Inspired by all of the wonderful makes being shared on Instagram this month for the Me Made May event, I made a simple t-shirt dress last week. Three weeks ago or more, I spied this black and white knit fabric at Ben Franklin’s. It was 20% off which made it a good deal. When I first saw it, I thought it would be a cute t-shirt. However, once I got ready to cut it out, I realized I had more than enough for a dress.
Because I liked the fit of the Blanc t-shirt I made with that mauve fabric, it seemed reasonable to just extend the length of the pattern and create a dress. I figured if it didn’t look right, I could trim the length and wear it as a shirt. Once I had the pattern pieces and fabric laid out, I took an old t-shirt dress I have worn for the last couple of summers and put it on top to determine the length and width of the lower part of the dress.
After cutting it out, it is just a couple of seams to put it together. The neckline is finished with bias tape and each seam is finished with a wide zig zag stitch. (I know, I should have used the serger but it is in the shop. A story for another post!)
Once I had the shoulder seams together, I slipped it on and saw the length was a bit shorter than I wanted. I debated adding a block of solid black to the bottom for length but honestly, I didn’t feel like driving to the store. (Living where we do, a run to Ben Franklin is about a 20 mile round trip.) Instead, I finished the hemline with the same black bias tape. That way I didn’t lose any length to turning under the fabric for a hem. It worked really well and made it just long enough to wear.
Overall, I like the dress. The fit isn’t perfect but I will enjoy wearing it. I have really been enjoying making things to wear lately. Me Made May was a great way to jump back into garment sewing. How about you? Do you have the itch to make something too? I have a pair of pants in process that I am unsure about. The seem like they are going to fit well but the fabric is very soft and I fear they are going to look like pajama pants. If this is the case, well I guess I will have a new pair of pj pants! We shall see.
I am linking up with all sorts of fun linkys. Please check them out at the top of the page, under Link Ups!
That’s a great print. Well done on your finish. It looks great on you.
Thanks Anja. I just read your post for TGIFF and love the minky quilt you shared. So soft!!
Very cute dress, and the length is perfect on you. Fun & summery!
(Being tall I keep the ‘lacy’ hem tape on hand for such mini-hem occasions. It’s with the bias tape.)
Oh yes, hem tape. I have that too. Kind of forgot about it because the bias tape was sitting on the table from finishing the neck line. Hope all is well with you Lodi!
That’s a really cute dress! I’ve been looking at patterns, since I used to sew clothing, and you’ve made me a bit interested in seeing if I could make something. I’m a plus size, though, so that makes it more challenging than I may want to tackle. Have a great weekend, Bernie!
Ooh, Wendy — lucky YOU!! There is an amazing independent pattern company called Cashmerette that has been coming out with fabulous patterns and tutorials, all designed by and for plus-sized, curvy women like you. You should definitely check them out: https://www.cashmerette.com/collections/cashmerette-patterns
I agree Rebecca – Cashmerette is a great option and the patterns are well written. Good thought!
So do you have a secret for hemming knits so they don’t stretch out of shape?
I try to use a stretch stitch which looks like a minuscule zig zag stitch. Also, for this one I hemmed it with bias tape so that sort of stabilized the knit. It made the hem a bit stiff though. I am including a link to a great post about hemming knits. I am going to try using the starch on my next project. Oh, also when sewing with knits make sure not to pull your fabric at all as you stitch. That will surely make it wavy. Hope this helps Vicki!
https://mellysews.com/2017/02/hem-knits-knit-hems.html
Bernie, the dress is so cute, you really have a talent for this. I still have my pattern for the pin tuck blouse we were all making uncut as well as the fabric. I hope to have the nerve to cut it out one day.
Good Job!
Shirley
Thank you Shirley. That is really sweet. If you decide to try to blouse, let me know. I am happy to help!
The dress is cute but I cannot get over the fact you still have a Ben Franklin, we have none in the Midwest anymore and I haven’t shopped in one in forever!
I know, right?! We used to shop for our school supplies at the Ben Franklin in Wayzata, MN back in the late ’70s/early ’80s when I was in elementary school. I have not heard anyone mention that store in years but it brought back a whoosh of memories immediately when I read that!
Really cute dress, Bernie! It looks great on you. If you feel like it’s too short, you could always wear it with some fun red leggings (or black, if you’re feeling more like a grown-up). Have a lovely weekend!
Oh, that is a great idea. Especially for fall when we are in-between weathers. Thanks for the suggestion. 🙂
what pattern did you use? i’m looking for a design very close to your dress.
Hi Margaret: I used the t-shirt pattern from Blank Slate Patterns. But I lengthened it to wear it as a dress. Here is the link:
https://blankslatepatterns.com/collections/women/products/blanc-t-shirt
This T shirt dress looks so stylish and comfy. I wish I was more of a garment sewer.
Thank you Lisa. I really enjoy both garments and quilting. I hope you are enjoying the weekend.
Looks so cute on you Bernie! Very summery and fresh. I still have some pretty knit I bought last summer to make a top – I need to get on it!
I have been loving some of the tee-shirt dresses my friends have been ordering online, but darn, those are expensive. I like your idea of lengthening a shirt. Now to find a knit that’s as cute as yours. This is just the right garment for summer and you look great in it! What a win!
Thank you Mary. What a sweet note! There are lots of knits available – including a selection in my shop. I love the width of knits (52 – 60 inches) because you don’t need more than a yard or so for a project. If you want, check these out:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/NeedleandFoot?ref=seller-platform-mcnav§ion_id=23859015
Have a great day Mary. 🙂
Very cute dress and print.
I am LOVING your dress! You can always add a band of black later if you feel like you’d like it better with more length. Wait until you need to go into town for something else. A wide band of white would be cute at the bottom, too.
Thanks so much Rebecca – Adding a band of black or white would be really cute. I hadn’t thought of it. Have a great weekend!