The Shirt Jumper- Men’s Shirt to Girl’s Dress Refashion Tutorial
September 23, 2009 8:46 amI saw this western-y dress for kids the other day and it inspired me to do this one. Let’s get started! Grab a men’s shirt.
Cut off the sleeves.
Cut off the sleeves.
We need to create a chest band for the dress. Measure your child at the desired width. I like to make it a couple inches larger then normal, and account for the small amount you will loose when you sew it together. I cut out two pieces, about 4 inches wide. 
Sew the two end pieces together so it makes one circular piece.
Fold it over, with the right side out and iron in half. This is your chest band.
Now we need to cut out the straps. Measure your child from where the chest band will be, from front, over the shoulder, to the back. Cut out 4 strips, about 2 inches wide.
Sew the long pieces together and turn them right side out. Iron them flat. 
Now for the dress piece. Figure out how long you want the dress. Measure from the bottom of the shirt up and cut it where you need it.
Now for the dress piece. Figure out how long you want the dress. Measure from the bottom of the shirt up and cut it where you need it.
Trim the bottom hem so it is straight.(Some shirts, like mine did here, had that rounded trim but I wanted it straight.)
Now for pockets. These are optional. Another thing you could do is if the shirts have preexisting pockets, you could cut those out and use those.
Now for pockets. These are optional. Another thing you could do is if the shirts have preexisting pockets, you could cut those out and use those.
I cut out two pockets and two strips for hemtape.
The first thing i do is get a lining for the pockets. You could use the same material, I just love contrasting pocket lining. Pin it, inside out, to the pockets.
Sew them around the sides, leaving the top open. Turn them right side out. Then press them with an iron. I slightly gather the top in the center.
Get your hemtape.
Fold it over once in half.
Sew them around the sides, leaving the top open. Turn them right side out. Then press them with an iron. I slightly gather the top in the center.
Get your hemtape.
Fold it over once in half.
Then open it up and fold the two ends in towards the center. Then press it closed and it will look like this.
Open it up and pin it to the top of the pockets, as shown.
Stitch the hemtape onto the pocket as close to the edge of the hemtape as you can get.
Now find where you want to put the pockets and pin them in place, and sew them on.
Now we are going to attach the chest band to the dress. We need to gather the dress. I do this by lengthening my stitch and setting my tension to the highest number.(like ruffling) you can also do it by hand.
Pin your chest band to the dress, right side together. Sew it on.
Here’s what you’ll have.
Now for the straps. Place your dress on your child so you can mark the placement in the front. Pin them where you want them to go. Then stittch them in place.
Now find out where you want them in the back. I did a cross over, but you can do them however you want. Stitch in place.
The last thing you need to do is finish the hem, if needed.
Here’s how it came out!!
I love the angled pockets.
It looks really cute, too, with a shirt under it, like a jumper.
The back.
This actually fits all my girls. For Isabel it is like a longer shirt, ad for the little ones it fits like a dress. Three in one!!!
Happy in her new getup!
I hope you guys like this one! Add pics to the, finally established, Flickr group. I’d love to see your versions.
Tags: childrens, dress, girls, jumper, men's shirt
Posted in children's clothes, refashions | 44 Comments »
44 Responses
to “The Shirt Jumper- Men’s Shirt to Girl’s Dress Refashion Tutorial”
3 Trackback(s)
- Feb 23, 2010: Refashion: Turn a Men's Shirt Into a Girl's Dress
- Apr 27, 2010: elsie marley » Blog Archive » girls clothes tutorials and inspiration
- May 7, 2010: What Can You Do With A Man’s Shirt? at And A Mommy In A Pear Tree
By Heather on Sep 23, 2009 | Reply
This is sweet!! Thanks for the tute.
By carlyjcais on Sep 23, 2009 | Reply
Beautiful! What a cute garment you were able to refashion out of a boring old men's shirt!
I wrote up a tutorial for making a cute women's dress out of a men's shirt…check it out here:
http://chicsteals.blogspot.com/2009/08/dont-buy-diy-mens-shirt-to-cute-summer.html
Of course men's shirts lend themselves so much better to kids' garments, but I did what I could, even with the shorty length! Yours is uber-cute!
xoxox
Carly
http://chicsteals.blogspot.com
By Michelle on Sep 23, 2009 | Reply
As always, you dished out another adorable outfit. Thanks for the great tute. Where do you ever find the time?
THANKS!
By Jenna on Sep 23, 2009 | Reply
So cute! I wish I had a little girl…
By Jessie on Sep 23, 2009 | Reply
Totally going to make this one!! I love this blog and all the cool refashioning/repurposing you do, because I don't have to buys tons of new fabric, which rocks!!
By Mama B on Sep 23, 2009 | Reply
So cute I love it!
On a side note, have you seen the new J.Crew catalog? There are like 2 (maybe 4) pages of tees in there that look like the designer must read your blog! Seriously I immediately thought of you!
By Kellie on Sep 23, 2009 | Reply
How ADORABLE!
By marisa on Sep 23, 2009 | Reply
Great tutorial! Super cute.
By Cath from chunkychooky on Sep 23, 2009 | Reply
that is seriously brillinat but I am not sure I could attempt it myself! Looks great!
By Zura on Sep 23, 2009 | Reply
i love this!
By A. on Sep 23, 2009 | Reply
That's excellent! I want one for myself!
By zofia on Sep 23, 2009 | Reply
Fabulous tute- love the refashion!
By mistyeiz on Sep 23, 2009 | Reply
love it!!!! tq for the tute…
)
By sofia's sketchbook on Sep 23, 2009 | Reply
i am so doing this one!!!!!!it's beautiful!!!! and thanks so much for showing how to do the pockets…i was scared of doing it but know i know some gooooooood tricks…..
By Amanda on Sep 23, 2009 | Reply
I am so going to try this! I'm not much of a seamstress but I'm willing to try anything and my daughter would love this!
Question-do you have any issues getting it on and off since the chest band doesn't have a button closure?
By Linds@ THAT'S SO CUEGLY on Sep 23, 2009 | Reply
STOP! JUST STOP! I LOVE LOVE your style. So VIntage, SO fresh! Thanks for bein MMMAZING!
By Inoureyes on Sep 24, 2009 | Reply
I just found your blog and have gone through every post. You ROCK! Cant wait to try all the things you have made. Should clear my schedule for the next 12 months to do it.
By יצירת מציאות on Sep 24, 2009 | Reply
WOOW tnx
By Sabrina on Sep 24, 2009 | Reply
This is adorable, I love the country western look of the dress and its so cute! I want one in my size hehe!
By kareena on Sep 24, 2009 | Reply
Great work. I am thinking about doing one in a flannel checked shirt that could be worn as a jumper for fall! Love it and thanks for posting.
By Stephanie on Sep 24, 2009 | Reply
I love how it turned out, your little girl looks absolutely adorable in it! I think I'll have to make one for myself, the pockets are just too irresistible =)
By casserole on Sep 24, 2009 | Reply
This is fabulous!! I showed it to my daughter and asked if she wanted one. "YES!!!" she said. Looks like I'll be making one for her tonight!!
I posted a link to your tutorial on Craft Gossip Sewing:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-dress-shirt-to-kids-jumper/2009/09/24/
–Anne
By Sandra on Sep 24, 2009 | Reply
Fabulous, I Love it and so will My daughter…Thank you!
By Rachel@oneprettything.com on Sep 25, 2009 | Reply
I think this is my very favorite men's shirt refashion to date. It's gorgeous! I'll be linking.
By Lila on Sep 26, 2009 | Reply
I love the placement of the pockets! Another great remake!
By Tasha on Sep 27, 2009 | Reply
Can't wait to try this one. I'm so glad I have girls!
By nicolehelewaut@gmail.com on Sep 29, 2009 | Reply
a nice dress, and a very good idea
By blue moss on Sep 30, 2009 | Reply
so, so fabulous
By Rae on Oct 14, 2009 | Reply
I LOVE this! SO CUTE!!!
By Bilikis M.F on Dec 20, 2009 | Reply
Very creative..thanks for sharing this great 're-use' tip!!!It looks beautiful on the girls.
By molly on Jun 14, 2010 | Reply
LOVE this. Just starting to sew, and have a stack of old work shirts, waiting for … this!
By EmBen on Sep 20, 2010 | Reply
It looks so cute on your girls. I love the big pocket and the jumper too. Just wonder if the jumper has a zipper or button on the back? or how can your girls wear it on?
By Melly on Nov 30, 2010 | Reply
Totally amazing tutorial. It was quite simple but looks like a lot of hard work. I tweaked it a little by using coordinating fabric on the chest and straps instead of all from the shirt. It’s all from around the house stuff though. Plan on making a mini version for my almost 9 month old so that they can have coordinating dresses
Go here for a pic:
http://melissahappyplace.blogspot.com/
Thanks for a great tutorial!
By Mrs K on Dec 28, 2010 | Reply
this is awesome… definately my next sewing project. how adorable! and now I know what to do with 3 of my husbands shirts that he has grown out of…or should I say as he says…have “shrunk”. lol
By Cha on Aug 27, 2011 | Reply
So cool! I have to try this.
By Breann on Aug 28, 2011 | Reply
I made this last night and had enough fabric left over to make a headband!
It turned out so adorable!
By Patty on Jan 15, 2012 | Reply
I love this dress, I need to go raid my husband’s closet now…
By sisters playing house on Mar 7, 2012 | Reply
So cute – I posted this tutorial on our blog post yesterday.
http://sistersplayinghouse.blogspot.com/2012/03/repurposing-prom-dresses.html
By Tracy G. on Mar 27, 2012 | Reply
Thank you so much for this fantastic tut! I made a adorable sundress’ for my girls. So easy to do. I for see a whole closet full of these dresses for the summer. A HUGE THANK YOU!
I found it on Pinterest
By Linda on Apr 3, 2012 | Reply
I made 2 dress’s and 1 top from men’s shirts. I pinned the two dress’s on Pinterest today. I have a shop on Etsy called Threadbender64. I really enjoyed making the dresses and top. I plan on making more. Thank you so much for sharing your idea, I think it is Great!! I love making use of clothing no one wants any long. I purchase the shirts at a local store called “New to You” for 75% off.
By Sarah on Oct 20, 2012 | Reply
I’m excited to try this using a button up flannel shirt for my three year old. I think it will be perfect for the fall and she loves dresses. Thanks for the tutorial!