Fix It Up Friday: Man's T-Shirt to Lady's Skirt Tutorial

Good morning! It is time for Fix It Up Friday again. I am so glad to have you join me. Thank you to all of you who linked up last week. If you didn’t get to check out all of the cool ideas that were shared click here.

When I came across the shirt skirt tutorial I thought it looked like something fun to sew. However, being 6’1″ tall meant that my husband’s t-shirt would have become a micro mini if I followed the tutorial. So, I decided to figure out how to make a skirt that would fit me, the me who still needs to lose 15 pounds of baby weight.

I think I accomplished that with this t-shirt to skirt tutorial. This was a very easy skirt to make and only took me about 1/2 an hour from start to finish. Would you like to make one for yourself? Here’s how.

First, I raided my husband’s side of the closet and found a 3XL t-shirt he never wears. (I’m not sure why it looks like their are spots on the shirt.)

Honey, if you read this and wish I hadn’t used your t-shirt, don’t worry. There is a 2XL navy blue t-shirt still in the closet. :-)

Cut off the sleeves and neckline like in the picture above. It doesn’t have to be totally precise. We will get to that in the next step.

Next, fold the t-shirt in half vertically. Use tailor’s chalk and a yard stick to make a cutting line. I made my skirt have a slight A-line look to it. The shirts folded measurements ended up being 14 inches at the bottom and 12 1/2 inches at the top. You could make yours be a rectangle or make the A-line more noticeable.

Cut along the chalk line and then unfold the t-shirt. My skirt pieces had a height of 27 inches which was a good length for me. You may want to make your skirt shorter. If you do, cut it at the top before you unfold it.

Place the two pieces of the t-shirt with right sides together and pin each side. The bottom of your skirt will be the bottom of the t-shirt that is already hemmed. Yay, for not having to hem your skirt!

Stitch along each side of the skirt (the sides you pinned) using a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Turn the skirt right side out.

Now, take each sleeve and, keeping them folded, cut them to a width of 7 inches and a length of 9 inches (18 inches when you unfold it). The sleeves will become the waistband. You are welcome to fold over the t-shirt at the top to make a casing for elastic. I just happen to like the type of waistband I am going to show you how to make.

Check out my fleece waistband tutorial for more detailed instructions on how to make a sewn on waistband and how to determine the proper size.

Unfold the two sleeve pieces, place them right sides together and pin them. Stitch the pieces together using a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Turn the waistband right side out.

Fold the waistband in half with wrong sides together.

Place the waistband over the skirt so that the folded part is facing the bottom of the skirt and the raw edges match up with the raw edge of the top of the skirt.

The waistband will be smaller than the skirt so you will have to stretch it to make it fit. Pin it in place. Please look at my waistband tutorial if you need more info.

Stitch the waistband to the skirt using a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Pull the waistband up so that the folded edge is now the top of the skirt.

That’s it. You should now have your very own comfy t-shirt skirt. I think I will have to make some of these for my skirt loving daughter.

Now, it is your turn to link up your creative posts. I look forward to seeing all of your great ideas. The guidelines for linking up are here.

I am linking to Strut Your Stuff Thursday.

Nina

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! I was trying to make the “Sew Like My Mom” skirt that you linked to and could not for the life of me figure out how to make shirring work on my machine (it’s new to me and I’m rather new to sewing)…and then I stumbled upon your blog and completely did away with the need to use elastic thread!!! I am currently wearing a skirt I just finished using you’re tutorial and I LOVE IT!
Thanks for allowing you blessings to overflow and bless me in return!
- http://www.blessingsoverflowing.com/ Jackie
  
  Nina, you totally made my day with your sweet comment! Your kind words mean so much to me. I am so glad you liked the tutorial and that your skirt turned out so well. Take care.