My daughter asked me to do 2 weeks of babysitting my grandchildren while she transitioned childcare. For the next two weeks I have my granddaughter, Zare, (5 years old) and my grandson, Carter (almost 2 years old.) This is only my second day and I am exhausted. I have forgotten how much it takes to chase after 2 kids especially an active almost 2 year old.
Today I put Carter down for a nap and I decided I could use some R & R. My idea of a good time is sewing! Sela, my daughter, had mentioned Carter needed new shorts so I decided to recycle some old t-shirts into shorts for him. Zare grabbed up one of the shirts and started clowning around. “Grandma, make me a dress. This would be so pretty.”
Look! how pretty! This would make a great dress
Grandma, just think how pretty it will be!
I’ll model it.
It would be so pretty!
She was so irresistible that I gave up my plans of making Carter shorts and fashioned a dress out of the t-shirt she was prancing around in.
No time to find a pattern or scour the internet for the perfect idea. Carter would be up soon. The easiest fastest dress to make from the T-shirt is the good old fashioned pillowcase dress.
I had everything I needed on hand, Zare had already decided on the t-shirt. I had coordinating thread and ribbon.
Step one The first thing I needed to do was deconstruct the t-shirt. I would use the original hem and try to retain as much of the length of the t-shirt. The shirt also had a cute graphic of palm trees that I wanted to save. I cut off the sleeves. (i put them aside for another day and another project.) I then needed to cut straight across right under the neckline.
A little deconstruction is necessary. Let’s lose the sleeves
Cut straight across just below the neckline
Step two Determine how much of an arm hole opening you are going to need. I did not want a gap and I wanted it to fit comfortably. I measured down 7 inches and the sewed a seam from the bottom of the opening to that point tapering in as I sewed.
Step three Finish off the armhole by making a 1/4 inch seam. First, turn under a quarter inch, then turn it under a quarter inch again. Stitch 1/8 inch in from the edge.
Step three Make a casing on the top edge for the ribbon. Turn under a quarter inch and then turn under 1/2 inch again. Use a 1/8 inch allowance.
Step four Measure the ribbon, The ribbon will gather up the front and back of the dress and tie up at the top of the shoulders for the closure. Stitch the ribbon down at both ends. This will hold the gathers in place and stop it from come out and getting lost.
Since we left the original hem in place our little pillowcase dress is done. The transformation from t-shirt to dress took just long enough for a 5 year-old’s attention span and short enough to fit into a toddler’s nap routine.
transformed into a pillowcase dress. ket’s try it on for minor adjustments.
Zare loved the impromptu dress. She refused to take it off the rest of the day. Poor Carter is still without new shorts. They will have to wait for another nap-time.
I think the dress is pretty good for an impromptu sew — unplanned and using what I had on hand. It made a 5 year-old happy and I had a lot of fun watching modeling Zare’s modeling antics.
Jennifer S. says
When my parents babysit for my kids they say they have to nap when the boys nap because they are so exhausted. 🙂 Anyway, your granddaughter is sooo adorable, and I love the little dress you made for her! I’m amazed that you can make something like that so quickly. You really need to put together an introduction to sewing class and share your skills with the rest of us.
Maria Perez says
Jennifer, this little dress is called a pillowcase dress. It has been around for a hundred or more years. You really do make it out of a pillowcase. You use the hem of the pillowcase for the hem of the dress, cut off the bottom seam, cut in armholes, put in a casing for the ribbon at the neck, and you are done.
I’m going to blog about those shorts I was supposed to be making for my grandson soon. Come back and read all about it. It is a quick, easy project you could see for your boys.
Sela G says
This is fun and a great quick throw on dress for my daughter. Thanks Mom!
Maria Perez says
That little girl is a ham and she can certainly mug it up for the camera. But you just gotta love ’em!
Mary Geisen says
The dress is so adorable. Sewing is not my talent at all but I admire people who are good at it. Thank you for sharing this at The Weekend Brew.
Maria Perez says
Mary, Huh! And I always say that sewing is my super power. It is a craft I truly love. Thanks for stopping by. You throw a super party.
Lowanda J says
Oh my gosh, this dress is adorable and so is your granddaughter. I wish I could sew. Didn’t do well in that department in middle school. I’m looking at this and thinking what can I send you to make me a big girl’s dress. LOL… love this!!
Maria Perez says
Lawanda, it is time to give sewing another try. Patterns, fabric and techniques have improved a lot over the years. Take a sewing class and see if you would like. Now you have me thinking about making a big girl dress for my older granddaughters. Maybe out of a men’s shirt…
Thanks for stopping by and I hope you keep reading.
Nina Lewis says
The dress turned out really pretty — and your granddaughter is so cute in it!! Thanks for sharing at my Grandma Ideas link up.
Maria Perez says
Nina, that girl is 110% personality. That day she was playing at being a model. She is so imaginative. Thanks for commenting. I love to know people are reading
Lori says
Love this and how fun to get to watch your grands!
Maria Perez says
Lori, I love having my grandbabies but at this age they are exhausting. By the second week I was putting them down when I needed the nap instead of when they were ready. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.
Cathy Crosson says
So cute! Great idea! Saw your post over @ Behind the Seams Sewing.
Maria Perez says
Cathy, thanks for stopping by.
Denise Wright says
Oh my goodness that is adorable! It helps that you have such a beautiful model! (found you on Marvelous Mondays)
Maria Perez says
Thank you. That little girl just loves the camera and being the center of attention.
Behind the Seams Sew says
Oh that girl has great vision to know that t-shirt would make a pretty dress. And it is a pretty dress on a beautiful little girl. Thanks so much for linking up to the #StitchItBlogItShareIt Link Party!
Maria Perez says
I’m not sure if it’s vision or observation. I do service for others sewing every month and making pillowcase dress for Little Dresses for Africa (http://www.littledressesforafrica.org/blog/) is just one I do each year. I have learned over the years of doing this that I can get a great dress with a t-shirt as well as a pillowcase.
Each month I rotate the cause I sew for. I love Little Dresses for Africa but my favorite is Quilts of Valor. That is my service project for July.
Julia Nyanyo says
Good work Grandma! How could you have said no though? I probably would have given her the ribbon to use as a belt and said "there you go!" Yours is SO much better!
Maria Perez says
Julia, but it starts a precedent. Now all the granddaughters are clamoring for Grandma to make them a dress. My 15 year old granddaughter brought me a Hawaiian print men’s shirt and want me to make her a sun top out of it. I think that will be my next project.
Mary G says
Very Cute! Thanks for sharing on Teach Me Tuesday
Maria Perez says
Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment, Mary.
Karen Bell says
Oh wow, so quick! That’s a fab little dress and she looks so pleased with it too.
Thanks for linking #LetKidsBeKids
Maria Perez says
This is a very fast and easy way to whip up a dress. I’m looking forward ot the next party. Thanks for stopping by.
Latisha says
I love this post. I love this dress. It is so cute. Zare is such a sweet little five year old girl. Oh how I wish I could sew. I would love to be able to sew my daughter’s doll clothes. Oh how blessed to be a mother and grandmother. Have a great weekend, and truly, thanks so much for sharing with TGI Saturdays. Hope to see you again this weekend.
Maria Perez says
Latisha,
You are so right! Having grandchildren is a great blessing and great joy in my life. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. I am so glad you enjoyed the post.
Terri Presser says
What a great dress, and you have shared wonderful inspiration with us. Thank for sharing at Good Morning Mondays. Blessings
Maria Perez says
Terri,
Thanks for stopping by. I am looking forward to the next Monday Morning party.
jbmumofone says
Thanks so much for sharing with the #pinitparty. So clever and she looks beautiful in it.
Maria Perez says
Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to make a comment.
Joy McElroy says
The dress is adorable and so is Miss Zare!! My hat is OFF to you, dear lady, for taking care of the little ones for that length of time! We love our grands! 🙂 Thank you for sharing your T Shirt dress and cuties with us at Treasure Box Tuesday! Pinned!
Maria Perez says
Joy, believe me I will be careful to accept the job again for that length of time. They are adorable but exhausting. We did have a blast though for the two weeks I watched them. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.
Lou Lou Girls says
This looks so amazing! Pinned and tweeted! Thanks for being a part of our party. I hope to see you, tonight at 7 pm. Lou Lou Girls
Maria Perez says
Thank you. And thanks for stopping by.
Gail@Purple Hues and Me says
Zare is a cutie pie and the dress is adorable! I’m visiting from The Inspiration Board and your post bought back memories of sewing for my niece. I don’t have any grandkids but I took care of my niece and I loved making clothes for her when she stayed with me. You did a fabulous job putting the dress together. Very easy and yet so stylish!
Maria Perez says
Thank you, Gail. It is fun to sew for little girls. I am afraid it is not as easy sewing for boys. I have 8 grandchildren and the breakdown is 4 and 4. I do have a few things I make for the boys and they always love it when I sew for them
Lindi says
I love how quickly and easily you made this!! And you have a gorgeous model to show it off for you too 🙂
Maria Perez says
Thank you, Linda. Thank little girl is a real diva. She loves being the "star."
Crochet Hooks says
what a little cutie!! and such modeling skills - looks like she will go far! 🙂
Love the tute, so easy to do, so easy to customize and looks totally fab! thanks for sharing at the creative challenge!
Maria Perez says
Thanks for the kind words. The dress is very easy to whip up.
Lisa Hall says
Oh goodness! This is so cute and your Granddaughter is adorable! About a year ago I tried to make an "upcycled/recycled" dress for my Granddaugher from a mens dress shirt, and it was supposed to turn out something like yours did…but it ended up being a "craft fail" for me. I am going to try and make a T-shirt version like you did and follow your instructions.
Thanks for sharing this! 🙂
Maria Perez says
Lisa, I hope this works out for you. Send me a picture when you’re done. But, humm, now you have me thinking…What can I do with a men’s dress shirt?
feri says
i will try too
Maria Perez says
Thank you, Feri.
Gail Barabasz says
Such a cutie. Thank you for the tutorial