how to: bandana shirt/dress for girls

This bandana shirt is one of the easiest-peasiest and cutest things to make! The daughter of one of the Bunco Babes in my bunco group had this on just before Christmas. Hers was a combo of 1 green and 1 red bandana and ribbons with a Christmas-y motif, like trees or something. She had a white turtleneck under it and black tights on the bottom. I don't have a daughter, but if I did, she'd be in that outfit! So I made one for my niece instead, who likes dresses and pink and maybe even pink dresses.
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Here's the deal:
2 standard-bandanas and 6 yds. of 1/2" cotton twill tape. I found both of these items at Michael's. The twill tape was on a 9-yd spool, Wrights brand.
(1) Line up the top and side edges of both bandanas. Mark 9" down from top edge on both sides to leave room for armholes.
(2) Sew bandanas together on sides from your mark to the bottom edge.
(3) Fold down top edges 2" (toward wrong side) and finger press. I honestly didn't measure this; I just eyeballed it and made both bandanas match. Just make sure you have a enough room to thread your ribbon and a sufficient seam allowance (mine are always 3/8").
(4) Sew across your folded edges as pictured. Don't sew the 2 pieces together - pull one out of the way while you're sewing the other (don' t think I needed to mention this, but you never know!).
(5) Not pictured, but finish the edges of your tape/ribbon somehow so they don't fray excessively when washed. I wanted a little smidge of a fray, so I just staystitched the twill tape about 1/4" from the edge on each of the 4 ends.
(6) Thread the tape/ribbon through the channels at the top. Tie ends in a bow. The bows and gather can be adjusted as necessary when it's on.
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I'm such a hippie at heart that I really thought I could get away with wearing this shirt with jeans and a white fitted long-sleever. It fit, but then I *really* look like I'm 38 going on 12 - which I pretty much do regardless of what I'm wearing...but there are certainly worse things in the world!

Comments

[kara]

arg! too cute! i need to make one of these for my niece. thanks:)

[deanS]

Cool project kind of reminds me of a top one of the girls in the movie "Father Goose" wore. I believe for that top the corners were just knotted together which might make for a nice variation. Also I could swear there was a way to make a halter top from bandannas in the 60-70's