Watermelon Tuxedo Tank Tutorial

{oh my look how little she is!}

Crazy how time goes by so slow day to day but when I look back I can't believe its been a year.  I made this watermelon tank for my little lady last year because she is a watermelon fiend.  She just eats and eats until she is stained orangy pink.  Well its melon season again so I thought I would make an update on her favorite shirt for my BIG girl for her birthday. 

{she keeps reminding me how she used to be a little tiny baby but now she is 3.}  So here's how to make a watermelon tuxedo tank for your big girl.  No matter what her size!

  SUPPLIES

white tank or shirt {this would be great for a stained shirt}

scrap of red fabric

green fabric of choice, probably with polka dots, or not ;)

black buttons

coordinating threads

normal sewing supplies like a machine.

I took my scrap of red and traced the neckline of my tank just under that edging to get the top to fit in there perfectly.

Then fold it in half and cut the shape you want so its even.  Mine kind of angled out and then curved at the bottom.  It might be a good idea to use some fray check at the top.  Slide it underneath the edging if there is space, pin in place and stitch with red thread.  I am digging my stretch stitch for shirts but its not necessary.  

IMPORTANT NOTE!!!

I'm gonna remind you now.  Always make sure that you aren't sewing the back of your shirt to the front when you are applique-ing.  Of course I would never do that but just a side tip!

Ok moving on.  Cut a strip of green fabric.  This depends on how ruffly you want your ruffle, and the size of shirt you are making.  This time I cut it I think 2 1/2 inches wide?  And it was maybe 40 inches long.   Fold your strip in half lengthwise, right sides together and stitch it all the way down.  Turn it rightside out and press your seam to the back.   Then ruffle it by sewing a gathering stitch down the middle and pulling the bobbin threads.  

{ I'm assuming you know how to do that now, so just google how to gather if you need a refresher!}

Pin your ruffle right on your stitching line on the bib.  Last year I pinned it on the outside of the bib and after I washed it it there was a space between the ruffle and the bib.  So make sure they overlap just a bit.  

 Stitch in place right over your gathering stitch. 

Add three black buttons and your done!

Now go put it on your BIG girl and eat some watermelon!  Just make sure she wears a bib so she doesn't rip it off when she's done because her shirt is wet and can't stand it!