Introduction: Sun Dress Made From 3 Mens Shirts
This is a versatile, comfortable sun dress you can make from 3 recycled men's shirts. It's inexpensive and has more coverage than the 1-shirt dress projects you may have seen in other websites.
This tutorial will show 2 alternate ways to make the top of the dress, to accommodate different sewing skill levels and body types..
Make sure to read the whole tutorial all the way through before starting, so that you can skip the steps for the bodice style you are not making.
This tutorial will show 2 alternate ways to make the top of the dress, to accommodate different sewing skill levels and body types..
Make sure to read the whole tutorial all the way through before starting, so that you can skip the steps for the bodice style you are not making.
Step 1: Materials
Materials needed:
First you need 3 men's long-sleeved shirts. You can get these from a thrift store, or recycle your husband or boyfriend's old shirts. It looks best if the 3 shirts are the same colors or patterns. (or very closely similar)
I chose 3 shirts with blue and white stripes, the bodice has narrower stripes.
The dress uses 1 shirt for the bodice and 2 shirts for the skirt, so if you want a contrasting skirt, then get 2 shirts in the skirt color and 1 shirt in the bodice color.
For example, if you wanted a dress with blue top and white skirts, you would need 1 blue shirt and 2 white shirts.
The shirt you choose for the bodice should be large on you, it needs to be loose fitting.
You will also need basic sewing supplies:
scissors, thread, sewing machine, and optional elastic for one of the bodice options.
I have shown the dress accessorized with a purchased belt.
First you need 3 men's long-sleeved shirts. You can get these from a thrift store, or recycle your husband or boyfriend's old shirts. It looks best if the 3 shirts are the same colors or patterns. (or very closely similar)
I chose 3 shirts with blue and white stripes, the bodice has narrower stripes.
The dress uses 1 shirt for the bodice and 2 shirts for the skirt, so if you want a contrasting skirt, then get 2 shirts in the skirt color and 1 shirt in the bodice color.
For example, if you wanted a dress with blue top and white skirts, you would need 1 blue shirt and 2 white shirts.
The shirt you choose for the bodice should be large on you, it needs to be loose fitting.
You will also need basic sewing supplies:
scissors, thread, sewing machine, and optional elastic for one of the bodice options.
I have shown the dress accessorized with a purchased belt.
Step 2: Cutting the Skirt Pieces
Begin by laying out the 2 shirts which you chose for the skirt.
Cut across the chest, just below the armpits.
If there is a button within an inch of the cut, then remove that button.
Set aside the upper part of the shirt with the sleeves. You will use this later.
The torso of the shirt from the armpit down will become your skirt.
Leave the shirt hem intact, so that your dress will have the curved hem of the original shirts.
Next, cut along one side seam of the torso, and open the torso out flat.
Sew the button plackets closed.
Cut across the chest, just below the armpits.
If there is a button within an inch of the cut, then remove that button.
Set aside the upper part of the shirt with the sleeves. You will use this later.
The torso of the shirt from the armpit down will become your skirt.
Leave the shirt hem intact, so that your dress will have the curved hem of the original shirts.
Next, cut along one side seam of the torso, and open the torso out flat.
Sew the button plackets closed.
Step 3: Sewing the Skirt
Take your two skirt pieces and place them right sides together.
Line up the bottom hems with eachother.
If the shirts are different lengths, trim the longer one to match the shorter one.
Trim it at the top edge, to leave the hem intact.
(It's OK if they are different widths)
Sew the 2 pieces together at each side. This will create a large tube.
Now set your sewing machine stitch length to a long basting stitch.
Sew all around the top cut edge of the skirt with a long basting stitch.
Now set the skirt aside for now.
Line up the bottom hems with eachother.
If the shirts are different lengths, trim the longer one to match the shorter one.
Trim it at the top edge, to leave the hem intact.
(It's OK if they are different widths)
Sew the 2 pieces together at each side. This will create a large tube.
Now set your sewing machine stitch length to a long basting stitch.
Sew all around the top cut edge of the skirt with a long basting stitch.
Now set the skirt aside for now.
Step 4: Cutting Out the Bodice: Option 1- Elastic Style
I'm giving 2 options for the bodice of this dress.
This is directions for Option 1- elastic style top
This is the easiest option and looks good on slender women with small-to-medium busts.
NOTE: Before you cut anything, read through this whole instructable, especially step 6. You may prefer to use Option 2- tank style top if you are a full-figured or larger busted woman, because option 2 allows you to wear a bra with the dress.
Ok now back to style 1:
Lay out the shirt that you chose for the bodice.
Cut across the shirt just below the armpit, and cut the bottom hem straight across.
If there is a button within an inch of the cut, then remove that button.
Sew the button placket closed.
You will use the straight tube of fabric as your bodice.
This is directions for Option 1- elastic style top
This is the easiest option and looks good on slender women with small-to-medium busts.
NOTE: Before you cut anything, read through this whole instructable, especially step 6. You may prefer to use Option 2- tank style top if you are a full-figured or larger busted woman, because option 2 allows you to wear a bra with the dress.
Ok now back to style 1:
Lay out the shirt that you chose for the bodice.
Cut across the shirt just below the armpit, and cut the bottom hem straight across.
If there is a button within an inch of the cut, then remove that button.
Sew the button placket closed.
You will use the straight tube of fabric as your bodice.
Step 5: Sewing the Bodice: Option 1- Elastic Style
Option 1- elastic style
The best elastic for this project is from 3/4 to 1" wide.
First, use a tape measure to measure around your body above your bust, under your armpits (do not measure the fullest part of your bust)
This will be the upper edge of the bodice where the elastic goes.
Now cut a piece of elastic 2 inches shorter than this measurement. Set elastic aside.
On the top edge of the tube top, fold over a hem casing wide enough to contain your elastic.
Sew the upper hem, leaving about 2 inches open.
Attach a large safety pin to one end of the elastic, and thread the elastic through the casing.
Pulls the 2 ends of the elastic through the opening you left and sew them together.
Now finish sewing closed the opening.
At this point, the top will look more like a skirt, and in fact you can even wear it as a convertible skirt AND as a dress, when it's finished!
Optional straps:
From the sleeves of one shirt, cut 4 long strips, each strip 2 inches wide.
Take one strip and fold it in half , the long way.. Sew it into a long tube with a half-inch seam allowance.
Now turn the tube inside out and press it flat.
repeat with all 4 straps.
Hem the raw edges of the straps, or tie a knot in one end of each strap. (this keeps the cut edge from unraveling)
Try on the tube top to choose the position for the straps.
You will sew 2 straps to the front and 2 straps to the back, and then tie them at the top of the shoulders.
Sew the straps to the inside, along the top edge.
These are convertible straps, you can untie them and tuck them into the top to wear a strapless look.
SKIP TO STEP10: Attaching the skirt
The best elastic for this project is from 3/4 to 1" wide.
First, use a tape measure to measure around your body above your bust, under your armpits (do not measure the fullest part of your bust)
This will be the upper edge of the bodice where the elastic goes.
Now cut a piece of elastic 2 inches shorter than this measurement. Set elastic aside.
On the top edge of the tube top, fold over a hem casing wide enough to contain your elastic.
Sew the upper hem, leaving about 2 inches open.
Attach a large safety pin to one end of the elastic, and thread the elastic through the casing.
Pulls the 2 ends of the elastic through the opening you left and sew them together.
Now finish sewing closed the opening.
At this point, the top will look more like a skirt, and in fact you can even wear it as a convertible skirt AND as a dress, when it's finished!
Optional straps:
From the sleeves of one shirt, cut 4 long strips, each strip 2 inches wide.
Take one strip and fold it in half , the long way.. Sew it into a long tube with a half-inch seam allowance.
Now turn the tube inside out and press it flat.
repeat with all 4 straps.
Hem the raw edges of the straps, or tie a knot in one end of each strap. (this keeps the cut edge from unraveling)
Try on the tube top to choose the position for the straps.
You will sew 2 straps to the front and 2 straps to the back, and then tie them at the top of the shoulders.
Sew the straps to the inside, along the top edge.
These are convertible straps, you can untie them and tuck them into the top to wear a strapless look.
SKIP TO STEP10: Attaching the skirt
Step 6: Cutting the Bodice: Option 2- Tank Style
This is directions for Option 2- tank style top
This is a more detailed option and looks good on full-figured and larger busted women, and it allows you to wear a bra with the dress.
Lay out the shirt you have chosen for the bodice.
You will cut the shirt into a v-necked tank-top shape.
You can use a v-necked top that fits you well to determine your neckline and armhole cuts.
Cut straight across the bottom hem, and cut up the sides of the shirt.
Make sure the bottom edge of the bodice is wider than your hip measurement.
If there is a button within an inch of the cut, then remove that button.
Sew the button placket closed.
This is a more detailed option and looks good on full-figured and larger busted women, and it allows you to wear a bra with the dress.
Lay out the shirt you have chosen for the bodice.
You will cut the shirt into a v-necked tank-top shape.
You can use a v-necked top that fits you well to determine your neckline and armhole cuts.
Cut straight across the bottom hem, and cut up the sides of the shirt.
Make sure the bottom edge of the bodice is wider than your hip measurement.
If there is a button within an inch of the cut, then remove that button.
Sew the button placket closed.
Step 7: Sewing the Bodice: Option 2- Tank Style
Before you sew the bodice, you need to bind the neck and armhole edges.
You will make some double-fold bias binding from the sleeves of the shirts.
1. Cut off 2 sleeves from one of the shirts.
2. Cut off the sleeve cuffs.
3. Cut the sleeve seam open, and open out the sleeve fabric flat.
4. Cut the sleeves on a 45 degree angle to create bias strips. The strips should be 1 1/2 inches wide. (about 4 cm)
You will make some double-fold bias binding from the sleeves of the shirts.
1. Cut off 2 sleeves from one of the shirts.
2. Cut off the sleeve cuffs.
3. Cut the sleeve seam open, and open out the sleeve fabric flat.
4. Cut the sleeves on a 45 degree angle to create bias strips. The strips should be 1 1/2 inches wide. (about 4 cm)
Step 8: Sewing the Bodice: Option 2- Tank Style
Sew the bias strips together to create one long piece of bias binding.
Press the seams open.
Make sure all your seam allowances are on the same side, and keep the stripes running the same direction in all the pieces.
Next, press the long bias strip in half, the long way.
Then, fold the edges in to meet at the center., to create your double-fold bias binding.
Press the seams open.
Make sure all your seam allowances are on the same side, and keep the stripes running the same direction in all the pieces.
Next, press the long bias strip in half, the long way.
Then, fold the edges in to meet at the center., to create your double-fold bias binding.
Step 9: Sewing the Bodice: Option 2- Tank Style
Take your double-fold bias binding and pin it to the neckline edge.
The raw edge of the neckline will be completely enclosed and covered by the neck binding.
Sew the neck binding to the neckline.
Now Take your double-fold bias binding and pin it to the armhole edge.
The raw edge of the armhole will be completely enclosed and covered by the binding.
Sew the binding to the armhole.
Repeat with the other armhole.
Now that the neckline and both armholes are finished, you can sew the side seams of the bodice.
The raw edge of the neckline will be completely enclosed and covered by the neck binding.
Sew the neck binding to the neckline.
Now Take your double-fold bias binding and pin it to the armhole edge.
The raw edge of the armhole will be completely enclosed and covered by the binding.
Sew the binding to the armhole.
Repeat with the other armhole.
Now that the neckline and both armholes are finished, you can sew the side seams of the bodice.
Step 10: Attaching the Skirt
This step is the same for both bodice styles.
Earlier in step 3, you had sewn a long basting stitch around the top edge of the skirt.
Now you will pull on those basting threads, to create gathers in the skirt ruffle.
Pin the skirt to the bodice, right sides together. Match up the side seams and distribute the gathers evenly all around the skirt.
Now sew the bodice to the skirt.
Press the seam allowance toward the bodice.
Now you are done! You don't need to hem the bottom because the shirt hems were left intact.
Earlier in step 3, you had sewn a long basting stitch around the top edge of the skirt.
Now you will pull on those basting threads, to create gathers in the skirt ruffle.
Pin the skirt to the bodice, right sides together. Match up the side seams and distribute the gathers evenly all around the skirt.
Now sew the bodice to the skirt.
Press the seam allowance toward the bodice.
Now you are done! You don't need to hem the bottom because the shirt hems were left intact.
Step 11: Accessorize!
I like the dress with a belt, you can use a purchased belt or make a tie-belt from the remaining sleeves.
Just sew a long tube of fabric, turn it right side out and tie knots at the end.
Now just add a pair of sandals and you are ready for summer!
Note:
In the picture below I have the skirt pinned up to show the fullness, but it does not stick out that way when you wear it.
Just sew a long tube of fabric, turn it right side out and tie knots at the end.
Now just add a pair of sandals and you are ready for summer!
Note:
In the picture below I have the skirt pinned up to show the fullness, but it does not stick out that way when you wear it.