3 Bandanas=Perfect Dress!
Tot Tuesday is a weekly feature where I highlight a special kids activity, frugal recipe for kids, kids tutorial, etc.
Many of you know that I am the section editor for the What to Buy section on the popular site Momtastic. I link to my articles on Momtastic all the time, but I’m not sure how many of you have really ventured throughout the site. There are some really great articles on Momtastic, and some great DIY and tutorials as well.
Last week, I noticed this adorable St. Patty’s Bandana dress and I knew I definitely wanted to try out a dress in this style.
The dress called for a technique known as “shirring”, which I’ve never been successful with in the past.
I was at Hobby Lobby earlier though and some $.99 bandanas were calling my name in the checkout line!
So I brought them home and washed them and tried to tackle this dress during naptime!
The Supplies
Hand wind the bobbin!
Lines to gauge where to sew. When shirring it can be hard to go in a straight line while holding the fabric taut.
My straps...the measurements made them a bit too long for Lizzie, so I just made it into a halter.
Right about this point, my sewing machine decided it hated me.
It was about this point that my sewing machine decided that it no longer wanted to cooperate with me any longer. The next, oh 18 rows, were NOT fun…but I got the job done (anyone want to buy me a new sewing machine though?)!
Isn't she gorgeous! Such an easy, frugal way to make a fun dress!
As you can tell, Lizzie can make anything look good! I’m still pretty proud of this dress. Although, I might want a new machine before I ever try shirring again!
See the complete instructions on Momtastic: DIY: St Patty’s Bandana Dress
Do you have any tips or tricks to help with shirring? Do you think you’ll try this dress? I bet with a more capable machine, I could easily make one of these for every occasion!
Katie R. says
March 15, 2011 at 4:22 pmHow cute is that!? Lizzie is such a great little model too. 🙂
Heather says
March 15, 2011 at 7:14 pmThanks Katie. She is such a great model. The very next picture on my calendar is Noah jumping in front of her shirtless, LOL
Ala says
March 15, 2011 at 8:31 pmI love that! She is the cutest.
Heather says
March 15, 2011 at 8:59 pmThanks!
Lesli says
March 16, 2011 at 9:11 amTHAT is adorable! Great job! I’m gonna share with my sister and see if I can get her to make me one LOL I do NOT sew lol
Jennifer says
March 27, 2011 at 4:12 pmSuch a cute idea! I would just use some elastic instead of trying to shirr, I find it easier and the dress could last last to tunic and maybe top depending on how your kiddo grows. Can’t wait to share this idea!
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Heather says
March 28, 2011 at 10:25 amHmm, I didn’t think about that. Maybe just some elastic up top and then close to her waist? That would be cute!
Ellen S says
May 22, 2011 at 1:08 amI made this for my 3 year old tonight and loved it! She informed me last night she wanted me to make a blue dress and I thought of this tute. She picked out her bandanas and watched every step of the way! As far as shirring goes, I gave it a go after many failed attempts! I’ve been scouring online how to’s and everyone kept saying it was so easy, but not for me! I finally discovered my problem was the design of my machine. I use a Brother with a drop in bobbin. I found some how to’s by searching “shirring with a brother” and found a fix it method that made it work for me. I had to adjust the bobbin tension manually. I wish I saved the links, I’d share if I did, but perhaps this is also why you are having problems? Thanks for the great tutorial, my daughter loves her dress.
Heather says
May 22, 2011 at 12:48 pmI’m so glad she loves it!!! That’s awesome. My machine isn’t a brother, but I didn’t think to google my actual machine name and problems with shirring. Will definitely do that now!
jackie says
February 29, 2012 at 11:01 amThis is really cute! I bet you could put buttons on the dress & add button holes to the straps to make it more versatile.
Heather says
February 29, 2012 at 11:13 amI actually almost did that to a similar outfit I made the other day!
Jaxon says
January 8, 2017 at 9:45 pmArtlices like this make life so much simpler.