Newborn dress turned toddler apron (refashioning tutorial)

Do you have a ton of newborn baby dresses like me and don't know what to do with them? Why not do what I did, and turn them into a toddler apron.

Just the other day I was going through my kids drawers and I came across this dress that was a hand-me-down from a friend of mine. I always love getting hand-me-downs and especially from her. I am always guaranteed to get at least a few things from Zutano, and I just love their clothing! This dress was one of my favorites from her. So when I was getting ready to pack it away I decided to use it and make her a little thank you gift instead.

So this is what I started with, a 0-6 month dress from Zutano.

I cut off the sleeves and cut the dress just above the waist. I wanted to keep the gathering that was already there.

I saved the sleeves. There is actually a bit of material there and I'm sure I can make something else with them.

Here is the bottom half of the dress. Luckily, it was a button down dress so I didn't have to finish off any of the ends or side seams and I kept the buttons and button holes as they were.


I made a waste band/ tie by making a large bias strip. I cut mine about 44" X 4". Folded it like above and ironed it.

I made the ends of the tie pointed.

Then I gathered the skirt a little more by sewing on a stitch length of 4 and pulling one thread until bunched.

I pinned the middle of the tie to the middle of the of dress by opening the bias strip 1/2 way and tucking the dress in.

I started sewing at one end and sewed around the whole tie while attaching it to the skirt.

I added a little pocket.

And that was it, a baby dress turned toddler apron!

It was so quick and easy. Just think how sweet your little one is going to look playing in an apron that used to be one of her baby dresses.

I love these little drawstring bags I have been making for my etsy shop. Doesn't this make the cutest little thank you gift?

Now I can't wait to see what else I have for dresses so I can turn them into aprons. I can see some great Christmas gifts in the future.