T-Shirt Upcycle to Toddler Dress

I really love the color of this t-shirt, and it is made of the softest cotton, but alas, the neckline tends to flow further down than I would like--so I made it into a dress for my niece (who is almost 2).  This is one of the easiest ways to make a dress because the side seams and hem are already sewn.

Materials/Supplies

• t-shirt (should be about double the circumference of the toddler you want to put it on)
• elastic thread
• fat eighth (or other material for straps)
• sewing machine and thread
• scissors

Directions

1. Cut the t-shirt off under the sleeves (if this is too long, cut the shirt lower, but be sure to NOT cut off the bottom).
2. Wind the elastic thread onto a bobbin.  My machine can wind it onto the bobbin just fine (it got stuck a couple times, but with a light tug, it went smoothly--still much faster than winding by hand).  I have heard that some machines have problems with this, so you may have to wind by hand.
3. Place bobbin in machine and thread as normal.  I had some problems when I first started because I wasn't getting the bobbin to thread properly.  Make sure you get the elastic thread through every part it is supposed to go through.
4. Keep the t-shirt right-side out, and sew a line around the top about 3/8 of an inch from the cut edge (I just lined the edge of my presser foot up with the edge of the fabric).  Be sure to knot, or reverse when you start and finish a line.
5. Lift your presser foot and more down 3/8 inch from the previous stitch line.  Sew around.  Repeat until you have shirred the desired width.  I sewed 9 lines.
6. Cut the thread on the side where you moved down each line.
7. To make the straps I made, cut four strips 1.5 inches wide each.
8. Fold the strip in half right sides together, and sew down the two long sides 3/8 inch from the edge.
9. Turn the straps right side out.  I find it easier if I have cut the seam allowance down to about 1/8 inch.
10. Sew a line down the center of each strap.
11. Sew the straps onto the dress 1 inch from the sides.

Isn't this so cute?  I made this in about an hour before pool time.  Now go look in your closet, find those shirts you just don't wear, and make some toddler dresses.  You could also use this as a cute shirt for an elementary school girl as well.