Dollar Store Dress: an easy, quick tutorial

I recently accepted a challenge to create a craft from items found at the dollar store (more about that in my Instagram post!) That is how this $2 dress was created! The style of my dollar store dress is literally the easiest to make and perfect for the hot summer days to come. Follow this beginner tutorial to see how it’s done.

This is a very adjustable toddler dress and should fit most kids around 1-2 years old. Jane is a small 14-month-old. It fit her well with a belt but is actually a little big on her still without it. I will definitely be adding more pictures to the bottom of this post as she grows into the dress!

She would not stop MOVING for the photo shoot so the photos are a little all over the place haha. She had wayyyy too much fun running around in her pretty new dollar store dress.

Materials Needed

Because I wanted to stick to my theme of upcycling, I couldn’t just go and buy craft supplies. I went looking for something that was already an item that I could alter and ABRACADABRA into something new. I went to Diaso (that’s the Japanese equivalent of a Dollar Store.) and spotted these fun, tropical bandanas that I they would be perfect for the job! Two bandanas for 100 yen each (100 yen = 1 USD) and I was good to go!

For this dress, I also used 2 lengths of ribbon (you really only need one, but I tied an extra around her waist) and some bias tape. I had both of those in my stash at home so I didn’t have to purchase them. If I hadn’t, the dollar store definitely had ribbon (shoelaces, a thin scarf, or other such string would also work) and bias tape is quite cheap as well.

Dollar Store Dress in 5 Easy Steps

I’m sure you have heard of the pillowcase dresses? Well, that’s the concept I used here. The only difference here is I was working with two flat squares instead of what is essentially a bag.

Step 1

To start I determined which edges of the bandanas would be the top and bottom and laid them out accordingly. Then I made matching notches in the top two corners of each one. These notches will become the armholes of the dress. I made them about 2 inches wide and 5 inches long, MINUS 1/4 inch or so for seam allowance. It’s important NOT to add any for seam allowance, because that would make the armhole too big! Cut out just one of them and use the corner piece as a pattern to cut out the rest.

Step 2

Once all four of the notches are cut out (that’s two on the top of each square) lay the pieces on top of each other, right sides together (that’s sewing lingo for inside out). Sew up the side seams from the bottom of the dress to the bottom of the armholes. DO NOT stitch together the armhole notches.

Step 3

This is the hardest part but don’t be intimidated, it’s still so so easy. Refer to my pictures for help. There are also some great bias tape video tutorials on Youtube if you get stuck.

Now that the sides are sewn together your 4 notches have become 2 notches.

Open up the bias tape and lay it face down along the raw edge of our notch. Line up the edge of the bias tape with the raw edge of the bandana and pin it in place. The bias tape will have a crease from where it was folded, you’re going to sew along that crease. Depending on the size of your tape it should be about 1/4 inch seam allowance.

Once that’s sewn in place, along the full length of the armhole, you will then fold it down and around to the inside of the dress. None of the bias tape should be visible from the outside of the dress. Pin it in place and stitch a clean straight line along the edge. This line of stitching will be visible on the outside. Repeat on both sides.

Step 4

With dress inside out, fold down the top inch or so of the dress. You need it only big enough to fit your ribbon through. Stitch along the edge making a long tube. Do the same on the back of the dress.

Final step for your dollar store dress!

Attach a safety pin to the end of your ribbon and feed it through both of the tubes. Lastly, tie a pretty bow where the two ends meet and your very own dollar store dress is runway ready!

As I stated above, I used a second length of ribbon to make a belt because the dress is still a little big for my daughter, but that’s not necessary at all.

We went to Jane’s favorite playground to get some pictures and she had such a fun time just running around in her new dress. She was being so dang goofy, we could not stop laughing. I would say she fully approves of her tropical dollar store dress!

If you make one for your daughter, be sure to tag @thatjochick on Instagram. I would love to see your dollar store dress and feature your work on my page!

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