Super easy dress

I am really excited to share this project with you! This is a dress that I have been making for my daughter for years. I have modified it as she has grown and will do my best to let you know what you will need for each size up to a girl's size 8- if the size you want isn't listed, let me know and I'll let you know what amount of fabric/cuts you will need. These are so easy to make, they take about 1 hour-uninterrupted ;) so you can make a few of 'em to match for Easter, pictures or just playing around during nap time. :)

The hair tie is a newer idea that I found a similar idea on another blog, but hers was for a pin and you had to sew the layers; like I said similar, but different. The tutorial for the hair tie is posted here.


Make sure to read through the directions first before beginning, if you have any questions let me know and I'll clarify. Some of the steps do not have pictures, because I was unable to capture it properly. I'm also assuming you know how to sew a little bit to do this project.

Alright enough writing... ready to make a dress like this?






Here are the supplies you will need:

1 t-shirt/onesie in child's size (long or short sleeved- I used long sleeved today, but have made it with short sleeves and tank tops for summer)

Coordinating fabric (amount will vary on size of dress- see chart below)

Size Chart/Yardage needed: **Note: this will make your skirt 1 solid color/print **
0-6 months: 1/2 yard
6-12 months: 2/3 yard
12-24 months:1 yard
2T-3T: 1 yard
4T-5T: 1 1/4 yards
6-6x: 1 1/3 yards
7-8: 1 1/3 yards



Not pictured:
Sewing machine

Scissors or rotary cutter

Cutting mat (optional but used if you have rotary cutter)

Measuring tape/ruler/Shape cut- plastic guided cut ruler (not sure the technical name, but this is what I used- see photos below)

Iron

Here we go!! :)

Step 1: Cut your fabric for correct size listed below. Save your remnants for hair tie, if desired. **Note: I usually cut the widths 7", 8", 8", 10, 10" , etc. first the entire width of the fabric along the length of the fabric and then trim them to size. **

Size Chart/Layer width & length and amount needed of each:
0-6 months: (1) 2"x 25", (2) 3" x 22", (2) 5" x 24"
6-12 months: (1) 3"x 25", (2) 4" x 22", (2) 6" x 24"
12-24 months:(1) 4"x 25", (2) 5" x 22", (2) 7" x 24"
2T-3T: (1) 5"x 25", (2) 6" x 22", (2) 8" x 24"
4T-5T: (1) 6"x 25", (2) 7" x 22", (2) 9" x 24"
6-6x: (1) 7"x 25", (2) 8" x 22", (2) 10" x 24"
7-8: (1) 8"x 25", (2) 9" x 22", (2) 11" x 24"





You will end up with 5 rectangles when completed: (1) small/top layer, (2) medium/middle layer and (2) large/bottom layer.

Step 2: Sew with 1/2" seam the (2) medium pieces (short sides) together to make (1) long continuous piece.

I am making a size 6-6x dress, the length of this piece is now 8" x 51". **Actual length will vary due to size of dress.**

Step 3: Sew with 1/2" seam the (2) large pieces (short sides) together to make (1) long continuous piece.

I am making a size 6-6x dress, the length of this piece is now 10" x 77". **Actual length will vary due to size of dress.**

Step 4: Prepare to cut your shirt. Read chart below photo before proceeding to Step 5.

Size Chart/ length needed:
0-6 months: 4"

6-12 months: 5"

12-24 months: 6"

2T-3T: 7"

4T-5T: 8"

6-6x: 9"

7-8: 10"

Step 5: From top of shoulder, measure down (from chart above) length and cut shirt. Set shirt aside for Step 12. *Save remnant for hair tie, if desired. **

Step 6: Take your largest width rectangle (10" in my case) and your medium width rectangle (8" in my case). Line up your width edges as shown below. Pin in place. Repeat for opposite end.

Step 7: Pleat your longer/bottom layer to the medium/middle layer. (This will make the lower part of your skirt.) Pin in place. Sew with 1/2" seams.

Step 8: Take your smallest width rectangle (7" in my case) and your medium width rectangle (8" in my case). Line up your width edges as shown below. Pin in place. Repeat for opposite end.

Step 9: Pleat your medium/middle layer to the small/top layer. (This will make the upper part of your skirt.) Pin in place. Sew with 1/2" seams.

Step 10: Fold skirt in half, pin in place. See photo below for clarification.

Step 11: Sew edge of skirt. You should now see what your skirt to the dress will look like. :)

Step 12: Take your t-shirt from Step 5, and place neck first into your skirt. **Note: The bottom of your shirt is going to be sewn to the top of your skirt. ** See photos below for clarification.

Step 13: Pleat your small/top layer to the t-shirt or onesie. (This will make the upper part of your skirt.) Pin in place. Sew with 1/2" seams.

Step 14: Turn dress right side out. Hem and pin bottom layer to desired length. Iron to hold crease.

Step 15: Sew bottom hem.

That's it! :)

*******

You can make this with 2 different colors of fabric with a coordinating fabric in the middle; the yardage chart for that is below. You make the dress exactly the same way, except your fabrics are different colors.

Two-color Option:
Size Chart/Yardage needed (top/bottom, middle): **Note: this will make your skirt different colors: top and bottom layer match with different/coordinating print for middle layer **

0-6 months: 1/3 yard, 1/6 yard
6-12 months: 1/2 yard, 1/3 yard
12-24 months: 1/2 yard, 1/3 yard
2T-3T: 2/3 yard, 1/3 yard
4T-5T: 2/3 yard, 1/2 yard
6-6x: 1 yard, 1/2 yard
7-8: 1 yard, 1/2 yard

Matching hair tie

Now that you have a dress, here's a cute hair tie to make and match your creation! :)

This is how to make the hair tie to match your Super Easy Dress. :)

Supplies:

Fabric scraps from the dress (t-shirt & cotton print)

1 rubber elastic band

Scrap of craft felt (about the size of a half dollar)

3 cookie cutters (I bought mine at Jo-Anns; they came in a package of 6 for $1.99; if you don't have the cookie cutters, you only need 3 of the same shapes that are small, medium and large)

Not pictured:

Hot glue gun (I used a low-temp one for this project)

Pins

Scissors

Step 1: Fold one of your fabric scraps (this will be used for your largest size shape) into fourths.

See photos below for any clarification.

Step 2: Repeat Step 1 for other fabric scraps. You should have 3 squares that are large enough for your large, medium and small shape.

Step 3: Trace your shape onto your fabric with a pen.



Step 4: Cut out each of your shapes. Note: it is easier to cut all 4 shapes when the layers are pinned together. You won't have to cut each shape out 4 times. :)

Step 5: Fold each of your shapes into fourths. See photo below for clarification.

Step 6: Place a drop of glue near the center of each of the fourths to hold its shape.

Step 7: Arrange your shapes, to where it looks like the original "whole" shape. Note: I left mine spaced apart so you could see what I mean.

Step 7: Cut your scrap of craft felt into a circle. Approximately the size of a half dollar.

Step 8: Place a drop of glue into the center of the circle, and arrange your large shapes with no spaces between them. See photos below for clarification.

Step 9: Place a drop of glue into the center of the circle, and arrange your medium shapes with no spaces between them, rotate the shapes 90 degrees; so you won't have a space between each seam and layer, and have it look like it is four separate pieces. See photo below for clarification.

Step 10: Place a drop of glue into the center of the circle, and arrange your smallest shapes with no spaces between them; rotate the shapes 90 degrees so their seams line up with the larger shapes below. See photos below for clarification. (Sorry the photo is so dark, but you can see what I'm trying to say best in this photo as far as the rotation goes.)

Step 11: Use another scrap of your middle layer fabric and make a knot. Trim the ends off.

Step 12: Place a large dot of hot glue into the center of your shape, place knot from Step 11 on it and press in place.

Step 13: Turn over shape, place a large drop of glue in center and place rubber elastic band in glue. Rotate to have glue cover rubber elastic band completely. Note: let glue completely cool and dry before putting in hair. I don't think that anyone would put this in their hair while still setting, the low-temp glue gun takes about 10 minutes to completely cool.

That's it! :)