Two Become One – Free T-shirt Dress Pattern

Free dress pattern.  Can be made to look like separates with different fabrics in the top and skirt, or like a traditional dress with the same fabric throughout.  Built in stretch belt.

Need a comfy every day dress?  One that looks good no matter where you go, and one that can take on the look of separates or be sewn in the same fabric throughout?  Then the Two Become One Dress is for you.

I became fascinated with this style of dress just recently.  I love the casual look, like a t-shirt and a skirt, but without the fuss of having to make sure both matching pieces are clean and ironed at the same time (lazy I know).  Now I can just grab it off the hanger, slip it over my head and rush on out – anywhere.  Of course, you can also make it throughout in the same fabric so it looks more like an obvious dress if you like and I think that would look great too – I'd really love to see some of your examples you sew.

Free dress pattern.  Can be made to look like separates with different fabrics in the top and skirt, or like a traditional dress with the same fabric throughout.  Built in stretch belt.

Features:

  • a t-shirt style bodice with scoop neck and short sleeves, and a straight skirt, joined at the waist with a gathered belt-style band for fit, comfort and style.
  • No zippers or closures, just pull it on and go.
  • Mix and match the colors and fabrics or make in the same fabric top and bottom.
  • Gathered piece at the waist for a slimming look. A contrast would look good here too if you made the top and bottom the same.
  • Sizes from 31 to 48 inch bust.
  • Easy to fit, just take in the side seams to suit your shape.
  • Suitable for knit fabrics only.
  • Full written and photo instructions.

Free dress pattern.  Can be made to look like separates with different fabrics in the top and skirt, or like a traditional dress with the same fabric throughout.  Built in stretch belt.

How to sew the Two Become One T-shirt Dress Pattern

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Download the Two Become One Dress Pattern

Download your Two Become One Dress pattern pieces and instructions here.  The pattern can be downloaded from my design account at Payhip.  If you have any trouble downloading, opening or printing the pattern, please see this post - How to download PDF sewing patterns.

I love how this dress can be made to look like a t-shirt and skirt with belt, or how you can make it to look like a regular dress.

(Abbreviated instructions and small pictures. More photos and details included in the pattern download and PDF instructions.)

  • With RST, match the bodice shoulder seams and stitch.
  • Find the center of the sleeve, match it with the shoulder seam. Pin the sleeve in place easing around the curves.  Stitch, neaten and press. I love how this dress can be made to look like a t-shirt and skirt with belt, or how you can make it to look like a regular dress.
  • RST, pin and sew the skirt front and back to the bottom of the bodice front and back at the waist seam, easing where necessary to fit.
  • RST, match the under arm seam, the waist seam and the bottom of the skirt on each side.  Pin then stitch from the edge of the sleeve all the way down to the bottom of the skirt.  Repeat for both sides.
  • Check for fit.  Pin out any alterations, baste and try again.  Once happy with the fit, trim and press seams.I love how this dress can be made to look like a t-shirt and skirt with belt, or how you can make it to look like a regular dress.

  • Finish the bottom edge of the sleeves with a ½ inch seam.  Use a stretch stitch, or finish with a twin needle.  You can read here about how to finish hems on knits and how to use a twin needle.
  • With RST, stitch across the short end of the neckline binding.  Fold it in half with WRONG sides together along the length, and press.
  • Pin your binding around the neckline, RST, matching the quarter marking pins.  Pin in between where needed.
  • Stitch the neckline binding in place, stretching the binding to match the length of the neckline as you sew.

I love how this dress can be made to look like a t-shirt and skirt with belt, or how you can make it to look like a regular dress.

  • Cut the band for your waist band.
  • RST, join the band at the short side.  Mark a line half way along the piece, opposite the seam you just sewed.  The seam line and the line you just marked are your side seams.
  • Cut the two pieces of narrow or clear elastic.
  • On the inside of the band seam allowance, stretch the elastic as you sew, and sew the elastic in place with a wide zig-zag or triple stretch stitch. Repeat for the other side, stitching the elastic to the wrong side over the line you marked in the previous step.
  • Turn over the top and bottom of your band ½ inch and stitch all the way round.
  • Try on the dress and move the waist band into place.  Decide where you want it, line up the seams on the dress with the seams on the band and pin in place.
  • Stitch from the right side, along the side seams to hold the band in place.
  • Try on the dress and check the length.  Mark where you want the hem to fall and pin in place.  Finish the bottom hemline.

Free dress pattern.  I love how this dress can be made to look like a t-shirt and skirt with belt, or how you can make it to look like a regular dress.

Opt In Image
Download the Two Become One Dress Pattern

Download your Two Become One Dress pattern pieces and instructions here.  The pattern can be downloaded from my design account at Payhip.  If you have any trouble downloading, opening or printing the pattern, please see this post - How to download PDF sewing patterns.

I would really love to see what you make with this idea and pattern – either a t-shirt and skirt like in my examples, or a full dress, or a dress with a contrast waist band. Do share by taking a couple of snaps and uploading them to the project page on Craftsy and link them to the pattern.  Thanks.

Free dress pattern.  Can be made to look like separates with different fabrics in the top and skirt, or like a traditional dress with the same fabric throughout.  Built in stretch belt.


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LynneDe
LynneDe

Nice Idea! Thank you for sharing this.

I’m wondering, since I have some Tee’s that I like, and smaller fabric scraps that might work, why couldn’t I just add the skirt portion to the bottom of them, and go from there until/unless I have a chance to do a full dress? Hmmm, I’m going to have to check that idea out. Blessings!

LynneDe
LynneDe

Nice Idea! Thank you for sharing this.

I’m wondering, since I have some Tee’s that I like, and smaller fabric scraps that might work, why couldn’t I just add the skirt portion to the bottom of them, and go from there until/unless I have a chance to do a full dress? Hmmm, I’m going to have to check that idea out. Blessings!

Xin
Xin

Hmm, I wonder if it would work to make the dress then work up a few different waist bands to wear as belts, sort of mix and match?

Also, is the cut of this dress such that in-seam pockets could be added, or is it too close fitting for pockets?

Colleen Halverson
Colleen Halverson

Thank you for this pattern! Anxious to try this out for spring and summer dresses

Julie B
Julie B

Going to give this one a try! I was gifted a box of all sorts of knit fabric — here’s hoping there are some pieces that will work. 🙂

Dee Raymond
Dee Raymond

Thanks for the link to the article about Gwen’s card sets. I have my fingers crossed that I’ll be the lucky US winner!

Dee Raymond
Dee Raymond

Deby, thanks so much for sharing your pattern making skills with us. I loved that you shared where you purchased the fabric for your 30 minute skirt and I was wondering if you purchase all of your print knits from them.

If you have other sources for knit fabrics would you please share them also?

I really like the pink/black print and the aqua print that you used for the bottom of this dress. Actually I like all of the knit prints that you used. ;->

The knit that you used for the 30 minute skirt was a cotton knit with 4 way stretch. Do you always use cotton 4 way stretch knits or do you also use other types of knits such as jersey and those with just crosswise stretch?

Thanks,

Dee from the Florida Space Coast

Deby at So Sew Easy
Active Member
Reply to  Dee Raymond

It really depends on what I can find. My local fabric shop doesn’t have much choice but they do sometimes buy a big bag of remnants and I often find pieces in there. So the skirts on both of these dresses, and my recent maxi skirt, were all from pieces of random knit fabric found in the remnant bin. So I just have to work with what I can find most of the time and make a project to suit the fabric. When I do buy online, I really like Fabric.com for rices and choice, and I usually buy the fabric I like for my stash and then develop a pattern around it rather than choose a pattern and try to find fabric. So there is no real pattern to what I buy, I just buy prints and colors I like, whatever the stretch. Some projects work better with stretch in one direction, some better with both. I’m still at trial and error stage.

Dee Raymond
Dee Raymond

Thanks for the info Deby. It’s been so long since I’ve purchased knit fabric that it’ll be fun to see what’s out there. In the past, I always bought 1 1/4 yards of 60″ wide to make a top and 2 yards to make a dress like this one. And if I found a print that I really liked, I’d buy 3 yards which would give me the leeway to make just about anything. ;->

Deby at So Sew Easy
Active Member
Reply to  Dee Raymond

Those are a good rule of thumb. Did you see the fabric buying cards that Gwen devised? See checked more than 10,000 patterns – that’s some dedication!

Dee Raymond
Dee Raymond

I must have missed those. Would you please point me in the right direction?

Deby at So Sew Easy
Active Member
Reply to  Dee Raymond

There is an article here about them, along with pattern matching, and also a chance to win a set of cards too.

Mckenzie
Mckenzie

The dress is absolutely adorable. Thank you very much

Laura | Baking Outside the Box

This dress is so cute and practical. Perfect for summer. Thank you for your hard work and lovely site.

Deby at So Sew Easy
Active Member

Thanks for dropping in Laura, I’m interrupting my sewing this afternoon to try the Coconut Chicken Tenders I found on your site – look delicious. So glad you left a comment and I followed through to your site.

Steff
Steff

Hi Debbie,
I just found your blog and I am so excited to try some new patterns. I have always been reluctant to sew knits. I am looking forward to using up some of my stash. Thank you for your very detailed, basic explanations. I also love your dental floss idea for gathering. I can’t wait to try it. I was cracking up at your description of your frustration when the gathering thread breaking because that always happens to me. : ) Keep the great tutorials and patterns coming. God bless.

Deby at So Sew Easy
Active Member
Reply to  Steff

Hi Steff, and welcome. I hope you’ll get some success with my patterns and tutorials. I’m a big fan of making things easy where I can and saving sewing time and frustration!

Diane Cullum
Diane Cullum

Deby, you look so great in this dress (the aqua one)! You are very pretty and the color is amazing on you! I love the pattern; thank you! I’m too busy to make it right now but I want to so bad! I’m off to sew some horses for my etsy shop orders. The sooner I get them done, the sooner I can make your dress!

Thank you,
Diane

Deby at So Sew Easy
Active Member
Reply to  Diane Cullum

Thanks Diane, you’re very kind.

smonakey
smonakey

This is great – I see myself living in this dress all summer long! Thank you for yet another great pattern.

ROBIN, HUNTSVILLE TX
ROBIN, HUNTSVILLE TX

Another super cute idea. Thanks so much!

Nancy Zorn MIcke
Nancy Zorn MIcke

Hi Deby,
I’m new to your blog and am excited to try your patterns. I’ve been sewing for many years, and I wonder – would it work to take a ready-made T-shirt and add the waistband and skirt to the bottom? Might be fun to try!

Deby at So Sew Easy
Active Member

Absolutely it would, no reason why not at all. Depending on the cut of the t-shirt, you might want to give it a little shape in the side seams in case it comes out a bit too baggy at the waist, but that’s just a style decision. I hope it turns out well for you.

Lynda Schuch
Lynda Schuch

Hi there, I think your dress is lovely and you are gorgeous. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. I have been sewing for many years, and I have learned many good ideas, easy, quick, and neat ways of doing different things. Thank you Lynda

Deby at So Sew Easy
Active Member
Reply to  Lynda Schuch

I’m mostly just making things up as I go along, trying to find ways to make things quicker or easier. We all don’t get as much sewing time as we like so anything that can gt us better results in a shorter time is a winner!

Anna
Anna

Debby, I thank you for expressing yourself so clear for someone like me who is a beginner to this sewing industry…It is interesting to note that you just started and I can imagine myself as a beginning with so much going on in my head which will need practice! practice! practice as i read through those exciting discoveries from you and other sites…thank God for all those beautiful women with such a great potentials to clothe the human race with their intricate skills of sewing…keep up the good work…you are an inspiration to me

sewruth

Thanks Debbie – what a great idea! Wish we had the weather to wear like yours

Deby at So Sew Easy
Active Member
Reply to  sewruth

Yes I’m lucky. We have summer every day. Apart from the hurricanes. I was only just reading about your green dress. You are so brave to tackle anything rated as advanced and what you’ve sewn is amazing. But well, sometimes your heart isn’t in it any more. I have several (well more than several) utter disasters in the ‘very easy’ vogue rating. But I admit most is down to the complete rushing-in-without-a-muslin effect. And I’m still very new…Thanks for dropping in to say hello.

Theresa Diaz Gray
Theresa Diaz Gray

I’m going to make this one today. Because of my short waist, I think it may be best to either make it all one fabric or make the waistband the same as the top.
Thanks for another cool pattern.

regards,

Theresa

Deby at So Sew Easy
Active Member

I’ll be interested to see how it works out for you Theresa.

Deirdre
Deirdre

Thank you for kindness in sharing your lovely patterns.

France
France

That dress is very beautiful! Every week I come here to read about your latest creation and I’m always amazed by how much you can do in a week. All your creations are beautiful but I like this one even more. 🙂

Deby at So Sew Easy
Active Member
Reply to  France

Sometimes, well most of the time, there aren’t enough hours in the week for all the things I have in my head and want to get sewn. I could sew more if I blogged less, but I like writing about sewing almost as much as I like sewing! Thanks for saying hello.

Jane
Jane

Hi Deby, this dress is adorable! Thank you for the pattern. I can’t wait to make it. It’s just what I need for summer. I took your survey and enjoyed reading the results. I hope I adquately expressed my appreciation for the work you put into the blog, the patterns and tutorials. I enjoy your site very much.

Deby at So Sew Easy
Active Member
Reply to  Jane

Thank you so much Jane. Comments like yours make all the hard work and late night sewing and blogging all worthwhile.