Ever want a simple, stylish alternative to the regular old game day t-shirt? This game day dress is made from t-shirts of your choosing so you can still support your team while looking cute!

You Will Need:
A sewing machine
2 XL T-shirts of desired team
2 Elastic bands size 1 in x 1-1/4 Yards
1 Soft tape measure
1 Box of sewing pins
1 Safety Pin
1 Spool of Thread same color as t-shirts
1 Fabric Pencil
1 Pair of Scissors

In this example, there are two different colors of shirts used to distinguish between the bodice and the skirt. The red shirt will be referred to as T-Shirt 1 and the yellow shirt will be referred to as T-Shirt 2.

*Before starting, wash and dry the t-shirts if they are new. This will prevent any shrinkage after the dress is completed.

Step 1:

Lay both T-Shirt 1 and T-Shirt 2 flat on the ground and use the scissors to cut all four of the sleeves off. Use one hand to cut and the other to hold the fabric flat. It is best to cut just inside the seam of the sleeve.

Next cut the shirts all the way across the top seam of the shoulders, cutting off the crew neckline as well.

Caution : Be sure to keep the fingers of the hand holding the t-shirt flat out of the way while cutting.

Step 2:

Now, with the shirts still flat on the ground, cut the t-shirts all the way up the sides so you end with two completely separate pieces for each shirt.

Choose which t-shirt you would like as the bodice of the dress and set the other three pieces of the shirts aside for later. In this example the front of T-Shirt 1 will be used to make the bodice.

Step 3:

Hold the piece being used for the bodice up to yourself (or whoever you are making the dress for) and make a small line with the fabric pencil where you want top of the dress to be and another line right below the bust. The top of the dress should be where you would comfortably wear a tube top.

Step 4:

Next, use your fabric tape measure to measure 1" from line you drew at the top of the bodice and draw another small line. This will be away from the graphic you want to use on your bodice, in this example, measure away from the pocket.

Then measure 2" from the line at the bottom of the bodice and draw another small line.

Lay the tape measure parallel to both the newly drawn top line and newly drawn bottom line to make a few more small lines straight across the shirt to use as cutting guides.

Then use your scissors to cut all the way across the newly drawn top line and the newly drawn bottom line. This will give you a rectangular shape that will be used for the front of the bodice.

Step 5:

Take the front part of the bodice and place it on the extra fabric, below where the bodice was just cut out.

Line the outside edges up and trace along the outside of the bodice. Then cut out the identically sized piece that will now be the back part for the bodice.

Trim the edges so they are straight and the same length.

Step 6:

Place the front and back pieces of the bodice together with the graphic side facing inward. Sew the two pieces together along one of the shorter ends of the rectangular piece using the ¼” seam on the sewing machine.

Now open the bodice and lay it flat on the ground with the graphic facing down. Fold the top edge of the seam over 1” and pin along the entire side. Next, fold the bottom edge up 1" and pin along the entire side.

Caution: Be careful not to poke yourself while using the sewing pins.

Step 7:

Sew a seam just inside the edge of the folded part all the way across the top of bodice.

Do the same for the bottom seam then set the bodice aside for now.

Step 8:

Now take the two pieces that were the back of each t-shirt and place them together with the good side facing inward. Trim across the top of the shirts for a similar straight edge. Next trim across one of the longer side edges for an identical straight edge as well.

Pin one longer edge together and sew a 1/4" seam along the side.

Step 9:

Lay the bodice out flat on the floor with the graphic face down. Lay the skirt with graphics down below the bodice.

Align the top of the skirt with the bottom seam of the bodice.

Pin these two pieces together then flip over so the graphic is facing up and sew a seam over top of the existing seam.

Step 10:

Take one strand of elastic and pin a safety pin through the end.

Thread the piece of elastic through the top of the bodice using the safety pin to pull the elastic through. The elastic will give the bodice a scrunching effect.

Do this same process with the other piece of elastic at the bottom of the bodice

Hold the dress around the person who will be wearing it and pin two elastic ends to each other where they will fit comfortably and hold the dress up.

Step 11:

With the elastic bands pinned together at the ends, flip the dress inside out (graphics facing inwards). Switch the pins on the elastic bands so you can still see the colored balls. Now pin the open edges of the dress all the way down the side. Sew a ¼” seam.

Hem the bottom of the dress if needed.

You may also choose to add some ribbon or any other decorations to your dress to make it uniquely yours. Now you are ready to support your favorite team by sporting your brand new game day dress. Happy tailgating!