Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Rooty "TUTE" Tuesday - Sweater Dress

Sweater - Dress RevampI'm not sure when the dollar store starting carrying sweaters, but I quickly snatched this one up when I saw it. It's not THE prettiest, but I knew it would be 10x cuter as a little girls dress...and it is! Maybe you have an old sweater that would make a super cute dress. Here's how to make it:

Supplies: sweater, sewing essentials (machine, scissors, thread, etc.), buttons (if desired)1.) Fold the sweater in half length-wise to cut it into the dress shape. Cut a gradually angled line from bottom of sweater to top of the sweater ( I used my rotary cutter to get a straight line). You'll have to estimate how big to make your dress depending on the child's size or use another dress as a reference.2.) With dress still folded in half, cut a small curve for the arm-hole.3.) With right sides together, sew sides of dress together starting from the bottom and making sure to match up the bottom edge. Stop sewing at the bottom of the arm-hole. Serge or zig-zag stitch along the seams edge.
4.) Use the original sweater sleeves to make the new sleeves. Cut off the bottom of the sleeves...you can use the original cuff for the new cuff. Estimate how long you need to cut for how long you want the sleeves to be. 5.) Match the inseam of the arm/sleeve to the seam on the side of the dress. With right-sides together (the sleeve will be tucked into the inside-out sweater), pin together starting at the matched up seams. If the sleeve hole is larger than the arm-hole, you will need to gather the top of the sleeve or create pleats (I did pleats). Put the pleats/gathers at the top of the sleeve and this will give it a more girly look. Sew all around the arm-hole, connecting the sleeve to the dress. Do this to both sides. Serge.6.) You're almost done! If you want, you can embellish the dress a little. I rolled up the sleeves and added a button to them....the sky's the limit! Oh, and in case you were wondering, I did leave the original turtleneck on the dress. My daughter is 2 and it looks a little large on her, but still really cute.
You're done!!! Now your little one is ready for the cooler weather...bring on the fall! If you use this tutorial, I would love to see your sweater dresses...make sure to comment and leave a link! Thanks!!!

24 comments:

Tami said...

SUCH a cute tutorial! Again, just wishing that I had a little girl to try out all your adorable ideas on!

Stephanie said...

YAY for the "TUTE"!! This made my week! :) Thank you bunches

Bridget said...

I am so glad I found your blog today. I love sweater dresses and buy them every year, it never donned on me I could make one from one of my sweaters. Off to raid my closet, thanks!

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

Awesome tutorial!!! Thank you for showing it step by step. :)

Unknown said...

super cute.. you're so creative!

Holly said...

Thank you so much for this great tutorial! I have a 4-year-old niece who would look adorable in something like this!

Unknown said...

This is super adorable! I found your blog today and what amazing stuff, I must say. Really well done.

Jaime said...

LOVED your tutorial, had to make one, pictures are over here:
http://herhobby.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

Thank you so much for posting this tut!!! I'm just learning now how to sew, just made my first project the other day, but I feel confident with your tut that I can handle this one! The sleeve has me worried but I will get it to work, and when I'm done...if my daughter is able to wear what I created I will post a link to the picture!!! Thanks again!

Carla said...

I was so happy to find this today. I looks great now I just need to find a perfect sweater for this project, thanks.

Caldwell Family said...

I just finished my first try on this, and though it didn't turn out just how I wanted it too (I think I just chose the wrong kind of sweater) I still really love it! You'll have to check out my blog to see it. I'll post pics soon. Thanks for the Tutorial!

The Hall Clan said...

Hi Lynette---I was reading the blog of a friend that I work with---she made your sweater/dress. When I clicked on the link---lo and behold I recognized little Brinley,,,and you.....small world.

Oh, and I am having a girl in March--so I will actually be able to try it. woo hoo.

Kami---Dan's cousin

The Manlupig Family said...

So, I just found your blog! love this dress! I'm always finding strange things at the goodwill outlet for .89cents a pound. it only makes sense to buy it. my sis in law brings me cute adult clothing all the time and says, "can't you just sew this into a dress for Jordyn or a Shirt for McKenzee". Why yes I can! thanks to your blogs I'm even more excited to do so!! :) thanks!!

Tasha said...

I am so on the prowl now for a cute cheapy sweater! This dress is just WAY too cute and so so easy!

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Unknown said...

sweater dress are my weakness! They are so easy to wear and versatile.

fzillion said...

How to make the arms of my sweater longer?
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