When my girls were little, I loved making dresses for them. I especially loved making them t-shirt dresses. As a busy mom with three little ones, I didn’t have a lot of time for sewing projects back then, so most of my sewing involved some sort of shortcut. The t-shirt dresses I made were the perfect shortcut. You just use a store-bought t-shirt and then sew the skirt onto them. This saved me loads of time and the dresses were actually very soft and cozy, which was really important to the girls.
To make the t-shirt dresses, I used the book “Sew Pretty T-Shirt Dresses” by Sweet Seams. This book contains many different patterns, but my favorite go-to pattern is on page 86. It’s called Pretty in Pink, but I made it in about every color imaginable over the years. This book is still available and can be found on Amazon, Etsy, and used book stores.

My ideas were endless with the t-shirt dresses! As my oldest daughter grew, I eventually showed her how to make the dresses, as well. When she was 12 years old, she started going to the orthodontist. At the orthodontist’s office, each patient got a t-shirt on their first visit. If they wore it to their following appointments, they could collect “points” and could then cash in their points on the day the braces were removed. My daughter, being who she is, decided to go above and beyond with that and we turned the orthodontist t-shirt into a dress, complete with braces on the skirt fabric! It was adorable and her orthodontist was amazed at her creativity!

These dresses are perfect for holidays as well. Just buy a cute Christmas t-shirt, or even a solid red or green t-shirt, and make the skirt from cute Christmasy yardage. I have done this for Christmas dresses, Halloween dresses, and Valentine’s Day dresses! Since I live where it is cold in the winter, I would buy a long-sleeve t-shirt for the dress, if needed.

wearing dresses!

I would use quilting cotton for the skirts for two reasons: one, because I could find whatever theme I wanted in quilting cotton. And two, because it washes up so well. These dresses were worn in our backyard, in the chicken coop, at the park, at church, all. the. time. They got washed frequently and always looked great! Both of my girls loved wearing them and I’m kind of sad that they have outgrown that look and now prefer Lululemon leggings or jeans. But, I am totally saving this book for my future granddaughters though!


If you’re looking for yardage to make one of these cute dresses, there are so many options on Missouri Star Quilt Co.! Make one for your favorite little girl in her favorite color, favorite sports team, favorite character, polka dots, stripes, rainbows, the list is endless! But I have to warn you, making these dresses is addictive. You’ve been warned. Happy sewing!
‘Til next time,
Beth
Want to read more from Beth Said Sew? Click here!

Thank you, thank you. I miss her too and those trips to her Wisconsin workshops.