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Thursday, July 14, 2011

Bandana Dress

Can I just mention once again how much I love sewing - especially if the project is simple, quick (this took 30 minutes AT MOST) and turns out adorable?! Even the most inexperienced sewer can do this. No, really.



What's even better is that there's no hemming, no cutting - all you need is:
2 bandanas
elastic (non-roll is best)
bias tape in coordinating color

Here's a tutorial so you can make one for the little person in your life :)

Lay 2 bandanas down, right sides together. Mine weren't exactly the same size, so I just made sure my bottom seam was lined up. The "top" will be the edge with the printing/writing along the edge. If your bandanas don't have any, then you can make any side the top!

Line up the bottom as best as you can, then pin up both sides. It's ok if they aren't perfect or even, unfortunately, not all bandanas are the same size. Mine was a little off on the sides (see photo below).

Sew up both right & left sides, backstitching at beginning and end.

While keeping right sides together, fold the top edge (see the writing I was talking about?) over about an inch (more if your elastic is wider). Pin in place.

Sew as close to the bottom as possible, you could even follow the seam already on the bandana.
Leave about a 2-3 inch gap at the end to insert elastic.

Cut your elastic a couple of inches smaller than the chest measurement. Attach a safety pin to the end of the elastic and guide it through the top of the dress through the 2-3 inch gap. Make sure to hold on to the non-pinned end so you don't lose it inside the dress.
When elastic is all the way through, pin edges together (this step is easier with bigger elastic, but not impossible with the smaller size) and sew a box with an "x", or if your elastic is small like mine, I just zig-zagged back & forth a few times. It obviously doesn't have to be pretty, just make sure it stays together.

This is how the dress should look so far. This could also be a cute skirt!

Next, I cut 2 strips of bias tape about 3 inches long. You can iron them flat if you'd like.
*You could also cut one big piece about 6 inches long, follow the next step, then cut in half.

Sew along both folded edges to keep them down. I had kind of a hard time since they were so small, but taking it slow helped a lot. Do this to both strips.

Lay dress out and eyeball about 3 inches in from side seams. Fold strips in half and pin so they match up with bottom edge of top fold. These will be the loops for the back of the dress.

Sew strip as close to the same place as your seam. (Just makes it look a little nicer on the outside of the dress, in my opinion.) Go back & forth across the seam a few times (I'm a little paranoid, can you tell?) and then I did another line of stitching along the top, just to make sure the loops are a little more stable.

To make the straps, I cut 2 pieces of at least 24 inches of bias tape. I kept it folded and then sewed as close to the edge as possible. Flip dress over and line up your straps the same way you did the back loops. Sew the same way, lining up with the seam and sewing again along the top. My stitches aren't perfect, so don't judge. They do the job, though, so that's all that really matters.

Tie ends of straps into a knot so they won't come undone in the wash.

...and that's IT!!

Just pull the straps through the loops and tie in a bow!

She loves to pose... if you can't tell. Too funny.
Why, yes, she IS wearing the Folded Flower felt hair clip! ;)

So cute!! When we first put it on to play outside, she wouldn't stop dancing & twirling to even put shoes on.
I take it she kind of likes it :)

Would you like to comment?

  1. Why aren't there bandana's big enough to make one of these for us bigger people???? This is simply ADORABLE! (And so is the model!)

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  2. What a cute dress. Now I want to make one for my little miss.

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  3. Haha! Talk about timing! I JUST bought black and white bandanas yesterday for my youngest and was going to make her a little summer top! Thanks!

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  4. Hi, I'm "following" your blog from the blog hop and would love a follow back - thanks!

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  5. Awwww, little dress and little baby woman...both GORGEOUS!!

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  6. Very cute! I have actually been looking for some projects to do with bandanas and this will be perfect. Thanks for sharing!

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  7. Too cute!Following you from blog hop. Great site! If you get a chance check out my blog:)

    http://www.southerncouponer.com

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  8. Super cute! I've been making bandana skirts, but I love the idea of a dress! And I love the way you did the ties. I don't really like the traditional pillow case dress ties but yours is awesome!

    Saw you at Fingerprints on the Fridge :)

    Have a great weekend!

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  9. Following you from Friday Social Parade.
    http://renee-joyjourney.com

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  10. That's adorable! And I love the colors in your little dress. What a precious model :)
    Stopping by from Sassy Sites

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  11. This is really stinkin' cute!
    http://sweetteaserendipity.blogspot.com

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  12. That is adorable!!! I love things made from bandanas!! :) Stopping by from Homemaker in Heels!

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  13. You never cease to amaze me!! This is darling- I am definitely going to have to try it! And hank you so much for linking up to our party and supporting us! We would love to have you come back again tomorrow for Strut Your Stuff Saturday!
    Camille @
    SixSistersStuff.blogspot.com

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  14. Too cute! I see some bandana dresses in my granddaughter's future! Thank you so much for linking up!

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  15. Now those are cute...I will have to try that=)

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  16. o my gosh this is so darling!!! I LOVE IT!!:)
    http://jaysonandashley.blogspot.com/

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  17. This is adorable. I wish they made bandanas big enough to make one for my teen. She would love it.

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  18. Super cute dress - and a great tutorial too!

    Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
    Hope you have a great weekend!
    Jill @ Creating my way to Success
    http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/

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  19. What do you think the biggest size you can get out of this is?

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  20. so super cute! I love the way you did the straps, very easy!

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  21. @Anonymous: if you'd like to email me, I would be happy to answer any questions you have.
    artsyfartsymama {at} gmail {dot} com)

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  22. Precious dress. I love the colors and she looks so cute in it. Great idea. I am a new follower from Mad Skills blog hop. Blessings...
    Saved By Love Creations

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  23. Adorable dress, and a cute little model too :) This is an awesome tutorial thank you tons for linking it up with us :)
    Britney
    www.jandmseyecandy.blogspot.com
    http://www.facebook.com/JandMsEyeCandy

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  24. Thank you for linking up to the Tuesday Confessional link party! You've been featured, so stop by and grab a brag button! http://www.craftyconfessions.com/2011/07/sew-awesome-kiddie-creations-from.html
    ~Macy from Confessions of a Stay At Home Mommy

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  25. So cute! I have no idea how to sew lol, but I may attempt this! Thanks for sharing

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  26. So cute! I'm a beginner when it comes to sewing so this is my type of project :) I have two little girls and can't wait to try this! I'm your newest follower and I'd love it if you'd come check out my blog to. lilpinkpocket.blogspot.com

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  27. So cute, thanks for sharing at Bacon Time, hope to see you soon.

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  28. This is adorable, Lindsay! I am trying to feature it, but it won't let me copy the pics... Thanks so much for linking up!
    Crystal
    Homemaker in Heels

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  29. This is adorable!! Love the bandana dress!
    Thank you for linking up to {nifty thrifty sunday} last week!
    I hope to see more of your creativity this weekend! :)
    xoxo,
    Vanessa

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  30. Lindsay, you are just our favorite!!! This dress is darling! You are so incredibly talented and creative! Thank you so much for linking up to Strut Your Stuff Saturday- we would LOVE to have you come back tomorrow and link up more of your great posts!
    -The Six Sisters
    http://sixsistersstuff.blogspot.com

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  31. I wish my girls were still little:( I used to LOVE making them dresses!!!
    Thanks for sharing at Pinkalicious Thursday and I hope you'll play again tomorrow:)
    XOXO,
    Tasha

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