DIY Bandana Dress

Recently a new Jo-Ann's Fabric and Crafts Store opened in a mall in our area, and of course I had to go and check it out.  I wasn't looking for anything in particular, just checking out the new kid on the block.

Right away I could easily see that this place will empty my pockets on occasion.  Probably on many occasions.

The difference between Jo-Ann's and many other craft stores is that this store offers aisles and aisles of fabrics, whereas the others are more focused on paper, floral, and home decor crafting.

Throughout the store there are free craft idea cards hanging within the aisles.  I picked up a card for a Do-It-Yourself child's bandana dress.  This little dress cost me only about $4.50 to make, and is oh so cute.

There are probably even cheaper places to buy the bandanas too, like Dollar Stores and Wal-Mart, and if you buy your ribbon by the yard, I could see the price coming down to about $2.50.  Hey, why not just make a dozen of these?  That's like a whole wardrobe, right?

Supplies required:

2 bandanas
1 1/2 to 2 yards of coordinating ribbon, depending how large you want the ties to be
measuring tape
sewing maching
1 adorable toddler of your choice

Directions:

1.  Measure from the top of the child's shoulder to the bottom of his/her armpit and add about 2 or 2 1/2 inches to that measurement for the arm openings.  Placing right sides together, sew both side seams from the bottom up, leaving the arm hole open.  Sew the seams large enough to hide any wording on the bandanas.  Iron the seams open and flat, including the arm hole openings.

2.  Fold the neck edge of each bandana over, iron it, and then sew near the edge to create a casing for the ribbons.

                     

3.  Cut two pieces of ribbon, each about 3/4 yard.  Pin a safety pin to the end of one piece and thread it through the front neck casing.  Do the same for the second piece of ribbon and the back neck casing.  Remove the pin.  Tie a bow at each shoulder.

4.  Now add the cutest little girl you can find, along with a shirt, tights, and some snazzy boots.  This project literally takes only about 10 minutes.  I also bought two blue bandanas and some red and white ribbon for the patriotic holidays coming up soon.

This little number was a stunner at the daycare the next day.  That is just one adorable fashion statement, don't you think?