Toddler Empire Dress Made From an Adult T-shirt

I learned this project from one of my favorite books, Generation T Beyond fashion. ( Wanted to give Meghan Nicolay credit :) )
This project makes an adorable dress for you adorable toddler:)

You will need:

1 adult t-shirt. ( The book says to use a large or extra large, I used a medium and the project still worked.)
Needle and thread, or a sewing machine
Straight pins
Sharp scissors
Chalk marker
Ruler/measuring tape

Step 1: Lets Begin

To start you will need to cut the shirt into two peices.
Lay the shirt flat, and slice the shirt in half about 2 inches from the armpits.
On the lower part of the shirt, dice off the hem.

Step 2: Cutting

Ok! Take the top part of the shirt and mark 5 inches vertically by your child's chest measurement. I didnt know the chest measurement of the child I made this for so I winged it.  Draw out an even rectangle, and cut. Just like your making a mini tube top.

Step 3: Sewing Part 1

Take your small tube and turn it right sides together. Stitch sides with a 3/4 in seam allowance. You should end up with a little tiny tube top.

Step 4: Cutting Part 2

Now lets work with the bottom of the dress. Determine how long you would like the skirt to be. If you like it at the long length, no further action is nesicary. But I your more of a short and flirty kinda gal, give it a few snips till you hit the desired length.

Step 5: Sewing Part 2

Now its time to sew some gathers. Take your skirt and sew a basting stitch around the circumference of the skirt.
When stitched all round, pull loose threads till soft gathers form.

Step 6: Pinning

Now its time to combine the two parts. Take the tube and place it over the skirt. move the fabric around to get the two pieces to align neatly. Pin in place.

Step 7: Sewing Part 3

Sew the two pieces together with a zig zag stitch.

Step 8: Almost Done!

Take the dress and fluff it out a bit. See if there are any changes you would like to make. If not your ready for the last step.

Step 9: Finishing Touches.

Take you scissors and cut two holes about 5 inches apart on the bodice of the dress. Take the seam you cut off from the bottom and thread it through. Now try the dress on :)  Its now party time!