I found this artist smock and loved her creative idea but decided to come up with my own version. Here is how you do it. Take a man’s button up shirt.
Then cut up each seam on the front of the shirt. This will be up both sides and across the shoulders. You should have a front panel that is now separated from the back of the shirt.
Then repeat, by cutting off the seams on the back of the shirt. You now have two panels, a front and back. The back of the shirt, will become the front of your smock and the front of the man’s shirt will become the back.
Cut off the entire collar (front and back) and unpick any buttons used for buttoning the collar down. Save the buttons that button up the front of the shirt. These will be the buttons on the back of your artist’s smock.
I then took two lengths of ribbon (measure on child before determining how long you would like it to be. I attached my ribbon to the front (button-less) panel and then wrapped the ribbon around the back and tied it in the front of the smock. You can choose to make it so that your ribbon ties in the back if that is your preference. If I remember correctly, I made my ribbon 2 peices at 30 inches a piece.
*Take the new front panel and iron a 1/4″ seam around the entire shirt panel. Fold over another 1/4″ seam and pin in place. Take one ribbon and place it inside the seam and pin it in place. I placed mine right in the armpit of the original shirt. This is where the shirt material comes out into a peak on the side.
Sew around the entire panel. When you come to sew in the ribbon, sew it into the seam and then also sew a square in the top of the ribbon to secure it to the panel.
Repeat the same process beginning with the star now on the new back panel. (You will want to make sure that the top button is about 1/4 to 1/2 inches below your FINISHED seam line, so that it does not pull apart at the top).
Pin the front and back shirt panels with the right side of the material together at the shoulders only. Sew together using a 1/2″ seam allowance.
Now you are basically finished. Only the shoulders of the smock are sewn together. The sides are left open so that the smock can just go on right over the head. When you tie it, the sides just naturally tuck in around your kid.
I did however add a few flourishes so that it did not look so plain. I carefully unpicked the pocket that was originally on the front of the man’s shirt and just sewed it onto the new front of the smock. I also added a pink iron-on flower that I had left-over from a previous project. Ta-Da! An adorable artist smock for your budding artist.
Stay tuned for a recipe for some homemade paints and a homemade easel to complete your artist’s ensemble.
**If I were to make a boy’s version, I would sew the tie onto the back panel and then wrap it around the front so it can tie in the back.
This bird was right outside the window for a long time while I was working on this smock. He made my day!
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What a clever way to use old shirts. Love this idea. I’ve recently been getting lots of graduation announcements, any clever gift ideas?
So cute and it doesn’t look very hard at all. I am one of those Mom’s that is terrified of letting my kids paint. Maybe this will help me get over that.
Kristy–I haven’t been giving much thought in the area of graduation gifts but I ran across some cute graduation cap “cake pops” on Bakerella here:
http://bakerella.blogspot.com/2009/05/candy-cup-caps.html
They would be cute in some cellophane bags with a card and/or money attached.
I have also given graduates the book “Oh The Places You’ll Go” by Dr. Suess. I have seen them at Target recently. I will keep my eye out as I think I may actually have one person I will need to be getting something for. Thanks for the reminder.
Oh I like this one too! i linked again!
Beautiful picture of the bird and my grandkids of course!
This is really useful with clear instructions. Thanks!
Thank You so much for your tutorial. I just made one for my daughter and I think I will make more. I don't know why I didn't make them sooner because my child can be messy.
Check out my attempt at making one. I think it turned out really cute.
http://lowrytown.blogspot.com/2009/06/new-projects-finished-park.html
p.s. I adore the picture of the bird.
can i view your smock. it says i have to be invited. i have a son…anyone in that realm. i need to make one for him.
Thanks for the great idea! I just made one for my daughter's kindergarten class and we both love it. I am really enjoying all the ideas on your blog and am currently making the twirly skirt, too! I found your blog while searching for art smock ideas and I'm so glad I found your blog! Thanks for a great ideas and I'll be back to borrow some of your ideas for General Conference!
Thanks for this info, this issue has been bugging me like crazy for the last couple of days.