Denim Skirt Refashion Tutorial
March 29, 2011 8:37 amI was on the hunt for a great little denim skirt that I could show you how to make easily. I’ve been loving the denim trends this year.
I found this skirt on Polyvore and really like the effortless, style.
Here’s how to do your own. Get a large men’s denim shirt. I got mine at the thrift store for $1. Mens’ shirts are AWESOME to work with because the prints aren’t too loud and you can get a big one and have lots of material to work with.
So you can measure properly, cut the bottom off of the shirt. They tend to have that curved cut and we want our straight so it doesn’t look like you’re wearing a mean’s shirt.
Next from that bottom, measure the height that you want the skirt.
Cut it that height and make the width about 1.5 times your waist size. Take in to account that there will be a waistband, as well.
Next, sew the button strip down the center so it will stay closed.
If there is a pocket in the way, remove it with a seam ripper. You can also leave it or relocate it depending on what look you’re going for.
Pin your two pieces together on the sides and sew together.
Create a waistband by using the extra material from the sleeves. Fold it over and press.
Pin it to your skirt leaving an opening for the elastic.
Before I add the elastic, I like to do the hem so it remains straight without the pulling of the elastic. Fold under and press.
One of the things I think makes this look nicer is doing a thicker hem. It will look less like a shirt that way.
Now you can run your elastic through and close the waistband.
An extra detail I did was did a top stitch at the top of them waistband. I wanted the top to have a slight paper bag waist.
Here’s what that stitch will do.
And here’s your $1 denim skirt!
I love it with a lovely blouse for Spring (this top is one of my new designs, coming soon!)
I absolutely love how you see the pocket spot at the top. It’s my favorite part!
I hope you like this one! It’s a perfect style for Spring!!
Tags: denim, refashion, skirt, spring 2011, tutorial
Posted in refashions, women's clothing | 25 Comments »
25 Responses
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- Apr 9, 2011: Shirt Skirt : FAIL | this is katie
- Apr 22, 2011: Shirt Skirt: Success! | this is katie
By Katie on Mar 29, 2011 | Reply
I’m hopping on this during naptime! I love it!!!! Plus, my sweet ol’ Daddy gave me a couple of his shirts so I even have one on hand! Thanks for this awesome tutorial!
By Carolyn on Mar 29, 2011 | Reply
Adorable. I really enjoy your Refashion Tutorials. I once made an apron from an old pair of jeans – Simplicity has a pattern in their ‘go green’ line. Refashioning always reminds me of Mary Poppins making dresses out of the bedroom curtains!
By Carolyn on Mar 29, 2011 | Reply
Oops, that would be Maria in The Sound of Music, not Mary Poppins. Got my classic movies mixed up! Thanks for sharing your tutorials.
By Shantel on Mar 29, 2011 | Reply
You have such good ideas! I have another blog that made this skirt (its a free pattern) and it looks like this one too!
http://www.burdastyle.com/patterns/helena-skirt-a-new-pattern-download
By denise on Mar 29, 2011 | Reply
I always visit your blog and love all your ideas but this one makes me want to run upstairs and see if my husband has a denim shirt. Thanks for the tutorial.
denise
By Maria on Mar 29, 2011 | Reply
I love it! Too bad it’s fall here
When I see these pictures I wish it were summer again. I guess I’ll just have to wait 
By Anna Rasmussen on Mar 30, 2011 | Reply
Thanks for the great tutorial! Cut mine yesterday with a few minor changes. I’ll post it on my blog later today and link to yours.
Now I just have to wait a couple of months for summer to come to Denmark.
By jessie hess on Mar 30, 2011 | Reply
Thank you Alexis for finding a reuse for all the over-sized denim shirts on the rack at the Goodwill! I think I might try this one and maybe one for Olivia as well!!
By Carrie on Mar 30, 2011 | Reply
Oh wow. This is wonderful! Thanks for sharing.
By Carrie on Mar 30, 2011 | Reply
Hope it’s okay that I linked to this on my blog
http://punkiepickle.blogspot.com/2011/03/skirt.html
By Rachel on Mar 31, 2011 | Reply
That came out super cute and I LOVE how you styled it! Your looks are always so fabulous. Thanks for the how-to, I’ll be linking.
By Michelle on Apr 2, 2011 | Reply
The “pocket spot” is my favorite part too!
Very cute little skirt and your styling is top-notch as always! Nice work!
By whatever DeeDee Wants on Apr 2, 2011 | Reply
Love it! Thanks for sharing.
By AriLou on May 10, 2011 | Reply
I love this!!! Hitting up the Salvation Army after school, for sure. Hopefully I won’t clear out their men’s shirts making as many lovely skirts from this tutorial as possible. I’ll be making a post about my attempt to recreate your amazing design, and I’ll link back to you. (Credit where credit is due!)
Thank you!
By Filipa on Aug 1, 2011 | Reply
Thank you for this tutorial! I’ve been saving it on my Favourites for a while and today I could finally do it. The result is a very pretty and practical skirt for my sister!
By Steph on Aug 18, 2011 | Reply
I’m sharing and archiving your link today at SewingTutorialsLibrary.com This is such a cool idea, I can’t wait to try it!!
By Teresa Holt on Aug 30, 2011 | Reply
This is so simple. I have not sewn for years due to attending college classes (working on my degree) and working full time but I’m eager to get back into this….Now that fall is approaching, I want to save money (not that spend a lot on fashion), I like a good bargain and know how to shop wisely, but clothes are still too costly. This simple skirt made out of a mans shirt is a great idea to use in making corduroy or other fall/winter shirts made from a mans shirt. Was a creative imagination and I’m going to try this myself in making this out of a mans shirt. This works great for growing families. I’m not in that category, but for those who are, this is a great money saver.
By Cindy on Sep 9, 2011 | Reply
I’ve been wanting a denim skirt lately, but I don’t want one that is fitted. Definitely going to make this one! I’m an avid recycler, and I often paint on denim. Hmmm.
By Margaret on Feb 12, 2012 | Reply
I amalways looking at these skirts made from men’s shirts. It detest me that buttons are on the wrong side for ladies/girls. This can be solved by making the bottom of teh shirt the top of the skirt so that the buttons open on the correct side for ladies.
By kudzu on Feb 24, 2012 | Reply
really like! thanks so much for the tut:)
By Geraldine on Mar 19, 2012 | Reply
Pretty cute. Similar to what I had in mind.
By Nikell on Mar 23, 2012 | Reply
I found your how to while Googleing some inspiration for my next project. I love it. Thanks for sharing (^_^)
By Echo on Jan 28, 2013 | Reply
I have the same denim shirt so I can make the skirt as yours!
Thank you for sharing!