t-skirt Tutorial

I can't get enough of these cute skirts! Here is another picture of some that we made a couple weeks ago.

Let's figure out how to make them!

*Before you start making these skirts, please me NOTES at the bottom of post!*

First of all, our inspiration comes from my Aug/Sep 2011 issue of Mary Janes Farm Magazine...
So first we head out to find some t-shirts to "re-make". Let me save you some trouble... don't go to the thrift store for these. It's hard to find exact matching colors and most of them are petrified and crusty from years of use. Instead, we head to our closest J.C. Penney's men's department where they have t-shirts in loads of colors ON SALE! Buy one get the second one for $1, or some other great bargain like that. We picked up our first load of 5 t-shirts for around $20.

About sizing... I use 2 small men's t-shirts to make Kyla's skirt and 1 large men's shirt to make Maya's. For a medium, woman I would recommend 2 extra large men's t-shirts.

Once you get them home, wash them in warm water and dry them in the dryer.

Next, lay the 2 matching t-shirts side by side. Using a watersoluble marker pen, draw each half of your skirt. Cut...
When you finish with the 2 t-shirts you should have 4 pieces that look like these...
These skirts are just so easy. Go to the nearest sewing machine and begin by sewing the front panel together using a 1/2 inch seam allowance. Start turning your balance wheel and foot-pumping your treadle and keep your eyes on your needle...
Wait... this doesn't sound very easy to me!

Never mind that.

Now head to your nearest electronic sewing machine and using a 1/2 inch seam allowance, sew (right sides together) the front together at the center, back-stitching at both top and bottom to secure. Repeat with the back. Then sew (right sides together) the curve sides...
The angled "sides" below the curves are not seamed; they drape down and become part of the hem...
For the elastic waist, turn the skirt to right side out, fold down 1 inch of fabric at the top of the skirt toward the inside, pin, and sew along the fabric edge, leaving an opening at one side seam where you can feed in the elastic...
Measure a piece of elastic around the waist, below the belly button. Make it as snug as you want the waistband of the skirt. Cut the elastic for a 1/2 inch overlap. Attach a large safety pin to one end of the elastic to facilitate feeding the elastic though the opening in your side seam (pin the "tail" end of the elastic so that it doesn't slip into the opening as you pull)...
When the two elastic ends meet, overlap by 1/2 inch and stitch together. Then stitch the opening in the side seam closed...
Now we decide that we want a ruffle edge at the bottom our our skirt so we cut out three rings of fabric from our sleeves of the t-shirt. Cut the rings into strips, stretch them and sew them together end to end so you have one long strip...
With a very large stitch, sew two rows of stitches on your strips...
Next, look around for the closest cute baby, who happens to be watching you from across the room in her play station and is starting to get fussy...
Pick her up. Now grasp the two threads on the top of the strip facing you and let the threads on the back go. Gently gather the material by pulling the strip toward you. Then let your fussy baby grab it and finish it...
Pin the gathered ruffle on the bottom of the skirt and sew it on with a small stitch. Then rip out the two remaining gather stitch rows...
Do the same to the other side to the opposite side of the skirt...
Done!

Happy t-skirt sewing!
Alison

P.S. Feel free to share this post with any other Mom's who would enjoy making these skirts.


NOTES:

-Should you decide to do a ruffle like we did, be sure to sew the ruffle on to the skirt near the top 1/3 or the ruffle. We noticed after you wash the skirt, the top part of the ruffle falls down and it looks cuter if you do it this way. Does that make sense?

-Draw your skirt front half on one shirt and cut it out, then place your cutouts on the other shirt and cut out along the edges so you get an exact replica of the first pattern.

-If you're making a skirt for a small person and only using one t-shirt, just draw you whole skirt front onto the front of the shirt and cut it out, skipping the seam in the middle...

-We tried to stay away from light colors and thinner material that you could see through.

-Hope this makes sense. I really didn't measure anything or use any exact science in these. That's what makes them so easy. Just have fun...