A Comfortable Summer Dress Made from a Dollar Store T-Shirt

This comfy dress is easy to make and only cost me a dollar! It’s perfect for HOT summer days when you want to be cool and comfortable, but you don’t want to wear shorts and a tank top.  It does take a little bit of sewing knowledge (i.e., how to gather), and you will need a basic sewing machine. 

You will need a large T-shirt.  Use the largest T-shirt you can find.  I used a 4X, which I bought at the dollar store.  You will also need a tank top or T-shirt that fits you.  I had a tank top that I didn’t wear much, but found it matched the T-shirt perfectly.

Cut out the sleeves and cut across the top of the T-shirt. Trim to make it into a skirt shape.  

Measure where you want the waist to be on the tank top and cut about a half an inch below that.

Turn the T-shirt inside out and sew up the sides.  Even though you don’t need to sew all the way to the bottom, it looks better if you do.

Set your stitch length to the longest setting and sew two lines of stitches around the top of the skirt for gathering.

Pin the tank top to the skirt, wrong sides together, gathering the skirt as you go. Match the side seams. Then baste.  I don’t usually take the time to baste when I sew, but I find it is essential for gathering.

Sew the skirt and top together.

Remove the basting stitches.

Press the seam allowances upwards.

Turn the dress right side out and top-stitch just above the seam, making sure to sew through the seam allowances underneath.  (See photo below. Click for a larger view.) This helps reinforce the seam and keeps it from coming undone.

 The dress is done!

Note:  I got inspiration for this dress from my friend Amy's post.