Cowl Neck Sweater Dress

Just in-time for Christmas and oh so cozy. I don't know about you, but I love cowl neck sweaters... and look how cute they are pint sized. This sweater dress is made from a woman's turtleneck sweater and it takes less than an hour to make. easy. simple.

Raid your closet or head out to a second hand store. When choosing a sweater make sure the length is as long as you want the dress to be; we will not be cutting any length off. I really like the chunky sweater look but I think this dress would look nice with a thinner ribbed knit and a looser cowl too.

First, cut into the shoulders to make a scoop for a smaller arm hole. Continue trimming the sides of the sweater tapering out. I did not cut through to the bottom. I ended my cut on the side. If you end on the side like I did, just make sure you have a smooth taper, so there are not any bulges.

Next, take the sleeves you already cut off and trim them to look like a smaller sleeve. I just eyeballed it but you could use a shirt that fits for a guide.

Sew the sleeves into the scoops you made on the body of the dress. I used a serger but if you don't have one just stitch and finish the edges with a zigzag stitch. The side is still open.

Sew up the sides and you're almost done.

Because this is a woman's shirt, the neck is pretty big, but we want that because that's what makes a cowl neck a cowl neck. But if you try it on your girl, the neckline will look a little wide. To fix that I cut a piece of elastic the size of the back of a shirt that fits my daughter now (I measured from shoulder seam to shoulder seam). I sewed that into the back of the neck, stretching it to reach across the back section only. This cinches up the back so it is less wide and more cowl.

That's it. You're done. Now slip it on your toddler and let her dance around the Christmas tree.