"Shirred and Shared Dress" Tutorial!


For wearing:
And sharing!
And it's so very simple to make!

1. Grab one of daddy's shirts, and remove the pocket with a seam ripper. (You could also even off the bottom of the shirt and hem at this point, but I like the rounded bottom.) If you want it to fit yourself, choose a men's shirt in the same size you'd wear in women's.

2. Cut the bottom off right under the arm seams, and hem.

3. Unbutton the shirt, and shirr around the top, starting and ending at the edges of the button strip. (Shirring tutorial here, if you need it! It's so easy!)
How many rows and how far apart is up to you! I sewed thirteen rows, and lined my presser foot up with the previous row to ensure even lines.

4. (Optional) Add a little gap-security by hand stitching a few snaps in between the first two buttons.

5. If you want to add straps, cut four strips that are double your desired width, plus seam allowance. Mine are 2"x16". Sew each strip together with right sides facing, to make a tube.

6. Attach a safety pin to the end and scoot it through to the other side for an easy way to turn them inside-out!
7. Fold under and pin your straps on. (You may want to try it on her first to get the right placement!) Sew to dress.

That's it!


Paige loves hers, it's cute enough for dress-up times, and comfortable enough for play time!
This is super comfy as a shirt-but do you see what I mean about my needing a belt with everything? I turn into a shapeless blob in flowey shirts. :o(
(It also needs a few more rows of shirring, but that's for another day!)

Obviously the "sharing" won't work for everyone (like mom's with newborns for example!), but it's still very versatile, and your daughter can wear it as a tunic, then as a shirt, so it will last for a long time!

I hope you enjoy it!
Have a great weekend!!

P.S. And speaking of which, have you seen the Summer Vacation Dress and Shortie pdf pattern at MADE? Shirred-dress heaven!

Comments

  1. it's such a good idea...
    I love it
    i'll still my man's shirt

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  2. So adorable. I am so jealous that you can share clothes with such a cute little girl. :P

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  3. Disney this is so adorable. I can't wait to get started on mine.

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  4. LOVE IT!! I'm actually working on a small shirt project of my own and this tutorial helped me see how I'm gonna proceed...I'm kinda stuck on one small detail you see! Thank you so much for this and for all the other great tutorials you share with us!!

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  5. Very cute! I see you got that Liberty of London scarf you were eying. (= I've been stalking that clearance every time I am at Target lately, I got 2 flowery dresses last time I was there. They had some SUPER cute mens button down shirts that would be perfect for this project

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  6. So cool! I will have to try this someday! Thanks for all the great ideas!

    Hana
    MomTog Diaries

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  7. Thank you so much! I've totally got some great shirts to do that with since I'm a SAHM now! Have a blessed weekend:)!

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  8. This is just too cute!! I love it, thankyou for sharing.

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  9. So cute! Love the pics, as always. Thanks for sharing Disney!

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  10. This is SO cute! Thank you for sharing, and also thank you for sharing the shir tutorial! I have been wondering how to do this 4-evah!

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  11. Wow! I love it! I've got to see if my hubby has a shirt I can borrow, I mean, keep.

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  12. I cannot believe how cute that is and what an awesome idea!! You amaze me!

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  13. So cute - and the fact that you and your daughter can share clothes, just wow. Jealous! Lol. Does an 8-month old still count as a "newborn"?

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  14. How old is your little girl? Just trying to get a feel for sizing. I have a niece turning 3 in Nov I'd like to make this for. And do you use a long or short stitch length with shirring?

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  15. So sweet! I have a teenage daughter, so I think she might be past the point where sharing with Mom is fun. ;) But I can make it for me!!! Thanks!

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  16. This is such an awesome idea! I so wish I had a daughter to be able to do stuff like this. :) So cool...

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  17. Vivian: Paige is three, and the dress is about a 3T. :o) I would recommend using a men's size small shirt for your niece, but if you want to use a larger size you can trim the sides up a little and hem them, too!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Disney, thanks so much for this tutorial - wish I had read this comment first - I just tried making this and it looks fantastic, but much much too big for my 3 year old, so I am giving it to my sister instead! My husband's shirts are a large... It was my first attempt at shirring, and my first project on my new Coverlock, so all in all I'm pretty delighted with the result - next time I'll serge the shirt in at the sides first and then it should fit my daughter! Thanks again, Joanna

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  18. Im SOOO new to sewing so I love you blog- WONDERFUL ideas!!!
    Q~ if you were to do this just for your self- (not to share) and made more shirring rows so it grabbed under your bust and more around your ribs would that give more of a fitted shirt look- and create a (higher) waist line??
    I want to do this for myself but i need a waist otherwise i look like a blob... :-/
    THANKS DISNEY!!! (ohh I love your name!!!)
    Take care!

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  19. Oh thank you so much for this tutorial! So clever!! I'm so making coordinating ones for both my little girlies...now I need to go dig through my hubs' closet! lol!!

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  20. looks like you got that scarf from Target you were wanting!

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  21. Sarah: Yes! I would probably double the rows (so about 25 rows). In fact, I was planning to do just that for myself. Maybe with a navy and white striped shirt? So summery!

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  22. It's adorable! Unfortunately I sewed my finger into my sewing machine (not pretty) the last time I did shirring, so I'm scared to try again!

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  23. WOW! I never thought a pink shirt could look so cute. It makes the most adorable dress. Thanks so much for showing us how to do this.

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  24. I've been so afraid to shir. But I think I will get over it now. THANKS.
    I have been worried about what you do at the end of a row. Is backstitching enough? It seems like the elastic would just come out.
    Thanks

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  25. adorable!
    I would wear it 'backwards' with the buttons in the back and a long necklace.
    I adore your blog!

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  26. I see you bought that scarf from Target. I almost splurged on it the other day but...sigh!!!1

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  27. So cute! I am totally going try this! Love it as a top for myself too...hmmm maybe could use a mens tie as a sort of sash belt...would look cute with it I think.

    Happy Crafting!

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  28. You are so awesome! That is so cute! Also- love the scarf! I bought it and the matching wallet a month ago and can't stop wearing it!

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  29. I made something almost exactly like this and shared it on craftster a few months ago.http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=342528.msg3977471#msg3977471

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  30. Okay, Disney! This might be my new favorite! This is seriously the cutest thing ever! And your daughter is a doll. I love how you paired it with the jean jacket, necklace and chucks for her! I love dressing Lillie like that. She loves her chucks and I love her in dresses so we always have a nice little mix going on.

    By the way, we are giving away another Adeliene dress if you want to enter: www.dearlillieblog.blogspot.com

    Jenni

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  31. There is no ending of your creativity! Fabulous and fantastic. Bless you /Therese

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  32. now that's really adorable! and what a great concept for sharing your wardrobe with your daughter! thanks for showing me how...i have a pink men's button down that's long/tall.i'll have to up the size a tiny bit(a whole lot) but keep it for myself!
    you're just so sweet!
    kudzu

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  33. I have always loved this look but was sure it was extremely difficult. That looks like something I might actually be able to do! I'm going to give it a try, thanks for the great tutorial! Theresa

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  34. So CUTE! Love you party decorations too .... what talent!

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  35. i love your blog ..

    greetings from austria :-D

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  36. Thanks for the awesome idea :) Your blog is now in my reader!
    Greetings from Beautiful B.C.

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  37. so CUTE!!! i was just about to throw away one of my husbands shirts because the collar and cuffs were all frayed, but..i kept it knowing i would use it somehow, i just found the how!

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  38. Thanks so much for sharing this! I had a great time making one this afternoon!

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  39. What a brilliant idea!! If I make one, I'd have to BUY a shirt...dear hubby will ONLY wear white shirts (boring!!!)

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  40. Ok, I think you are just amazing! I love you tutorial on shirring. I have been sewing since I was 6 years old and have designed some of my own clothes, quilt and alter clothes, but have never tried shirring, because I was too afraid. I think I might try it now. Thanks! BTW it has been more than 40 years that I have been sewing.

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  41. I just love your blog! I have a daughter that is 2 1/2, love to sew and create, so we have lots in common! I made a shirred shirt for my daughter out of one of my shirts. I'd love for you to stop over and see it!

    http://ttbowtique.blogspot.com/2010/05/shirr-madness.html

    xoxo
    Tina

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  42. This was included in my Fun Feature Friday post today. ;)

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  43. I love this idea.
    I have been afraid to try shirring, but after reading your tutorial, I feel totally confident!
    Thanks for all of great ideas and great tutorials!
    I love your blog:)

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  44. Wow! Awesome tutorial! And so cute!!! I will have to try this someday when I am feeling brave enough to try shirring!

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  45. SO SWEET & WHAT A CUTIE!!! Thank you for this adorable tutorial. :) I can't wait to raid my hubby's closet! LOVE your site, you're so wonderfully creative!!! :) Thank You!

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  46. thanks to this lovely tutorial i made one dress to my girl :D it has a lot of mistakes but im gonna keep trying :D

    how do u make the top not be some much wide??



    http://i29.tinypic.com/33lo2vm.jpg

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  47. i cannot tell you how MUCH i absolutely ADORE this tutorial ! ive been holding onto this vintage SweetBabyJane blouse for over 5 years, the blouse dates back from the late 60's/early 70's, and ive FINALLY found what its meant to be re-purposed into.. this tutorial was MEANT for this blouse <3 LOVE your blog !

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  48. Thanks for a great tutorial. I live in the uk and am new to blogging but love your site, hope you don't mind but I've put it in my list of inspiring blogs, hope that's ok?

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  49. This was fantastic! I just made one and it turned out great! Thank you! (I posted about it in Greek, back-linked here, hope it's ok!)

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  50. Looks great, thanks for al your great tutorials!

    I link to you on my blog,

    http://cadischa.blogspot.com/

    Hope you like it,

    Cadischa

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  51. this is brilliant. i have been trying to upcycle my clothing for my daughter and having a horrible time with measuring. but this is such a great way to make it fit, adding the shirring!

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