Making things makes life better: The Men's Shirt.

Finally! My to-sew list just got a little shorter. I have successfully repurposed a men's dress shirt into a little girl's summer dress!

If you know me at all, you know I'm horrible at following tutorials. I usually give up, and figure it out myself. This is typically followed by grumpiness, cursing, a second (or third) Cherry Coke, and swearing off sewing for the rest of my life. Dramatic, I know.

But, typically following that, is an adorable handmade goodie that I'm quite proud of. I'm nothing, if not consistent.

This dress was actually made for the girls' friend, Grace, for her 2nd birthday, but my girls always test out other people's gifts...

First I started with this tutorial and bailed when the sleeves drove me to near tears. I mean, she actually wanted me to measure and draw out a pattern... the nerve...

 I decided to go sleeveless (telling myself it was a choice isn't as embarrassing) and used this as my guide. But I was too lazy to do a chest band or criss-cross straps. And then I realized it was going to be too short, so I added the band around the bottom.

 After these photos, I sewed the bottom band shut and left the top buttons alone, so it could be unbuttoned.

Cute, huh? And the best part? This shirt once belonged to Grace's father. Happy Birthday, Grace - you adorable little thing!