Shirt Off Daddy's Back Workshop Opens Sunday!

The Shirt Off Daddy's Back Workshop opens this Sunday and I can't wait! I've been busy tidying things up and arranging the "classroom" - can't wait for students to start arriving. A LOT of you have asked if this is only for making children's clothes. And the answer is - nope. Here's a summary of what you'll be learning - with additional notes about what sizes each would be appropriate for. . .

Make straight skirts out of T-shirts AND button-down shirts, with options for elastic or knit (yoga-style) waistbands. These could be made for toddlers through adult (depending on the size shirts you start with). However - I think straight skirts are not the most flattering cut for adult women with hips. I've made some for myself and they're great for wearing around the house and working in the garden, but I'd never wear mine out. When I was a skinny teenager I would have made myself some miniskirts like these and worn them until they fell apart.

Make A-line skirts out of T-shirts and button-down shirts, with options for gathered or fitted skirts, elastic, knit, or bound waistbands. You'll learn how to draft patterns for both gathered and fitted skirts. These can be made for toddlers through adult sizes and the cut looks good on all body types. Here's a picture of me in a slightly-gathered A-line skirt made from a T-shirt with a yoga-style waistband.

Please just ignore the fact that the pale lavender of the skirt seems to exactly match the color of my legs. It's a cool and comfy skirt on a hot summer day. :-)

Make an A-line dress out of a T-shirt or a button-down shirt. For this one I provide a pattern in sizes 3-8. I love A-line dresses for children. They're good for year-round wear because they can wear them alone in summer or layer them over a long-sleeved shirt in winter. But they tend to look like tents on women with breasts. Not recommended for adults. Either of these could also be made into a shirt.

Make a convertable tube-top dress/skirt out of knit fabric and a T-shirt or button-down shirt. This one could be made for toddlers through adults. Very cute - and my daughter came up with convertable design. This can also be made into a shirt.

Make an "easy, breezy summer dress" (or shirt) from a button-down shirt or T-shirt. This is another one I recommend for kids only. There isn't any shaping at the waist to make it flattering on women with curves. Though - now that I think of it - I might be able to adapt this into a cute shirt for grown women. Hmmm. . . maybe a mid-class addition to the workshop. . .

Make a full apron with adjustable neck strap from a button-down shirt. You can make this for toddlers through adults.

Make a half-apron from a button-down shirt. You can make this for any size.

Other things you'll learn that can be applied to any item for kids or adults. . .

• Use fold-over elastic to finish knit edges. This stuff is MAGIC!
• Add fancy embroidery to the hem or a skirt (or other garment).
• Add a gorgeous crocheted scallop border to a hem.
• Add super-easy knit ruffles to anything.

I hope that answers your questions about what sizes you can make! Please let me know if you have any additional questions.

The workshop starts on Sunday and all the PDFs and videos will be available from the beginning - so you can jump right in and go through it at whatever pace (and at whatever time) works best for you. There are no scheduled meeting where you have to check in at a certain time - and you can download all the PDFs to keep referencing after the workshop is over.

Sign up here! We'd love to have you join us!

Best,

Wendi