Shirt to Skirt tutorial

#6
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Here's a quick tutorial on how to turn a ladies shirt into a childs skirt.  Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about doing the Fabric Canvas tutorial yet.. I just haven't had time to make the canvases yet.  Maybe later this week.  I did this skirt over the past weekend.

This tutorial is great if a shirt doesn't fit you anymore or has a stain on it or something.

This is the shirt I started off with.  Found it in the Thrift Store for a few dollars.  I find it is easier to make these skirts out of shirts that have a longer bodice - which are common in empire line tops.

I cut the top off, right under the sleeves.  I also cut the straps off that were in the front.  Saving those for something else.

Now you need to create a waistband.  I didn't make this skirt for anyone in particular so I guessed the size/measurements for my waistband.  I think the general rule is you do 1 1/2 of the waist measurement - cause you want a little gathering.  I think that sounds confusing.  Maybe I'll break it down a little better.  If the waist measurement was 100cm, you could cut out the waistband to be 150cm.  Get it?

Ok so you cut out the waistband, and then sew the two ends together.   I think I just confused you again.  Here's a diagram... 

Does that make sense?  Sew those two ends together, then iron the flaps flat, and then turn it so the seam is inside.  (I just realised I'm really bad at tutorials, must be why I've never tried before).


Fold your tube in half and iron it, so theres a nice definate line in the centre.

Now you need to pin your waistband to your skirt.  I want you to look at this picture, and not do what I have done.  I pinned the waistband to the INSIDE of the skirt and sewed it on and then realised that I was blonde, and should have pinned and sewn it onto the OUTSIDE. 
Remember your waistband is going to be bigger then the skirt.  So you need to mark on the waistband and on the skirt, where the front, back & sides are.  When pinning, you line up those four points.  The open edges face up whilse pinning.

When you sew on the waistband, you need to pull the skirt fabric taunt so your waistband is sewn on flat.  (Another corker of an explanation).

Make sure you leave a gap to thread your elastic through too!

Once you've threaded through your elastic (which you premeasure to be the perfect length for the size waist it needs to go around) - sew the two ends together.  I then tuck the elastic back into the waistband and then you can sew the little opening shut.

And to finish it off, the straps that I cut off the front in the beginning, I made into a fabric rosette with some buttons, and sewed it on front.

I didn't need to worry about a hem, I just left the original hem from the shirt.













And there you have it folks.  My first official horrible tutorial.  I'm really going to have to work on expressing myself in a way others can understand.  If you can follow what I just wrote in this tutorial, KUDOS TO YOU!  You must be special :)

By my calculations this skirt is about a girls size 4.

Until tomorrow... have fun crafting!

Christy