T-shirt dress

We love re-purposing. What's more fun than making a whole new outfit from an old one?! Usually the honor goes to my old clothes that get converted to some form of the girls' outfits. But this time, we added a new element to one of Big Sister's t-shirts and made a t-shirt dress.

I found this long strip of fabric while rummaging through my scrap box. This a leftover piece from a dance costume I made a couple of years back. The dimension was perfect to be added on as a low skirt....so that's what we did.

Read on for my step-by-step on making this t-shirt dress....

Wedge Panel Flared Skirt

OK. Maybe my search phrases are bad...but I just couldn't find what this skirt is called. I modeled it after one of my own Gap skirts. So I am just naming it the Wedge Panel Flared Skirt...because that's what it is!

The type of material you make this with, changes the look of the skirt. I used a thick khaki denim and that made the skirt flare out a little stiff. If you use a lighter material, the flare will be more subdued...

Want to make one? Read on for my step-by-step including pattern making.

Simple Shirred Dress

Now that spring is here (here in Colorado, we had a teaser spring and then 2 days of snow! in MAY!!!), time to get the sundresses out. And finally step out in what you wear at home and not add on all those layers! So time to make some dresses.

I am starting this season with a very simple sundress. Remember when I said I am shir-crazy now....I meant it. Here is the how-to for a simple shirred dress.

If you need help shirring, refer to one of the tutorials below, depending on the type of machine you have.

• Shirring using a machine with a metal bobbin case
• Shirring using a drop-in bobbin machine

Read on for the step-by-step on the dress making...

Finishing Hems - Using folds and Bias Tapes

When a sewing project is almost done, all that's left is to finish the hems. The bottom hem, neckline and armholes (if sleeveless). There are many methods to go about this...based on the fabric and what you are comfortable with. Here are a few of my preferred methods for finishing hemlines...

• Simple single fold: Ideal for knits and selvage ends
• Finished single fold
• Pinked finish single fold
• Double fold
• Inside finish using single fold bias tape: Ideal for necklines, armholes and rounded bottom hems
• Outside finish using single fold bias tape: Ideal for necklines, armholes and rounded bottom hem
• Using simple bias tape: Ideal for necklines, armholes 
• Using double fold bias tape: Ideal for necklines, armholes and rounded bottom hems

Click on any of the above methods to skip to that section or read on to see them all...

Understanding bias grain and Making your own bias tape

You have probably seen the ribbon like strips of fabric right by the threads and zippers at your local fabric store and wondered what it is used for....Or you probably buy those ribbon like strips of fabric and know how to use them. They come in fixed widths, different folds, (which I will try to explain later here), and different colors...mostly solid. They have numerous uses (which I will again try and explain in a different post) and is kind of a must have for any level of sewing.

I used to buy these until I got bored of the solid color choices available and decided to use print fabric to make my own bias tape. There are again many ways to make them. This is one I have adapted and find it the easiest way to make bias tape.

Want to know more about bias tape...and make your own? Read on for my method of making bias tape...