Guest Post- Summer Wardrobe Stretcher! From W/Love by Rach

Helllllooooo there!!  Today we have a super cute tutorial from Rachel, @ With love by Rach!  Have you been over to her blog?   She is fantastic!  She has cool hobbies like Geocaching?!  I want to try geocaching soo bad!  I even joined a forum.  She makes adorable clothes, and is a avid runner...I hate running, but I love it!  Well, enough of about me, here is Rachel sharing a great way to get more time out of those kids clothes!  Okay, I lied, one more thing...her cakes!!  Check them out!

What do you do with a top that is a little too short but fits every where else?  Find some scraps and turn it into a dress!

Step 1: Gather your materials.  You need:

• A purchased tank top.  I got mine on clearance at Wal-mart a couple months ago.  They have similar ones now for $2.50-$4.50.
• Cut 2 pieces of fabric for each layer
• Layer 1: 3.5" x 14"; this was approximately 4" longer than the width of my tank
• Layer 2: 3.5" x 16"; 2" longer than the previous layer
• Layer 3: 3" x 18"; 2" longer than the previous layer
• Ruffle: 2" x 27"; 1.5 times the length of layer 3

 Step 2: Hem the bottom of your ruffle and gather the top.  I used a 1/8" hemmer foot.

 Step 3: Attach the ruffle to layer 3.

• Sew the gathered edge of the ruffle to the bottom edge of layer 3 first with the wrong sides together using about  1/8" seam
• Press then sew with the right sides together using a 1/4" seam
• Top stitch close to the seam making sure to sew the edge of the seam on the inside in place.

 Step 5: Gather the top edge of layer 3, sew to layer 2 the same way you did in the previous step.

 Step 6: Gather the top edge of layer 2, sew to layer 1 the same way you did in the previous step.

Outside of ruffle and layers 1-3 sewn together

Inside view of ruffle and layers 1-3 sewn together

Step 7: Sew the front of the skirt to the back of the skirt using the same method as when you sewed the layers together.  Make sure you line up each layer.

 Step 8: Press the top edge under 1/4", then fold over and press another 1/4".  Stitch in place.

 Step 9: Place the wrong side of the skirt and tank together.  Line up the stitching line of your tank with the hem you just created on the skirt.  Carefully stitch over the stitching line of the tank.

 Step 10: The hem of the skirt will try to push your tank up, to correct this top stitch about 1/4" from your first stitching line.

 Congratulations, you're finished!

Notes: 

• My directions are for a 12-18 month dress, adjust your measurements accordingly.  
• All seam allowances are 1/4" unless noted otherwise. 
• Press between each step, it makes for a neater finished product.
• If you are making these for an older girl, you can either make your layers wider or use more layers.

Thanks for stopping by Rachel!  Don't be a stranger!