Ok, i admit it — i was a punk rocker in my teen years. But that life experience was very useful; I gained a lot of DIY skills! I’m a big girl; “normal” stores fit too small, and plus-sized stores fit way too big. Being able to make and alter my own clothes is a major asset. So here is a DIY pattern to make a couple of t-shirts into a cute dress.

You will need two shirts, one will be the top and the other will be the skirt. The top can be already a fitted tee if you have one . . . but I like to buy those box-shaped wildlife t-shirts from Giant Tiger, so I will explain how to alter the top as well. My top t-shirt is usually a size large, and the bottom (just a Fruit of the Loom or Gildan-style shirt) is an extra large. This will make a dress that could potentially fit from size 14-18.

The skill level for this is probably at least an intermediate sewing level. You should be able to use a sewing machine and have the ability to pin two pieces of fabric together and sew a straight line. Work with the garment inside out whenever possible, and double-check that things are pinned the right way before you sew them together!

1 Alter the Top

Cut a scoop neck and hem it.

Cut the sleeves off (cutting about an inch or two into the shoulder of the shirt, since the shoulders are so broad). Cut the sleeves into a smaller triangular piece and sew them back on to the top (so the top has capped sleeves).

You can also bring in the sides a bit to make the top more fitted, but it isn’t necessary (tip: if you have a fitted t-shirt that you like, feel free to use it as a pattern for reference).

Try the top on, mark your waistline and cut off the bottom of the shirt.

2 Prep the Skirt

Cut the top of the second shirt off, shoulder to shoulder.
With the shirt inside out, sew the ends of the sleeves (cut off the surged hems). Also sew about an inch of the very top and bottom of each sleeve shut (where they connect to the shirt). The sleeves are now pockets!

3 Attach the Bottom to the Top

Get a piece of elastic (the wider band the more comfortable it will be to wear), wrap it around your waist and cut it a few inches shorter then that length. Sew the ends of the elastic together.
Pin it all together. I pin the top and the skirt together, and then put go back and pin the elastic into it. This takes a lot of patience and a lot of pins. Pin from opposite ends (one hip and then the other, back and then front, etc).
Sew it, making sure to stretch the garment as you sew, so you don’t bunch things together and sew it shut. I usually sew around twice.

4 Try it on

I usually find the skirt way too long, so I try on the dress and mark where I want the hem. I often do a couple inches above the knee, but it’s a personal preference. Cut off the bottom of the skirt and hem it.

5 Be cute!