Two T-Shirt Nightgown Tutorial


The name says it all for this adorable nightgown tutorial. We’ve made nightgowns out of pillowcases before, but a two T-shirt nightgown will be a first. Kristin, from Skirt as Top, came up with these snuggly sleepers and is here to tell you how to make them yourself. I think next I’m going to have to tackle her Fruit Stripe Skirt and Sunshine Dress, and then the Pleated Bundt Pillows for my new home makeover.

Grab your supplies and let’s get started…

hi, i’m kristin from skirt as top and i’m happy to be here sharing my two t-shirt nightgown tutorial with you today! this tutorial originally appeared as a part of miriam and miranda’sstretch yourself” series, which was a really fun and comprehensive series on learning to sew with knits. as part of the series, my assignment was to sew “loungewear,” and the first project that popped into my head was a simple nightgown for my daughter. she wants to wear a nightgown to bed every night, the cozier the better, and cycles through them so often hers are starting to show some wear. i wanted to put a little twist on a basic design, use what I had, keep it simple yet fun and modern. presenting the two t-shirt nightgown!

this nightgown is modeled after her favorite store-bought one, and also inspired by Heather. T’s made from two of my husband’s gray t-shirts that didn’t fit him quite right, which i stamped with sparkly pink hearts and stars (a la Celina). the style of it is quite versatile though; it could just as easily be a daytime dress!

if you already know how to draft a simple shirt pattern in your child’s size or learned how from either Mim or Miranda’s tutorials, do that first. i just used one of my favorite patterns, Rae’s Flashback Skinny Tee (FBST) as a base. this tutorial will make a nightgown likely fit up to a size 5.

let’s get started!

SUPPLIES

  • two adult size t-shirts (one will turn into the bodice and sleeves, one will be the skirt – mine were men’s large)
  • rib knit or stretchy binding material (mine didn’t have quite enough stretch)
  • if stamping, also gather sticky back foam sheets, scrap cardboard, and fabric paint

INSTRUCTIONS
cut out the proper size of flashback skinny tee, or draft your own shirt pattern. create the nightgown’s bodice pattern by measuring 1″ down from the armpit and drawing a horizontal line onto tracing paper. trace the rest of the pattern, marking the fold and neckline of the original.

if all you have is boring man shirts like i did, stamping is a great way to add personality. it may seem tedious, but i always think it’s really relaxing! first, draw an image onto the sticky foam. Â simple is good with this technique. cut one out, then use it as a template to cut another. stick those together for a double layer of foam. stick those to the cardboard, and you can fold up part of the cardboard backing as a handle if you want.

i mixed neon pink and glitter paint together on a plastic lid, then used a foam brush to apply the paint to the stamp – this helps keep it even. then start stamping the bodies of your t-shirts! let the stamps dry, then heat set the paint by tossing it in the dryer or hitting it with an iron. my nightgown’s sleeves have a slight puff at the shoulder – i used a technique similar to Rae’s tutorial, but I only wanted the shoulder puffed rather than the whole sleeve. to do that, i just angled the top of the pattern away from the fold by 1″, but had the bottom of the sleeve match the fold for its normal width at the hem. as i cut, i extended the shoulder line from the pattern, then used that cut sleeve as a pattern for the second one to make sure they matched.

cut the sleeves out, then add notches just down from the top curve of the shoulder to guide where to place your basting stitches. You can also add a little notch right at the top shoulder fold to help place it at the shoulder seam later.

cut out your front and back bodice pieces, then sew or serge shoulder seams right sides together.

sew two rows of basting stitches at 1/4″ and 1/2″ between the notches on your sleeve. Â pull bobbin thread to gather, lay the bodice flat and pin to the armhole opening, right sides together. Â sew/serge the sleeve on, then remove basting stitches.

pin the sleeves right sides together and sew, continuing down each short little side seam.

your bodice is ready for a skirt!

grab your second t-shirt. use a straight edge and rotary cutter (or mark and cut with scissors) to cut it off evenly under the armpits – this will become your skirt, already hemmed and everything! if you’re making this nightgown for a smaller girl, estimate your skirt length based on a dress she already owns. gather the top of the skirt with two rows of basting stitches, pin to the bodice at the side seams, then distribute the gathers evenly and pin the bodice to the skirt, right sides together. sew/serge.

remove the basting stitches below your seam, and press.

bind neckline and sleeves using your favorite method, Rae’s pattern instructions, or Mim’s finishing techniques.

and you’re done! easy, right? might need to whip a couple more up!

she didn’t want to take it off. in fact, she wore it all day. dance party time.

i love it when she has such a fun reaction to what i make. did i mention the pink was her idea?

come visit me at skirt as top to see what else i’m up to!
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7 Comments

Jacinta

Nightgown?? I’m making those for day wear with some stockings or leggings for out upcoming (Australian) winter!! Awesome idea!! ;)Thanks guys 🙂

Reply
kristin

Thanks for featuring my project, ladies!! Totally works as a dress or a nightgown, for sure. Happy sewing everyone! 🙂

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rebecca

I’m taking a sewing class this Saturday and hope to make some of this awesomeness you have going on here! Thanks for posting!

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