Tank Top to Baby/Toddler Dress

I got this tank top for $0.10 at a church rummage sale and thought it would make a cute summer dress for Ada. I know you're not going to have the same tank, but you can use the same basic concepts and make one for your little one! It's still a little big on her, I didn't mean for it to be so revealing, but hey, if you've got it, flaunt it, right?

Step 1: The first thing we're going to do is slim up the top a bit and give it more of an A-line shape. Turn your tank top inside out and put pins along the edges where you want the new seam to go. Take in more fabric near the arm holes and less near the bottom to give is a cute A shape. Sew up your new sides.

Step 2: Turn your dress right side out again. Now we're going to make the piece across the chest the right size. We're going to make a box pleat (by making two folds that come together in the center) to shorten the width of the dress across the chest. Make your pleats bigger or smaller depending on the size of your little one. To secure your pleat sew across the two folds in two different places, making sure to back stitch.

Step 3: Now for the back and adjusting the straps. Cut the straps off the back. Make another box pleat in the center of the back so that the dress is the correct size around your tot. Pin in place.

 Take your straps and bring them down to the pleat you just made. Pull them down until the straps are the right length for your kid. (You can just guess or use another piece of clothing that fits as your guide). Pin them in place.

This picture just shows how much of the straps I didn't use. Once everything is pinned in place, sew the straps and the pleats in two different places making sure to back stitch. Trim off the excess strap fabric.

Step 4: Cut the bottom of the tank top off to the length you want. Then you can either hem it up, or if you have a serger, you can do the lettuce edge effect like I did. If you have enough fabric leftover, you can make a matching headband like I did!

Front

Back