Finished little girl's skirt - Fleur Chapman
Recycle an old ladies' t-shirt and make a unique skirt for your little girl.
This little girls skirt is super easy to create and is a great beginner sewing project.
Materials
All you need is an old ladies t-shirt and some fabric scraps (such as a fat quarter) in a contrasting color. The contrasting fabric only makes the waistband, so don't be afraid to be bold with your color choices. If you are feeling very creative, you can also add lace or other trim, bows, appliqué or beadwork. You will also need basic sewing supplies; thread, scissors and a measuring tape.
Size
The skirt was created to fit a toddler, but the actual size will depend on the size of the t-shirt and how long you make it. The elastic waistband ensures a comfortable fit and will grow with the wearer.
Instructions
- Lay out the ladies' t-shirt flat and cut across the middle, under the arms. This will make a tube of fabric which will become the main skirt piece. The bottom of the t-shirt forms the bottom of the skirt, so no hemming needed!
- To make the waistband, measure across one side of the t-shirt tube and cut this length plus a seam allowance from two pieces of the contrasting fabric. Make these pieces about five centimeters wide to accommodate the elastic and seam allowance. For example, if the tube is 25 centimeters wide, cut two pieces about 27cm long and five centimeters wide.
- Stitch these two pieces together at the short side. If the contrasting fabric piece is long enough, double the tube width measurement and cut the waistband in one long piece.
- Fold the waistband piece in half wrong sides together. Press.
- Place the folded waistband on the skirt tube to the right side, raw edges even. Stitch through the three layers to attach the waistband using a close zigzag stitch. When you open it up, the seam should be on the inside and the waistband piece has formed a casing.
- This is a good point to add embellishments to the skirt, such as lace trim to the bottom or an appliqué. The image below shows a bow detail created in the same fabric as the waistband.
- Insert elastic through the casing. Use an existing garment to measure the elastic length (or use your little model!).
- Stitch up the elastic casing, catching in the elastic to secure it. The easiest and neatest way to do this is to turn the skirt inside out and sew all the way down the side in a close zigzag stitch.
- Finished!
Copyright Fleur Chapman. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.
