I Made This: Skirt from A (Really Terrible) Shirt

how to make shirt into skirt
upcycle shirt to skirt
diy shirt to skirt
I'm not even going to try to explain why I had this shirt in my closet— I don't wear velvet, it's not flattering, it's not comfortable, I hate long sleeves, it has an elastic neckline?! . . . there's really no excuse for it. I know it's from a thrift store but I don't know how it made it home with me. So let's just skip over those sad, sad before photos and move on to the part where I transformed this ugly situation into something actually wearable!
I was purging my closet recently when I rediscovered this shirt. Given it's pitfalls, I decided it was very cruel to allow anyone else the opportunity to own it. So rather than donate it, I decided to see if I could do something— anything with it.
I mentioned here that I learned to use a sewing machine recently. This was the first project I attempted on my own without any help. It was literally the easiest thing ever— just two straight lines. I snipped off the weird bell sleeves, turned them inside out, and sewed them shut. So the neck of this shirt become the waist and the sleeves became the pockets. Seriously though, what's better than a skirt with comfy pockets?!
I'm still not really a velvet person but this skirt is perfect for springtime in Tennessee! Lately it's been really brisk in the morning and evenings but warm and sunny during the day. So this skirt just happens to be the perfect material to wear throughout the whole day without feeling like you jumped the gun on summer or that you're dressed too heavy for April. I can also see myself wearing it next winter with some bright red shoes around the holidays ;-)
So there ya have it! One less thing on my "to-sew" list. Next I hope to make a skirt completely from scratch and to keep on fixing items in my "to-mend" pile. Anyone else out there have a growing pile of clothes you plan on fixing or making into other things? I can't be the only one. . .

 glasses: Coastal / tights: Tabbisocks / everything else: thrifted + estate sales

Ps. How do y'all like that pattern mixing?! Stripes + floral + polka dots?! Yes, please!

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29 comments:

  1. You are very skilled when it comes to textile DIY :) I really love the skirt, velvet and florals are a nice match! x

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    1. thanks, nancy! i feel like so many doors have opened now that i can use a machine!

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  2. Omg!!! Those sleeve pockets are genius!!

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    1. thanks! i wasn't sure if it was the coolest thing ever or kind of lame haha

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  3. I too have been wanting to make a skirt from scratch for some time now. Maybe we should form a support group.

    Also, check out this blog: http://refashionista.net/ . Her refashions are so simple and really wonderful.

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    1. move to nashville— we just started a little sewing circle and i made my first skirt, yay! also, i am now obsessed with that blog, thank you for sharing it!

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  4. Wow this is amazing! Not sure if I could do it myself though!

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    1. it's not so hard — just two straight lines! it's a super good beginner project. i was planning on stitching it by hand but when i learned to use a machine i just thought "what the heck" and went for it!

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  5. I LOVE IT! That whole outfit is great, but your DIY skirt makeover is a triumph, lady! It will enjoy a much longer life as a skirt than as the top it was, anyway. Cute!

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    1. thanks, lisa! i'm all about giving clothes a longer life =]

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  6. You're a genius! The skirt looks fantastic!

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    1. thank you! i'm so glad it's not a weird shirt anymore haha

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  7. Great re-style! I have yet to use my machine to mess with anything like that. I'm very inspired!

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  8. This totally inspires me to "Pretty in Pink" some of my less than cute clothing. SUCH A GOOD REPURPOSE. Also, I am in love with you tights.

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    1. omg i'm in love with the use of "pretty in pink" as a verb! you should go for it! it's too fun

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  9. Wait, what? It's really that simple? You just cut off the sleeves, sew up the ends, poke 'em back into the shirt/skirt to make pockets, and you're finished?! I LOVE THIS PROJECT SO MUCH. Not only is this a million times cuter as a transitional winter-to-spring skirt, but it's also something I could actually try to make, despite my sewing machine phobia. Thank you!!

    <3 jen @ librarian tells all

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    1. i'm so happy with it! and you could even hand stitch it if you wanted!

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  10. I'm really impressed with this diy and will have to see if I have any shirts I can do this with =]. You look gorgeous and I also would like to start making things from scratch. GOod luck to us both, haha.

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    1. we can do it! i see lots of practice in the future!

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  11. SO CUTE. YOU'RE SO CUTE.

    Come sew with meee! :3

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    1. <3 done, done, done! and thanks for your help. nashville sewing circle is about to be a tradition!

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  12. Wow this looks so good! I'm in love with those tights too, and the beautiful shoes <3

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    1. thanks! i've been wanting polka dot tights foreverrrr! i've also had lots of vintage shoe luck lately at thrift stores— i'm not complaining ;-)

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  13. oh my gosh. cutest award! i wish i could sew like that. and those photos! beautiful! where are they taken?
    i love your blog and would love to swap buttons! email me if you are interested! projectadoration@hotmail.com
    xoxo
    e
    http://nine-fortytwo.blogspot.com

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    1. thanks, emily! my house in Nashville backs up to a local park and that's where i took this pictures. can't wait to check out your blog!

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  14. Really beautiful restyling idea and blog! lovely! Thanks for sharing :)
    I'm an enthusiastic DIYer from Barcelona, would you like to follow each other on bloglovin'?
    Big kisses
    Marta
    2ndfunniestthing.blogspot.com

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  15. Aw great job! I also love your tights. My sheer ones always run and yours are impressively intact!

    Rachel

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  16. Hah, built-in pockets, that's genius! I'm totally going to try that on the next over-sized shirt I find. Plus, I kind of love the velvet as a skirt, but you're definitely right about it being weird as a top.

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