A play top for Emmie

I know, I'm the worst blogger ever.....

The bathroom IS done now, and actually a pretty cool project in the master bedroom too, but I have yet to photograph anything since I haven't painted the baseboards in the bathroom, and I need a final pillow for the master bed. Isn't it amazing how the little things can keep you from taking pictures of stuff?

Anyway, I added a couple of pictures on my computer recently from my camera, and found a little play tunic/dress I made my daughter this Summer and never posted.

This little dress is made from a X-Large T-shirt from Walmart,  black and white striped knit fabric, and some red fold over elastic.

The back has gathering to add fullness to the hem, and ease to the shoulders

Miss Em's favorite pose, she looks "Just like the picture on the shirt!"

Gotta love the matching sunglasses (a must for this child, she can't keep her eyes open outside without them!)

In the food court waiting for her treat for being a patient model!
(I added the bow at the waist of the image to match the back fabric)

Wanna make your own?

Here is the shirt I started with.

I used a shirt of Emmie's to trace the shoulder section, and then just drew a straight line from the underarms to the hem, making it as wide as possible.

For the back I just made a piece that matched the front, except I added about  3 inches of extra width at the center back. this piece is also longer since I need to add a hem to the back. (I am using the T-shirt hem at the front)

I don't have any other construction pictures, because the last part went quickly, and I forgot to stop and take any. I made the sleeves match a shirt's sleeves with a little extra at the fold so I could add a gather. I sewed the front and back shoulder seams, added the sleeves, and then sewed down the side seams and put in the back hem. I put a little gather in the center back, and then topped  the neck and sleeve hems off with the red fold over elastic. (stretch the elastic a little wile you are adding it to the sleeves so you get a little puff.)


I really like the idea of using existing shirt printing to my sewing, it's a great way to have a fun motif that you make special through all the other details you add!

The best part of any photo shoot!