Oh my stinking goodness y’all – I don’t even remember the last post I made … much less my last tutorial! It has been steadily increasing in crazy around here. Strangest thing has been happening. My baby doesn’t sleep ALL DAY anymore. Weird. I might need to take her to the doctor.
Anyhoo…tonight….because I’ve been developing hives from non-blogging-activity….I decided I simply MUST share a really fun (and of course FAST, CHEAP AND EASY) project for baby girls in your life.
Believe it or not, but in about 15 – 20 minutes, you can turn a cheapo / boring onesie into a faboulous, one of a kind DRESS…. like this…
Here’s how to do it …
Start with a Onesie. Duh. (sidenote: you'll probably want to choose a size bigger than your baby)
Fold the onesie in half lengthwise. (this is sort of optional, but folding in half guarantees that the sides are cut at the same place)
Cut that onesie at the waist. Of course, I just guessed where I wanted to cut...but feel free to measure if you're into that sort of thing.
When you open the two halves up, this is what you'll have.
Now, pull out some great fabric that you've had in your stash for a while. I chose a very lightweight cotton print ... but just about anything will work. Heavier fabric will produce a fuller skirt! Cut a rectangle - I use the entire width of the fabric and cut a length of about 12-18"..but again, I don't measure. I wanted the skirt to be long, but any length will work.
Join the two selvege edges, sew. Then, finished the bottom hem of the skirt.
Sew a gathering stitch / basting stitch along the upper edge of the skirt.
Now you're ready to assemble your dress. Take the bodice of the cut onesie and turn upside down.
Turn the skirt wrong-side-out, pull the gathers, and then pin the skirt to the bodice - right sides together.
Now take the bum half of the onesie. turn it wrong side out - making sure to put the back side with the back side of the bodice -t then pin. You will have a sandwich: Inside - bodice, right side out. Middle - skirt, wrong side out. Outer - bum, wrong side out. Sew three layers together using a BALLPOINT needle.
And you're done! That's it y'all. I mean seriously - let me hear you holler - AWESOME!!!
And...if you've got an extra 5 minutes, add a fun fabric flower for an added punch. If you don't have time, don't ever think about it again - no big deal!
I love this more than just simply making a skirt because everything it attached - so much easier to create an outfit!
Seriously - loook at your watch. If you've got 20-30 minutes and a ballpoint needle, you can DO THIS!
Here’s the breakdown…
TIME: Like I said – about 20-30 minutes…unless you can’t decide on a fabric!
COST: About $2. TWO DOLLARS!!!! The only cost is the onesie because you probably have enough fabric on hand to make the skirt!
I think I need to go now because I want to make about 30 more before I go to bed.
Love it! Believe I will actually try this one…
Happy Thanksgiving!
I actually already had buying some onesies on my to-do list for today b/c I am going to make a onesie dress as a Christmas gift.
This tutorial had such awesome timing. Thanks!
Looking for a Christmas dress for my 3 mo. grand daughter.
This looks so easy and I have a felt dress from the thrift store.( It’s amazing how much material is on a formal for so little $$ ) Now to get the onesie.
Thanks for the help. I may even try a rosette for her.
that is sew simple and soooooo cuite your great keep at it
I’ve been doing this for years. I even use a t-shirt instead of a onsie as the girls grew older. Same method only without the under part. It is easy to make an Easter dress using a pastel tee and coordinating Easter print. Use a tank top for a 4th of July dress.Thankfully somethings never go out of style.
Me too Judy…they are sew fun to make for every holiday for such little cost!
I look for the onsies and t-shirts whenever I happen to be out shopping and justnaspdd them to my stash along with the fabric I collect..
Couldn’t you just attach the skirt/material to the onesie without cutting it.. Thinking it might leave the body length longer, and only 2 layers to sew through?
Yvonne – yes, you could definitely opt to do that and it’s very quick and easy. I just wanted mine to look more like a “real” dress so I changed it up. It’s fun to do something unexpected sometimes. =)
This is such a brilliant idea. So glad I was shown this site. I just have to try my luck and make one for my yr old great grand. She is so petite.
Thanks for the tute! I hadn’t thought of cutting the onsie in half and then resewing it. Brilliant!
I have made several of these onesies, without directions, but loved yours. I am befuddled a bit, what is a ballpoint needle? I just use my regular sewing needle. Please don’t laugh just have never heard of that needle. lol.
Hey Vinita! I would NEVER laugh at you … okay, who am I kidding, I’m from Dallas, we laugh at people…but you will exempt! =) When you go to the fabric store, go to the aisle where you buy regular needles. Look closely, you’ll see some labeled ‘ball point’ needles. These are for sewing stretchy fabrics. Just by changing the kind of needle, you’ll be amazed at how much better your projects turn out! (You can get cross-eyed learning about all the different types of needles, so I’m going to leave it at that…you’ll see them labeled, if not, ask a sales associate and they’ll point you to them.) Good luck – send photos!
This is just toooo cute!!!! Thank you so much for posting. It’s perfect for my new great-granddaughter to be. I can make TONS. heheh God bless
How about a tutorial for the rosette? – Great project!
Why not make a dress out of the top of the onesie, then put an elastic wastband on the bottom, trim with fabric for a coordinating outfit?
It would be darling to add ruffles to the dress and diaper cover.
Real cute idea. But I am wondering why not just attach the skirt to the onesie without cutting it in half? Maybe I am missing something. They didn’t have onesies when I was having babies. But I never thought I would be a great gran- nana at 57 either.LOL 3 grand children 4 and under and one great grand daughter.:-{}shhoooo
Beautiful! You’ve inspired me to start making a few dresses for my daughter. And step daughter. And God daughter! Oh boy. My hands will be full!
Excellent! Wish I had seen this when my girlie was bitty! Good thing my sis-in-law is about to have a baby girl! Now I have an excuse to make these adorable dresses!
My granddaughter my never wear pants again
Very cute!
do you have a length to use of material for different sizes?
Just finished making my first one! I am going to my cousin’s little girls 2nd bday tomorrow and this will make a perfect gift. I got the onesie for $1.50 at walmart. Everything else I had. Your instructions made it super easy to do so thanks
how did you make the matching flower on the front?
Thank you for this cute dress from a onesie. I’m going to make it for our newest arrival soon. Gladys
im looking 4 something not to hard to sew. so i can make one 4 my granddauthher
do you ko9wn if there is any one out there that dose plus size for 8 yrsold? this little could use them.