Girl’s Sweater Dress Tutorial

Learn how to sew a girls dress using an old sweater!  This tutorial will show you how to refashion the sweater and add a circle skirt to make a pretty new dress!

Valentine’s day is just around the corner and I wanted to get something new made for my missy.  I had this hot pink quilted knit in my stash- bought it in the fall and I’ve been itching to use it.  My original intention was to make some sort of jacket with the fabric, but Spring will be here soon (along with warmer temps) and I probably will not get to a jacket this year.  So the next best thing?  A pretty little dress for her Valentine’s Day party!

I really like how this dress turned out.  Being able to reuse the original neckline and cuffs of the sweater really made the dress look like something I might have bought.

I will say, this old sweater was kind of funky to work with.  I wasn’t sure whether to stretch the ribs of the fabric out before cutting; or to cut it just as it came out of the dryer.  Turns out- don’t stretch the fabric.  I did and it’s slightly more slim fitting than I imagined it would be.

The ribbed detail of the fabric was also not exactly straight, (it kind of meandered off at an angle) but somehow with the appliqued heart and attaching of the skirt, it helped straighten the vertical lines out.  I had her try the sweater on at multiple stages to make sure it was going to work and it looked so darling at the sweater vest stage, I almost stopped there.

My missy liked the look of the sweater vest too, so I guess I need to go through my old sweater drawer again or be on the lookout for fabric that would work for a vest.  (This sweater was perfect for a sweater vest- nice and thick, plus a neutral color.)

The grey and pink look so pretty together in real life!  I have not actually hemmed the skirt yet.  I better get moving on that.  I still haven’t decided if I want to turn the hem up and stitch or just serge along the bottom.  (I do have hot pink serger thread.)

Such a sweet, sweet kitty we have here- my parents “re-homed” their 17 year old barn cats to our property.  I knew Callie would join us in our photo shoot if we went outside.  She is so affectionate- all you have to do is hold your hand out and she will pet herself, lol! (Just don’t try to pick her up.) I imagine you will be seeing more of her in future pictures….

Ready to make this dress?
You need:

• Sweater to upcycle
• T-shirt that fits (or your favorite t-shirt pattern)
• Tracing wheel and paper
• Fabric marker
• Additional fabric
• String or twine that does not stretch
• Basic sewing supplies

1. Use the right needle for the fabric you are working with.
2. When sewing with stretchy knits, you may need to use a zig zag stitch, lengthen your straight stitch and/or use a walking foot.  (I was able to get away with a straight stitch and a walking foot.
3. Depending on the fabric you use, you may need to finish the seams and/or topstitch.  (I will leave it up to you to decide.)
4. The seam allowance used in this tutorial is 1/4 inch.  You are welcome to use a larger seam allowance, you will just need to adjust it in my calculations.

Click here for the sewing instructions.