This Instructable will show you how to easily make a long sleeved toddler sized dress from an adult sized t-shirt.

I have a hard time finding winter dresses for my girls, that are not too fancy, and not too expensive. I have a lot of t-shirts, none of which fit me well, so here is a great way to use them.

These dresses go great with leggings, are nice and warm, and the kids love to wear them.

You will need:
A toddler.
A t-shirt that currently fits your toddler.
An adult sized shirt to make into your dress.
Scissors
A sewing machine.

Step 1: Try the T-shirt on the Kid.

Have your kid try on the t-shirt. Make sure they are not scared of the logo, or think it's ugly or itchy, or what have you. This is also your chance to check the length, collar and sleeves. The length will be about an inch shorter than it is now. You can make it as short as you want, but you can't make it any longer. The sleeves will be the same length they are now. If the collar is too big, see the last step on this instructable, but it does make the project a lot harder. My advice is to pick a different t-shirt, or find a bigger kid.

Step 2: Cut the Pieces.

Now take the t-shirt, lay it flat, and smooth it out. Take a shirt that already fits your kid, and lay it on top, lining up the top seams of the shirts. If the shirt you are using as a pattern flares out at the bottom, adjust it so it goes straight down. Now cut straight across, about 1/2 inch down from the bottom of the pattern shirt. This piece will be your skirt. You can make it shorter if you want, but leave the finished edge on the bottom alone. Cut along the rest of the shirt, leaving about 1/2 for seam allowance.

Step 3: Sew the Top of the Dress.

Turn the top of the dress inside out. I'm going to refer to the top of the dress as the shirt now. Line up the seams. Sew from the bottom up to the arm pit, then turn and go down the sleeve. Do the same on the other side. Leave the bottom of the shirt open.

Use about a half inch seam allowance. Make sure you back stich at the beginning and end of each seam.

Step 4: Prepare the Skirt.

If you want the skirt to be shorter, cut it now. Leave the finished edge alone. If your shirt doesn't have side seams, mark each side of the skirt with a dot. This helps to make sure the skirt attatched to the dress evenly.

Now baste along the top of the skirt. (don't backstich, use a long stitch length.)

Pull the top thread to gather the skirt.

Step 5: Attatch the Skirt.

Turn the skirt inside out. Turn the shirt right side out. Put the shirt inside the skirt, and line up the raw edges. (Right sides are facing each other.)

Now line up the dots you drew on the skirt with the seams sewn on the shirt.
Now line up the shirt with the gathered skirt, spreading the gathered skirt evenly, and pin in place.

Now sew the shirt to the skirt. Make sure you stay to the left of the gathered stitching so that it doesn't show. If your kids are rough to their clothes, sew around twice.

Turn it right side out and you're done.

Step 6: Try It On, and Go Play.

Make sure all the pins are out. Trim any loose threads, and put it on your kid. They will love it.
Here they are playing Super Hero Girl, and her trusty sidekick Robot Girl.

Both were size Meduim men's shirts. The blue is about a size 6 girls, and the grey is about a 2T/3T.

Step 7: If Your T-shirt Is REALLY BIG.

If your t-shirt is really big, (aka, the collar droops over the kid's shoulder), you can still make the dress, it just takes a few more steps. Lay the pattern shirt over the tshirt, but below the collar.
then cut out the shirt, including cutting across the top.
You'll have to cut out the ribbing for the collar on the t-shirt, and sew it in place on the new smaller top.

It takes a lot of monkeying around with it, but you can do it!