A Quick And Easy Dress For Mouse (Tutorial)

Mouse keeps growing and growing and I’m left scrambling to keep her in dresses ( it doesn’t help that she is a “full steam ahead” kind of a kid and it hard on clothes)!

The other week I went fabric shopping and found some really cute seersucker that I knew she would love! It was too bright to make a whole dress out of and the stripes would have been hard to work with. Instead I took an idea I had seen on Pinterest and adapted it.

Start with a girl's long sleeved t-shirt and the fabric you like

Start with a girl’s long sleeved t-shirt and the fabric you like

Measure the child from the top of the should to the natural waist and add one inch. Mark this measurement on the shirt.

Measure the child from the top of the should to the natural waist and add one inch. Mark this measurement on the shirt.

Cut off the shirt. Save the discarded piece to make a headband.

Cut off the shirt. Save the discarded piece to make a headband.

Cut the skirt to the right length (remember to include seam allowance). I cut the width at three times Mouse's waist circumference.

Cut the skirt to the right length (remember to include seam allowance). I cut the width at three times Mouse’s waist circumference.

Use some scraps to make strips to sew on the cuffs of the dress.

Use some scraps to make strips to sew on the cuffs of the dress.

Stitch the hemmed cuff pieces to the ends of the sleeves. I thought about adding elastic to ruffle them a little but decided against it.

Stitch the hemmed cuff pieces to the ends of the sleeves. I thought about adding elastic to ruffle them a little but decided against it.

Gather the skirt and stitch to the shirt. The easiest way to do this is to turn the skirt inside out and put the shirt inside it right side out. This gives you "right sides together"

Gather the skirt and stitch to the shirt. The easiest way to do this is to turn the skirt inside out and put the shirt inside it right side out. This gives you “right sides together”

Here's the finished piece. I later went back and appliqued three flowers to the front to dress it up a bit.

Here’s the finished piece. I later went back and appliqued three flowers to the front to dress it up a bit.

I did have to add a small placket in the back. The ribbon around the collar kept the neck of the shirt from stretching enough to go over her head.

I did have to add a small placket in the back. The ribbon around the collar kept the neck of the shirt from stretching enough to go over her head.

Exclusive of adding the appliqued flowers the whole project took about an hour and cost about $8 in supplies. I’m now keeping my eye out for t-shirts and blouses that I can use to make more dresses like this!

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3 Responses to A Quick And Easy Dress For Mouse (Tutorial)

  1. Kendra says:

    Bravo! I’m inspired!

  2. Heather says:

    Love it! I bookmarked it for future reference. I love making jeans and old jumpers into skirts, and overalls into backpacks and bags, so this is right up our alley. Very cute. Here’s a bag I made from denim overalls Firefly outgrew…http://blessing-farm.blogspot.com/2011/12/what-do-you-do-when-you-arent-blogging.html

    Blessings,
    Heather

    • K_Steinmann says:

      That is a cool idea! And when I think of the number of holey jeans I need to mend I like it even better!…K

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