Homewearable-diyT SHIRT DRESS DIY

T SHIRT DRESS DIY

If a basic T shirt is a must have for any wardrobe, then a basic T shirt dress is a must have for Summer.

This simple DIY tutorial will show you how to turn a basic t shirt into a cute Summer dress.T Shirt Dress DIY

VIEW DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS >

To see step by step instructions and photos click here.

What youll need to make your T Shirt Dress DIY:

  1. 1 T Shirt in your size (try to find one thats a little long, I found mine at Old Navy)
  2. 1 T Shirt at least 2 sizes larger
  3. Scissors
  4. Tape measure
  5. Pins
  6. Sewing machine

Supplies For Your T Shirt Dress DIY
Step 1
Take your larger T shirt and lay it flat on a table, measure how long you want your skirt to be, mark it and cut your shirt straight across.
Since the T shirt that I used for the body of my dress was a bit long I only needed to make my skirt 9 inches and I was able to cut a 2nd strip the same length to add more gathers to the skirt.How to Make A T Shirt Dress

Step 2
Cut open the side seams on both strips that you will be using for your skirt.DIY Tutorial for T Shirt Dress

Step 3
Pin and sew a hem in your 2nd strip of fabric that you will be using for your skirt, use the existing hem for as much of your skirt as you can.
Sew your strips together.DIY Fashion T Shirt Dress

Step 4
Sew 2 parallel stitch lines along the cut edge of your skirt. Use a big stitch so they will be easy to gather.
Pull the bobbin threads and gather your skirt.T Shirt Dress TutorialT Shirt Dress How to

Step 5
Lay out your top T shirt flat on a table and place your skirt (inside out and upside down) on top. Very carefully adjust your gathers so they are even all the way around and pin.
Sew your skirt to your T shirt. I recommend using a stretch stitch on your machine if you have one, otherwise use a very small stitch.T Shirt Dress DIY TutorialT Shirt Dress Fashion DIY Tutorial

As the weather heats up its so nice to just throw on a comfortable dress, some cute shoes, your favorite jewelry and youre out the door. One of the best things about wearing a dress is how effortlessly they can make you look pulled together, even on a hot day. This is such a simple DIY project, but you still have a lot of room to get creative.
Tell me how yours turn out, I love hearing from you.

30 COMMENTS

  1. This is so cute.Thank-you for the tutorial. I think I may have a project tomorrow that trumps chores.Again thank-you very much.It really is adorable,comfortable I could go on and on but you get my point.Thank-you.Becky

  2. This is seriously cute! I am off to go and find some t-shirts right now and get sewing! Absolutely love this dress and it definitely beats any plans I had for today.

  3. Is body of the dress the larger size tee shirt? Wouldn’t it need to be altered for a better fit?

    • Hi Janet,
      The body of the dress is the smaller tee, the one that fits you. You use the larger tee for the skirt that way you have more fabric to gather giving you a more ruffled skirt.
      xoxo
      Cathy

  4. I am a huge baseball fan and to make one of these from my favorite team’s shirts will be sooooooo awesome!!! Love this idea!!!

  5. I made it but the t shirt fabric almost killed my mum’s sewing machine! Oops! :S!!!!! I also made it with 2 colours which looks awesome!!

  6. I have lost 70lbs and I have some shirts that are way too big on me. This is a great way to recycle them to wear while I continue to lose another 70. Thanks!

    • Hi Amy,
      Way to go!!! Congratulations! Keep going, you can do it!!!
      xoxo
      Cathy

  7. What stitch did you use on the seam of the skirt? It worked with the fabric very nicely. I’m having mad issues working with knits LOL

    • Hi Melissa,
      I used a zig zag stitch but not the normal zig zag, I used the one that has multiple stitches. So instead of one stitch per zig and one per zag it’s 2-3 stitches per. It helps to keep the knits from pulling.
      I hope that makes sense. Good luck!
      xoxo
      Cathy

  8. I used to do this for my DD when she was small. I hate to gather, so I pinned the skirt on at regular intervals – halves, halves again, halves again, etc. When sewing on the skirt, with the skirt on top, as I reached each pin, I would fold the loose fabric towards me just before pulling out the pin and sewing it down. This is an easy way to make pleats..

  9. Lovely! Thanks so much for posting how to do this. I won an oversized tee at an event and am going to make this to wear the shirt to the same event next time! I also used another tutorial (also found online) to tailor the top of the tee, now I am adding the skirt. I’m with Mary in FL, I am making pleats instead of ruffles, partly because I’m using a regular cotton fabric instead of t-shirt material.

    • Thanks Janny226!
      I love the idea of using a regular cotton fabric with pleats! I will look great!
      xoxo
      Cathy

  10. I’m a little confused on step 2. Both strips will have two side seams. Do I cut all 4 or just one on each strip?

    • Hi Carolyn,
      You cut 2 strips from the larger shirt (they will be round like a tube) then cut open one seam from each “tube” and sew the two together. So you will see 4 seams but you only sew 2.
      I hope this helps!
      xoxo
      Cathy

  11. This is a lovely idea and one which I certainly will be making . :)

  12. SUPER, SUPER, SUPER and SUPER!!! thanks again Cathy!

  13. I am really into comfy dresses and especially t-shirt ones! I can’t wait to try making this because I usually see the basic tie-waist ones but never have I seen this cute ruffled one! <3 Thanks for this tutorial!

  14. What a great idea. My granddaughter loves these sort of dresses and has lots of t-shirts she doesn’t wear as doesn’t really like leggings or skirts. I am thinking now if I buy some of the largest men’s t-shirts I can find they might be wide enough to make the whole skirt with no join and no hemming, thank you so much.

    • Thanks Gill! I’m so glad you like this project, I hope your granddaughter loves them!
      xoxo
      Cathy

    • You can get xx or xxx large men’s tee shirts in Walmart. I get them when there are on sale.

  15. Luma Archeleigar

    Ficou lindo e simples, excelente!

  16. Really wish I could sew, but all my efforts end up not so good :! Love your comfy T-shirt dress, you should sell them :) I’ve tried to see if anyone has used the pretty long camisoles with lace and apply the same ideas to make dresses but haven’t found any.

  17. HI Cathy! I love this DIY! I am putting together a list of 10 t-shirt refashions for my blog and I would like to add this to the list. I did not see how I could contain you on this blog, so I hope this message reaches you. I would like permission to use your photograph on my blog http://www.thatblackchic.com. Please contact me at thatblackchic@gmail.com

  18. Great work! This dress seems easy to make by following your steps. I am going to try this. Thanks a lot for sharing.

  19. I love this DIY. I really impressed with your t-shirt design creativity. This t-shirt is very easy to make by following your instructions. I so excited and can’t wait to try this. Thanks for sharing. https://www.tsport.ca/tshirts.html

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