I’ve been wanting to offer another upcycled shirt dress for a while now.

This past weekend I found some time…

From a man’s button down shirt, to a simple modern dress for your little girl.  I kept the buttons running down the front, and pulled in the waist for some shape.  Simply pull it over her head for easy dressing.

Isabella was especially thrilled when I added this sweet Russian doll applique, her favorite detail!

This upcycled Russion doll dress is now available in our shop!

size 12 months up to size 6

As you may know, I love upcycling clothes.

I recently pulled a pair of jeans from my closet that I wasn’t wearing. I cut them and hemmed them to make a pair of shorts for myself.

I do this all the time, for myself, and for my kids.  When their pants get too short and/or worn out in the knees, yet still fit around the waist,  I turn them into shorts. Such an easy project, and excellent way to save a few bucks.

I was just about to toss the cut off leg bottoms, when it occurred to me that perhaps they could be used as well.

I cut each leg to make 2 squares. I sewed each side, put in an elastic waist, and a new skirt for Isabella was born!

So, one pair of unused jeans turned into 2 very usable pieces just in time for summer!

“Should not have assumed 6 year old daughter, Isabella, would be ok with just wearing one of her dresses already in her closet for Easter. No, she desperately wants an Easter dress. I was just informed of this, 3 days before, preferably one with eggs on it.”

If you follow us on facebook, you may have read that status update.

Thought I’d follow up with the rest of the story…

I didn’t have time to order fabric, had nothing on hand, and just didn’t feel like shopping. Fortunately, I rediscovered an old dress of mine I had in my  closet.  I got it for a few bucks and wore it a couple of times only to decide I didn’t really like it on me after all.   I thought, however, that it would be perfect for Isabella.  It was actually an easy alteration. I adjusted the straps, took in the sides, chopped off the bottom,  sewed on the ruffle, and sighed a great sigh of relief!

Easter morning I woke up at 6 am to a crashing noise.  It was Isabella getting her dress down from high up in her closet. She was ready to see what the Easter bunny left for her in the living room, but didn’t want to begin her hunt without her dress on.  (who would?)

We had a great day filled with warm sunshine and a fun family gathering.

Isabella was so pleased and proud to wear her Easter dress, even without the eggs on it.

We’re so excited to be the “featured fab find” today on poshlittle.com! Posh Little is a fantastic site for moms and moms-to be.

The post is about our upcycled daddy’s shirt-dress. We’ve already had moms send us their husbands shirt to be transformed into dresses for their daughters. If you’d like to surprise your husband with a daddy’s shirt dress for Father’s Day visit our Etsy shop.

Check out the post here.

We recently received a bag of clothes as a donation for up-cycling.  In it, was a black and white dress, in perfect condition, just begging for a change.   I wish I took a  picture of the dress to give the before and after effect, but got cutting without thinking about it.  In any case, here is the new, reincarnated  baby summer dress!

The straps are adjustable  and tie at the front.  The best part is that it will grow with her. This year, a dress, next year, a top!

I have enough fabric for 3 , maybe 4 dresses.   We offer it in size 3-6 months, 6-12,  12-18  and 2T.  Bloomers (black with white polka dots) are  sold separately.

The idea of up cycling has been brewing in my mind for quite sometime now, but I never got around to actually making it happen.  I just love the idea of taking something that is not being used and giving it new life.

Our neighbour friend, Wiley, popped by the other night with an arm full of perfectly good shirts he no longer was using. Eddie (my husband) took a few, and  suggested I take the rest to use for sewing. I was immediately motivated, and within 24 hours I had this sweet little number we all call the “Wiley dress”

Now, I must admit I’m obsessing a bit.

Here’s another.

before.

and after.

My favorite part is the bottom. I couldn’t quite get this one long enough, so I cut the the strip that holds the buttons and button holes and sewed it around to add length.

In order to save my daughter from a closet full of upcycled daddy shirts, I thought it would make a fun, unique and not to mention green addition for redpajamas.

My daddy’s shirt dress.. coming soon.