Saturday, March 29, 2014

Repurposing Your Favorite Man's Shirt into a Skirt

Do you have that favorite shirt of your guy you wish you could wear all the time or one that no longer fits him? Well now you can wear it anytime you want by reconstructing it to make a cute skirt. If you don't have any shirts from family members, you can buy one at Goodwill for a lower price and it's a bonus if it's a sale day, as many have a good selection. This tutorial does require some sewing knowledge and trial and error as not all shirts are made the same. There are many different design and pattern ideas for a skirt using a shirt, so find one that you like and make it your own.

    I really liked the design of this skirt that I found while reading the blog, Fashion Indie by Kirby Marzec, but I ran out of time to create it. I made my own version of the skirt and I hope to make many different styles of skirts with different design features, such as adding pockets, lace, a bow belt, or appliques.

Materials you need:
     1 Men's Button-Down Shirt (Any adult size will work but XL or L works best because you have more to work with)
    2 Inch Wide Non-Roll Elastic (It should be as long as it needed to go around your waist)
    Sewing Machine
    Good Cutting Scissors
    Pins

1) Lay the shirt out flat. Cut the sleeves off right along the the shoulder seam.
















2 Turn the shirt over and cut off the yoke. Open the shirt and lay flat.

3) Taiper the side seam to create a new side seam. With right sides together,  pin the sides together and stitch. 





4) To make the belt for the waistband, cut the sleeves so they are laying flat. You want to cut a piece that is 5 3/4 inches wide and the length of the waist measure. 



5) Measure your waist and cut the 2-inch wide elastic to fit.

6) Sew gathering stitches at the top of the skirt sewing at 5/8 and 3/8 inches apart. Draw up length of the skirt to match the length of the belt and even out the gathers.



 7) With right sides together, pin the belt onto the gathered skirt. The gathered skirt should be the length of the belt.  Lay the elastic on the waistband and fold back half of waistband over the top to create a casing for the elastic.





















8) Baste the waistband where the two pieces meet at the waistline. Topstitch it all the way around. 
9) Place a hook and eye on the band and try it on! 





The Finished Product! I'd love to see photos of your repurposed shirt skirt.




26 comments:

  1. Super clever and creative! I like it!

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    1. Maris, Thank you very much. I love having the opportunity to be creative and my your projects your own. It's always neat to see how people incorporate a little of themselves and their personalities into their projects.

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  2. Great idea! I've made little girl pillowcase style dresses from men's shirts, but never a woman's skirt! Looks great.

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    1. Thank you very much, sewVery :) That sounds neat! I have made pillow cases from men's shirts as well and was thinking of doing that for one of my upcoming posts. If you have any great project ideas, I'd love some suggestions!

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  3. That's really fun! Actually I have some non-favorite shirts from my guy I'd like to turn into something else...this is a great idea. I like the pockets -Deanna {SewMcCool)

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    1. Thanks, Deanna! That would be neat and you can always incorporate your own style into your newly upcycled clothing. Another neat idea that I am planning on doing for an upcoming tutorial is a decorative pillow case using a guy's shirt. I am hoping to have this up either this week or the following. :) I am always open to new ideas, so feel free to share some of your favorite projects.

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  4. Really good tutorial - upcycling is great, isn't it? :)

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    1. Meriel, thank you! I have enjoyed your latest blog post! I have just recently really gotten into upcycling and now I think I am addicted. One of my next challenges is to try and reconstruct a corduroy jacket that is too big for me and tailor it. I haven't decided. Thanks for the support! :)

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  5. Replies
    1. Thank you, Stephanie, I really appreciate the support. I love upcycling because when I become bored of my current fashion, I can just recreate it and add a different twist.

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  6. Very cute! I love when upcycling works out. Sometimes mine don't turn out quite like I want.

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    1. Chelsea, thank you. I love when my projects turn out, but more often than not, it turns out differently than I expect or want. I am always surprised at my results and I love adding my own style.

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  7. Thank you, Kathy. I plan on trying to make several different versions of this skirt, as you can never have too many skirts. Another way you can use a button down shirt is to make a decorative pillowcase, which I hope to make for an upcoming tutorial. :)

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  8. This is cute and very creative.

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  9. Thank you, Annette. Pinterest has become one of my go-to sites as I am addicted. They have a lot of neat ideas, but I never have enough time to try them all. I hope to make a few different variations of this skirt.

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  10. What a creative idea! I really need to get my thinking noggin on and play around.

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    1. Thanks, Jenna! Haha, sometimes it takes other people to inspire creativity in ourselves. I always love finding new ideas that I probably would never have thought about. I wish I had free time to spend on pinterest and other blogs and making the crafts.

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  11. What a great way to reuse a shirt! Cute!

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    1. Thanks, Lindsay! I definitely hope to make some different variations of the skirt. There are many neat ideas now that I want to do with other button-up shirts.

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  12. This is a great idea! I used to wear dresses and skirts all.the.time. when I was teaching full-time. This would be great for little kiddos, too!

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    1. Thanks, Kelli I have recently gotten into wearing skirts and that is one of the things I buy the most along with dresses! This is definitely a great idea for kids, but you would probably want to use a smaller size shirt. You can make a pillowcase from a shirt or tailor the shirt to make a young man's version. I love having unlimited options and creativity.

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  13. I would've never thought to do this! I can't believe how cute it is :)
    Brandi
    www.lipstickandtractors.com

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    1. Thank you, Brandi! Sorry for the late response. This would be a neat way to use some of your husband's old shirts and you can add some different features. I'd love to make a skirt and try and add an exposed zipper. I'd love to see your result if you make one. :)

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  14. What a great idea!!! This would be so fun to do for little girls out of their daddy's shirts too :) I'm thinking of a pale pink dress shirt my husband never wears anymore and how much our girls would love to wear a new skirt from Daddy!!!
    Terry
    www.myloveishomemade.com

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    1. Thanks, Terry! I think this would be cute especially for little girls because it would be something they could treasure. Definitely feel free to make it your own design through adding different appliques, contrasting fabric, ruffles, lace, etc. I love keeping my old sewing projects and going back and seeing how much my sewing skills have evolved. It would be a perfect use for those shirts that never get worn anymore or are too small. I just went to your blog and I can't wait to read it when I have time. :) I look forward to seeing the pictures!

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