So a few months back, my husband decided to clean out his closet (on his own! I know!) and when he was done he came to me with a stack of shirts up to my knee and said, “Honey, before I throw these out, do you want to save them for anything?” Um, YEAH!!! I scored undershirts, Tshirts, and button-down collared shirts, both casual and dress. SCORE. Beat that, Santa.
Here’s my first refashion:
I just positioned a racerback dress that Z already had over his shirt, cut around it with a little extra space for seam allowances, and sewed it together.
Well, until I realized that somehow something had shifted and the dress was going to be waaay too tight. Then I had to grab a coordinating shirt (thank goodness I had that pile!) and make triangular strips down each side. In the end, I’m so happy I messed up because this dress wouldn’t be nearly as cute without those stripes.
I used the same blue shirt to cut out bias binding and just stitched that on with a zig zag stitch. The only tiny little embellishment I did was to cut the neckline wide so I could make a little gather in it for girliness. (because a dress isn’t girly enough, apparently)
I was going to make this into a tutorial, but I didn’t for 3 reasons:
1. I’m lazy busy
2. This was so easy I think a tutorial would insult your intelligence
3. Lil Blue Boo just did a preview for her new pattern: a toddler racerback dress made from upcycled knit. So, I don’t want to step on toes.
Very, very cute! I do LOVE the side panels and the gathering at the neck. GREAT JOB!
i agree..your mistake made you go the extra steps of adding the side-panels taking this little dress from good to great! super cute!
xo
This is so adorable! I agree, much better to have added the stripes.
Cute and practical. We’ve got a load of past-their-prime shirts that would be great for this. Thanks!!
You have seriously inspired me. I am definitely going to see about some remkes in this house, as soon as, this history class of mine is finished. What a smart way to upcycle. Thanks for sharing.
How cute! My mistakes always turn into successes to. Love it!
So cute! Z is such a well dress little girl. Too bad my husbands old T’s wouldn’t fit me after a refashion into a racer back dress. How comfy would that be for the summer?
That is beyond cute! So great that your mistakes turned out to make the dress even better!
very cute!
This is so cute! Isn’t it great when mistakes turn out for the best?
You wouldn’t step on any toes ;) A racerback is a racerback is a racerback right? But so considerate of you to even think about it! Love the dress!
Wow! Adrianna, you have inspired me to do the same! I appreciate and it’s the best refashioned dress for a sweet little girl. She looks pretty good and the color combination is also too good.