Summer Dress From Men's Dress Shirt

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  Step 1

  ...

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  Step 2

  ...

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  Step 3

  remove sleeves.

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  Step 4

  cut off top of shirt inbetween 1st & 2nd button. (width must = 1/2 under bust measurement + seam allowance)

  ex: bust measurement =36
  shirt width = at least 18 inches

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  Step 5

  turn shirt insideout and put it on. pin it so it fits the shape of your body the way you like it. (i suggest looking in a mirror!)

  *also, you should wear no or tight-fitting pants (like leggings), not jeans or sweatpants.

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  Step 6

  *optional*

  i'm a bit of a perfectionist, so i folded the shirt in half to make sure both sides were even.

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  Step 7

  open up the shirt (if you folded it in half like i did) & sew up both sides

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  Step 8

  IMPORTANT

  try it on & make sure it fits! mine was too big (& akwardly buldge-y).

  it's always better for it to be too big; you can always make it smalller.

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  Step 9

  2nd attempt.

  that's better. now it fits right.

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  Step 10

  now for the top.

  start by removing the cuffs of the sleeves and ripping out the seam of the sleeve.

  you now have the 2 big flat pieces from the sleeves and the 2 cuffs.

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  Step 11

  threadbangers shows how to make a top here:
  http://forum.threadbanger.com/showthread.php?t=11888

  use a swimsuit, tanktop, or halter top that you already own as a template. your dress will be uniquely you!

  i'm going to use a swimsuit pattern that was my mom's when she was in high school.

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  Step 12

  here is my main pattern piece. there is also a waistband but i didn't follow the pattern, i just made my own.

  (the 2 sleeves are on top of each other in order to cut 2 matching pieces)

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  Step 13

  here are the 2 pieces all cut out. the most important part is the gathers at the bottom because that will give it shape to fit your boobs.

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  Step 14

  then i made the waistband for the front.

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  Step 15

  i basted on the bottom of the halter pieces with my machine set on the longest stitch.

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  Step 16

  pull on the bobbin thread to gather the material in the center & attach bust pieces to the waistband.

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  Step 17

  i cut 2 long strips the same width as the waistband that will go around to the back of the dress and tie in a bow.

  (they get cut off in the picture, but if you click the image you can see the whole thing)

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  Step 18

  i attached the 2 long strips to the rest of the waistband & now the top part of the dress is done.

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  Step 19

  pin top to skirt, right sides together.

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  Step 20

  sew it up!

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  Step 21

  and you're done!

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  Step 22

  i used the back of the shirt as the front of the dress...

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  Step 23

  ...& it buttons up the back (& ties).

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  Step 24

  originally i wanted the buttons in the front, but i knew it wouldn't fit over my head without elastic.

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Posted by

Sarah

Comments

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Yvonne R. · 4 projects 5th April 2011

WOW!!! You did a beautiful job!! I love it and the color, perfect for the summer...I have to add this to my "to do" list. Keep up the GREAT work!!

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KMOM14 · Fort Wayne, Indiana, US · 378 projects 14th March 2010

Cute. I like the buttons down the back

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