Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Tutorial~Tunic Dress for a Little Girl~


I found a purplish-plum color t-shirt at the sales rack in Target the other day, it was $2. I went through my fabric stash, and picked this fabric to make a tunic dress. Well, I wanted to make a dress, but the fabric I had wasn't a whole lot. I thought she could wear this with tights or with pants.

I worked on this tutorial over that last few weeks while I worked on other projects. I thought I took more pictures to explain things better, but I didn't. If there are some areas that you have a hard time understanding, I am sorry. If you need to see how to made the ruffles, please go here, to see the instructions. That might help a little.

{You will need}


One T-shirt

Fabric(if you have 3/4 yd, you should have enough to make this)

Matching Thread(Because the t-shirt and the fabric are such contrasting colors, I had to use two diffrent color threads. If you don't want to do that, I advise you to pick a top and fabric that are somewhat similar.)

{How To}

~The Top~

1. From the fabric cut a 2 1/2" Wide X 44" Long strip. Cut it to three equal pieces and fold the strips right sides together in half and sew using 1/4" seam allowance.

2. Turn the strips inside out. Fold the strips so that the seam will come to the one side and press with an iron. Also, fold in both ends and press.


3. Using the largest setting on your sewing machine, make a ruffle. Sew the ruffle onto the middle of the T-shirt.


4. Repeat the process and add more rulles on both sides(Mine are 1 1/2" a part).


5. Cut 2 1/2" off from bottom of the T-shirt.(or more, if you would prefer a higher waist)


6. From the T-shirt strips, cut two 3/4" X 12 1/2" strips. (Save the rest if you want to make a hair accessory later).


7. Make ruffles and sew them on between the fabric ruffles.



~Skirt~

1. Cut one 5" by the wideth of the fabric strip, cut in half to make it into two pieces. (These will be the top portion of the skirt). Then, cut two pieces of 6" X 36" strips. (These will be the bottom portion of the skirt).

Do zig-zag or use a serger to finish both sides of the strips. With the right sides together, sew both sides and make a big loop.

2. Start with bottom skirt, with the largest setting, sew two lines all around. Pull both threads to gather the fabric. Spread the gather evenly for better results. Gather the fabric to fit the width of the top skirt.



3. Attach the top and the bottom skirt. Pin them together first, and make sure the side seams match up, then sew. After you have attached them, turn the fabric inside out and press the seam. Using 1/8" seam sew on the right side of the fabric.



4. Repeat the process for the top edge of the skirt, then attach it to the shirt. Since I still haven't practiced using my serger (shame on me!), I ironed 1/2" wide strips of interfacing on the wrong side of the t-shirt to prevent it from getting wavy.


~Finish~

After sewing the top and the skirt, turn the dress inside out and sew right side of the t-shirt usign 1/8" seam.


For the hem, I just did a narrow hem since I did't have that much fabric to work with. To do a narrow hem, fold the raw edge 1/4" twice then sew. It is a rather casual look, but I thought it would be ok.

I used leftover pieces and made a matching headband. It is all done, all you need to do is to let your loved one enjoy it.




That's what I did...


26 comments :

  1. Absolutely Adorable! I have my first Granddaughter on the way so I have been looking for all kinds of new ideas in children's clothing!!
    Thank~You!
    Nancy
    www.coeurdalenegifts.com
    coeurdalenegifts.blogspot.com

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  2. Beautiful girl with you pretty dress!

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  3. Love it! Very creative, beautiful, and frugal!

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  4. so lovely for my little princesse
    thank you ^.^
    Aldina

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  5. That is so pretty. Pretty girl, too.

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  6. I think she likes it if the big smile on her face is any indication! Thanks for such a great tutorial! The matching headband really completes the adorableness of it all.

    http://minivanlife.wordpress.com

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  7. Too cute!!! I love the matching headband too.

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  8. Adorable! I love your creativity and want to try this project. Thank you for sharing the tutorial!

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  9. She is so lucky to have such a talented Mommy! Nice job :)

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  10. Can't wait to try it out-hopefully my version will be half as cute as yours.

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  11. you seriously are amazing and your lil girl is so so cute! thanks for the great tutorial!

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  12. It is so beautiful. Thank you for the tutorial.

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  13. This is such a pretty dress!! I linked to your tutorial at Craft Gossip Sewing:
    http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-little-girls-tunic-dress/2010/02/25/

    --Anne

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  14. Love the dress and what a little sweetie wearing it.Great job.

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  15. First...great tutorial, love it. Second you are the second Sachiko I have known, my boss was from Japan as well.
    You have a great little spot on the web here, fabulous ideas!

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  16. I love this! I want to try it! You are amazing!

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  17. I am in the middle of turning a dozen school t-shirts into dresses for a fundraiser and this really helps! Have you used a gathering foot? Also what is the reason for two basting stitches versus one?

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  18. I am enjoying all of your wonderful tutorials so much!

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  19. I just found your blog through pinterest. This is sooo cute! I will have to make some for my girls -- after I spend a few hours browsing through your terrific blog! Thanks for sharing your talent with us.

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  20. excelente tus trabajos gracias por compartir!!!!

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  21. excelente tus trabajos gracias por compartir!!!!

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