How to Make a Babydoll Nightie Dress from 2 Men's Shirts

Sorry guys!  This will show all your ladies how to steal your striped shirts to make a sweet babydoll-style A-line dress, which can also be worn as a nightie.  Or as a regular dress!

The original instructions I found in the book "Kakkoii Couture Remake," and I adapted the how-to to U.S.-sized shirts and changed the construction so that you only have to use up 2 shirts instead of 3 - which I thought was too much of a waste.

Happy DIY'ing...and please check out my blog www.chic-steals.com for TONS more men's shirt refashions and DIY tutorials!
xoxox
Carly

Step 1 You Will Need:

*2 men's button-down shirts in coordinating colors (I used size 16 - I think that's an L, but I recommend using an XL if you are a S/M Misses'...or an XXL if you are L/XL Misses.')
*thread matching topstitching thread in shirts
*23" of 3/4" wide flat elastic (white)
*110" elastic cord (white)...we'll be gathering fabric so only about 36" will be used eventually, but you need a longer length to do the gathering properly.

*sewing machine
*needle for wovens
*fabric scissors
*seam ripper
*iron (optional)
*1 safety pin

Comments

[vincent7520]

tthat is REAL talent ! …
moreover you REALLY could be a great model as you have the personality that goes with talent !…
Bravo !…

[trophywife]

Oh my goodness. I LOVE your ruffle method. I have always had trouble getting my ruffles to be even (mostly because I'm usually sewing in a hurry) and I will be sure to employ this beautiful little trick the next time I need a ruffle. Which will probably be on this dress. Great 'ible.

[carlyjcais]

Thank you trophywife!! For years I would create ruffles just gathering and pushing under the machine foot as I stitched, but the ruffles would never be distributed evenly across the fabric I was ruffling. (I've never used a ruffler foot, though - which some people have a lot of success with.) Though this method requires another step, I've found that using the elastic to gather allows you to customize your ruffles *first*...and then sew them permanently, so they look nicer overall.
Thanks so much for your comment!
xoxo
Carly

[TheTemptress]

Cute, I love it!

[iamaqtpoo]

Carly, I love it but, how long did this take you do make??? Thanks for the great 'ible!!!

[mmccrohan]

I have to try this, what a great idea. Thanks

[chihuahualover112]

this looks way too adorable and you can count on me trying it out myself soon; great instructable :D

[l8nite]

fantastic thinking outside the box, nicely done and you look adorable in it

[rkumarsaini]

hi

[missunni]

id wear this outside of the bedroom, is that sad? ahaa
its so pretty! nice work xx

[doxsys]

Smokin'! Nice work!

[mary candy]

sweet outfitt! I loved!
I wish me so much a sew-machine!
:)