https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/diy-t-shirt-skirt • Posted by Bridgette W.
If you are like me, you probably have a t-shirt you like but it’s too big/small, faded, ruined, etc and a pair of pants you no longer like or can fit. I started off by taking a pair of black slacks that I didn’t like. (you can also substitute an old skirt; provided it has a zip front or button closure) I measured down 8” (including ½” seam allowance) and cut, keeping the waist band, zipper, and button closure. If your pants or skirt has pockets you might want to measure and cut ½” below the bottom of the pockets so you can use it with your skirt. Since my slacks were also too small, I cut a slit in the back to later add a panel to. Keep all your scraps; you will need them for later.
Next I took a t-shirt I’ve had for years that is too small. Laying it flat I cut a straight line across from under one arm across to the other under arm. While flat, measure across the front of the shirt, creating a center front line. Mark with chalk. If you are using a t-shirt that is too small you are going to need to add some inches to the back. So fold and mark the center back as well, measuring across and marking a center back line down the length of the shirt.
For the next few steps I used a serger. If you do not have one you can substitute using a tight zig-zag machine stitch. (I would suggest a 2 length stitch setting) I serged the full circumference of the slacks waistband, as well as the cut of the t-shirt and the cut I made down the back of the shirt.
Matching up the front center line to the front center zipper fly of the slacks I pinned the two together. Since I am a big fan of exposed hems, I over-lapped the serged hem of the slacks on top of the shirt hem.
Since the design on the t-shirt is hot pink, I choose to use a matching thread. First I straight stitched a pink line around the slacks bottom, then went back and ran a zig-zag stitch just under that.
Since my slacks and t-shirt were too small to fit as a skirt I went back and cut off the excess t-shirt fabric, making a straight line from the waist band, down the back of the tshirt. Next I took the leftover scraps from my original slacks and cut out a strip to the desired width and length I needed to add to the back of my skirt. I then serged the rectangular strip on all 4 sides. I folded it over to the same length of my waist band and stiched it. Then I repeated step 4, overlapping the piece over the t-shirt and straight and zig-zag stitching it in place.
I stopped about 8” from the bottom on either side of the strip, leaving a unique skirt slit in the back. After the strip is fully attached to the back of the skirt, then hem the bottom of the strip, removing any excess fabric.
Done!
Tips. Adding the insert in the back is optional. If your waistband fits fine then there is no need the add it. Also avoid cutting the t-shirt back if you desire a tighter, pencil skirt. If you prefer the design on the back of your original t-shirt you can always reverse it, using that as your skirt front design. Or you can even go so far as to put the design down the side. The options are endless!