget to take pictures I should just do videos but I don't know how to edit videos.... Wow total fail. I hope you were able to follow along. Hopefully my next sewing project will be easier to understand and follow.
If there is anything you would like to see made leave me a comment. If I can make it I'll post a tutorial. Tune in next time same Ronnie place!
......Again so serious and no humor..... What's happened to Ronnie?
