Oh happy day! It’s the last Tuesday of the month (gasp…already??) and that means it’s Reduce, Reuse, REFASHION time. Each month I prepare a project for you that shows how to upcycle something out of your closet, linens, etc. Today’s fun is focused on an upcycled skirt refashion.

It’s funny how we go thru clothing styles and cycles. My oldest daughter gets to pass on her unwanteds to three younger sisters. This time around, she unloaded a pile of knit skirts that seem to have a common theme. Do you see it?

And this misfit…haha.

Well…long story short (pun intended), her next youngest sister doesn’t fit into these, and my other girls weren’t interested. That’s where I come in. I see yards and yards of soft and comfortable fabric just waiting for a new purpose. You can see how I used my own linen skirts to upcycle into insulated lunch bags HERE.

REFASHION TIME

While I normally donate our clothing to a local ministry, this time around I wanted to make use of this stash. One of the things I enjoy doing is making clothes for my kids. My youngest was wearing this outfit the other day that I made for my next oldest daughter from fabric I found at the thrift store. It still looks good and it makes me cringe at how fast time flies. Sigh…

GETTING STARTED

My vision is to take these skirts and refashion them into nightgowns and/or dresses using the patterns I made years ago. If you look close, you’ll see I’ve used desk calendars and my old homeschool notes to make my patterns. haha. Make do or do without, baby! (note: this is a third or less of my patterns…ahem)

*post includes affiliate links so you can find the products I love to use too. (see full disclosure)

I’m not one for box store patterns (yeah I’m weird like that), but rather like to draft my own. The pre-made patterns never fit right and are a pain to me in most instances. Instead, however, I like to take clothing that does fit and use it as a template to create new.

For instance, I take t-shirts or leggings and capris, tighter fitting clothing, and draft a pattern. Just add for seam allowance and we’re good to go when using knit. Instead of reinventing the wheel, I’m going to direct you to one of my favorite blogs: Ikat Bag. Be sure to check out all Lorraine (Lier) has for you, especially her raglan dress pattern. I used her pattern many years ago and even adapted it to make nursing nightgowns for myself. Bonus: her sense of humor rocks!

Here’s what I used for each one:

• knit skirt (or knit fabric)
• sewing scissors
• Serger – you can also use a sewing machine
• coordinating or contrasting thread

CUTTING

Since each upcycled skirt is a bit different in design as well as potential yardage, I have to refashion them according to what they have to offer. First, I begin with the blue tie dye skirt.

I lay it out with front and back folded out with seams facing up and down. Then, I place my pattern on the fold on the left side and cut. After that, I flip the pattern over to the right side and do the same thing. These two pieces will make up the front and the back of the nightgown/dress.

TIP: I made my pattern weights using a stack of super large metal washers from a hardware store wrapped in scrap fabric. They are awesome!

Next, I use the remnant scrap to make a couple of ruffle sleeves. My goal is to make this as simple and comfortable as possible, so loose and flowing is key. I use a pattern I drafted, which is basically a slope. You can draw one of these and can make it as long and as wide as you want.

Normally, I’d fold the fabric in half and cut a mirrored image. However, in this instance, I was working with a seam, so I cut one side, and then the other.

ASSEMBLY

Check out how easy it is to assemble this. I can not say enough how much I LOVE my serger. I use it for any sewing project I can, which is really just about anything. In this instance, I serged the seams with an overlock finish beginning at the shoulders. Once the shoulders are attached, I attach the sleeves. Notice the fabrics are right sides facing.

After I add the sleeves, I then serge the side seams together.

However, for my nightgown/dress refashion, I want to make the knit have a lettuce edge instead of a folded hem. That means I want to wrap the edge of the sleeves and skirt (a rolled hem) and make it have a ruffled effect. Normally, you’d hem the sleeves before attaching them. With this technique, the sleeves are done while attached. The bottom of the skirt is done at this time as well.

As the fabric is pulled into the machine, I gently pull the knit taught. This causes the fabric to pucker and get that lettuce effect.

Some will be scared to death to work with knit fabric, but I’m here to say it is easier than you think. It just takes practice. You can even tackle this project on a sewing machine with a jersey knit needle and a zig-zag stitch, or folded hems.

THE REVEAL

While I could have written an elaborate post detailing each skirt upcycled in different ways, my goal was to focus on the general idea of potential in the fabric. When I asked my daughters to come do a photo shoot to feature their new duds, my littlest fell on my bed on her back and said, “aaaah…this feels soooo good!” Mission accomplished.

Did you notice the lettuce edging? I’m not one that’s partial to standard t-shirts, so I like to cut the neckline, the sleeves, and the bottom edge off and give it a lettuce effect.

Don’t forget, I also made up a few other goodies. This upcycled skirt nightgown is for my next oldest girl. It had enough to make it long sleeves. Notice that I used the waistband as cuff for the arm instead of the lettuce edge.

Both my girls couldn’t stop giggling and touching their new gowns. This is the times that I see and want to hit the pause button. All my kids are growing so fast that it makes my mama heart ache.

In addition, to the short sleeve nightgown, I also made a long sleeve one for my littlest. I think she said that one is her favorite because it’s so soft. I simply used her shirt to draft the sleeve onto the folded skirt.

This skirt had been altered many times by my oldest daughter. She’s quite the handy one with alterations.

Last, but not least, I took the pink skirt and shortened it for my one daughter. And, took that gray short skirt and refashioned it into a swing top for my littlest.

WRAP-UP

Am I inspiring you yet? I sure hope so. And, if you’re thinking, “I can’t do this.” Yes, you can!! I learned by trying and experimenting. I bought my serger “used”, but it was bought for a lady by her husband new in the box. She was scared to try it and said she was too old to learn it. PISH POSH! You are never too old. All you have to do is try.

Also, do pin and share my upcycled skirt projects to inspire others. We can encourage and support one another.

Up next, my garden shed is getting one more improvement before autumn rolls in. See our summer remodel HERE, then see our latest addition HERE.

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Also, more refashion fun like this upcycled skirt project: