How to Turn a Dress into a Romper

Learn how to turn a dress into a romper. This refashion sewing project is a fun summer project and is a really easy to to make a romper.

Have you ever looked at a dress and though that it would make the cutest romper? Do your kids or grandkids love to run and play in rompers? Do you love to wear rompers?

This is a tutorial to turn a dress into a romper. It’s a really quick and easy refashion sewing project, and it works for kids and adults if you get the right type of dress which I explain in this post.

How to Pick a Dress That Can Turn into a Romper

There are lots of different ways to turn a dress into a romper, but for this method you need a specific type of dress.

Look for a stretchy knit dress with a neck opening big enough to get in and out of. Also, the dress needs to be an a-line swing dress with lots of fabric at the bottom.

What is refashioning?

Refashioning is to fashion clothing again or differently. I usually use this to describe when I’m sewing clothing to fit different or to look different, but the majority of the item stays the same.

What is upcycling?

Upcycling is to reuse material to create something better than the original. I usually use this to describe when I’m sewing adult clothing into clothing for children or I’m sewing clothing into an accessory or house item.

Upcycling saves time, saves money, saves the environment, and saves memories.

Save time by reusing details from the original shirt. Save money by using something you already have.

Save the environment by keeping t-shirts out of the landfill. Save memories by reusing a favorite adult t-shirt for your toddler or child.

Love to Sew? Try one of these sewing projects!

Supplies

A dress that fits and can be put on and off by stepping into the neckline and pulling it up to the shoulders
Sewing tools
Sewing machine

Measuring

Have the person that will wear the romper put the dress on by stepping into the neckline and pulling it up to the shoulders. Place a safety pin near the top of the inseam through the front and back of the dress. Make sure there is enough room for the person to move and function with the inseam pinned.

Instructions

Have the person take the dress off. Measure from the bottom of the dress to the safety pin. Minus 1/2 inch for the seam allowance. Remove the safety pin.

Turn the dress right side out. Carefully lay it out flat so the hem of the front and the hem of the back are lined up. The front of dresses are usually a little wider than the back of dresses so it won’t fold nicely on the side seams. It also helps if you are looking at the back of the dress which usually has a center back seam that you can use as a guide for the center.

Mark the measurement you found in the last step on the dress. Mark an upside down “U” shape for the inseam. Think about the leg width and keep it uniform from the hem to the inseam mark and down the other side. Do not make the legs too skinny or it won’t be able to be worn. Go for a wide leg romper look to make movement easiest.

turn the dress right side out and draw in the inseam

After you mark the whole inseam, pin the two layers together.

Sew the inseam with a zigzag stitch or a serger. If you are serging you can tack the inseam at the hem and you are down.

If you are zigzagging then sew another row of zigzagging next to the first line in the seam allowance, and then cut right next to the second line of zigzag stitches to remove the fabric.

sew the inseam with a zigzag stitch or serger

Turn the romper right side out. You finished!

cut out the inseam and turn right side out

If you make something using this sewing project, I’d love to see! Please share it on social media with the hashtag #heatherhandmade and tag me!