https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/paper-bag-skirt-from-vintage-sheet • Posted by Sara R.
I picked up a chambray-like sheet a few months ago at Goodwill and have been waiting for inspiration to strike. While perusing the J. Crew sale section, I came across this skirt and knew it would be the perfect fit for my fabric.
I picked up a chambray-like sheet a few months ago at Goodwill and have been waiting for inspiration to strike. While perusing the J. Crew sale section, I came across this skirt and knew it would be the perfect fit for my fabric.
Decide how long you want your skirt to be; an easy way to do this is measure a skirt you already have and like the length of and add 3.5" (this will be the paper bag part at the top and elastic casing; if you are not using a sheet and will need to hem the bottom, add another inch). For the width, make sure you use enough fabric to get the skirt over your hips. The more fabric you use, the fuller your skirt will be. Cut two squares of fabric. My squares were 21.5" wide by 23.5" tall. If you are using an old sheet, make sure to line up the fabric so that one of the existing hems will become the hem of your skirt.
Pin your squares together with the right sides of the fabric facing each other and sew up both edges, creating a loop of fabric (I used 1/2" seam allowances). Press the two side seams open, then fold down the top edge of the skirt 1/2". Press.
Fold down 3" and press again, this time pinning the edge down. Sew close to this edge, leaving about an inch opening to insert your elastic.
An inch above this seam, sew another seam (I used 3/4" elastic; if you use a different size, adjust this measurement accordingly). This will be the casing for your elastic.
Use a safety pin to feed your elastic through the casing making sure it doesn't get twisted inside the casing.
Sew the elastic together, then sew the hole where you inserted it into the casing closed. If you aren't using a vintage sheet, you will now need to hem the bottom of the skirt. Turn the skirt right side out, you are finished with this part.
For the belt, I used a piece of fabric that was 4" by 60". This is personal preference, yours could be longer, or you could use a belt you already have. Fold this piece in half, wrong side on the inside, and sew the long edge together. Turn right side out with a chopstick, bamboo skewer, etc.
I ironed my belt and sewed along each side just to keep it nice and flat. I finished the ends off at an angle.
Wear and enjoy! Feel free to substitute a different belt to mix it up.