Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Wowzer Wed-Block Dress

This Wed. wowzer isn't so much of a wowzer as it is leftovers. I had this pack of onesies that I bought for my daughter that are 24 months. I usually don't mind that old wearing a onesie but honestly Elizabeth is such an advanced little thing I feel silly putting her in baby clothing. Even though she is only 19 months. So I decided to take one of those onesies and make it into the top of a dress. And since it is BLOCK WEEK we are making the bottom of the dress out of blocks of fabric.

So here is what you need:
-a onesie or t-shirt top
-3 strips of stretchy fabric, like jersey or t-shirt material
-1/2 inch elastic *measure your child's waist where you want the skirt part to start and cut your elastic to that size

Instructions:

1. Cut your fabric into strips. Mine were 16 inches long and 4 inches wide (except the bottom strip which was 5 inch wide). Make sure you cut 2 strips of each piece, one for the back and one for the front.
2.Pin and sew your strips together. I sewed them with wrong sides together because I like the look of the rolled seams but that is up to you.

3. Sew the two pieces together with right sides facing. Now you have a tube.
4. Sew a long stitch across the top. This is for gathering.
5. Cut the onesie bottom half off. I cut it about 3 inches under the armpit.

6. Use the bottom half of the onesie and cut a 2 inch piece. (It should be a tub shape. This will be the casing for your elastic).
7. Take your elastic piece and sew the ends together. I like to layer then to get a smooth seam but that is up to you. Now you should have a tub elastic piece.
8. Place your elastic inside the onesie tub piece that you cut (the casing).

9. Pin your casing to the top of the onesie with raw edges matching. Then sew the casing to the onesie top and try not to sew on the elastic.

10. Gather the top of the skirt so that it is the same size as the elastic part of the top. Pin it in place on top of the elastic (with the wrong side of the skirt on the right side of the top, does that make sense?) This way you will have a cut ruffle where your top and skirt meet. Then sew directly on the loose stitch attaching the skirt to the elastic.

And you are done now you have a cute play dress made out of leftovers. No need to hem the bottom because it is jersey fabric and doesn't fray. If you want you hem the bottom you can.


Sorry about the pictures, Liz wasn't willing to cooperate for pictures today. AAHH toddlers.

I tried to bribe her with the pig but all she wanted to do was kiss it.

**I was going to post WIWW but my new camera is not cooperating and the pictures are really bad. So You will have to wait until next week to see my wardrobe.

1 comment: