The Bandana Dress

What do you get when you have 2 bandanna's and new shirring skills?

Another really cute easy dress!

There's one hem, and one simple measurements to take.  Just 2 bandana sewn together and shirred at the top.  This is more like a quick how to, than a tutorial.  Working with bandanas takes a lot of "eyeballing it".

Materials:

2 bandanas

sewing machine

elastic thread

ribbon (for straps)

Measure your subject around the chest.  Divide in half.  Add 7 inches. 

My little girls measurements were 22 inches. (she's about a 3T) So I need each piece to be 18 inches wide.

That turned out roughly to the edge of the printed border give or take a 1/4 inch on each side, so I made the decision to sew the side seams on that border.  Since we are shirring, you can give or take a little.  Use your instinct on where to sew up your side seams.

Turn your bandannas so that right sides are touching.  Most bandannas have a "made in china" stamp.  Make sure that this writing is at the top of your dress. Sew up the seams.  Then I cut the excess of with pinking shears and pressed out the seam.

 Fold over the top so your "made in china" stamp will be on the inside of the dress. Stitch it.
There's no need to hem the dress at the bottom, unless you want it shorter.  It's all about personal preference.

 I shirred 12 lines 1/2 inch apart on the top of the dress.  If you don't know about shirring yet, you can check out this post.

I love halters because they are so easy and they look good too.  I sewed on double sided satin ribbons to the front.

FYI: Wal Mart has the best bandanas EVER.  They are made of a SOFT cotton that seems to have a pretty decent thread count.  They also have a huge selection of different colors and patterns. Oh, and they are $1.

 

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