There is nothing better than a vintage t-shirt that has been washed to its ideal softness. I love taking these old t-shirts and turning them into clothes for my daughter.
Here is a skirt I made with an old Pepsi-Cola shirt. It has cute little fringed hearts on the front and back that I made with the leftovers. The best part is that it is the softest skirt ever and so comfortable. I only wish I could have made it in my size.
Here is the entire outfit. I took a white tank top and added a large fringed heart to the front with the extra t-shirt scraps. I love the little fringed edges of the heart and how they curl.
Here is the t-shirt before I started. It is a little fitted and curves a little at the bottom which gave me the “vision” of the skirt to begin with!
Sienna is between the sizes 2T and 3T right now so hopefully that will give you an idea of the skirt sizing. I measured 11 inches up each side of the t-shirt and cut it across to each of those points. The bottom portion will be the main piece of the skirt.
I used the remaining upper portion of the t-shirt as fabric for my heart patches. I made a small paper heart template and used my disappearing ink pen to draw a bunch of them over the logo. I ended up cutting out four of these and setting them aside.
To help stabilize the fabric before I sewed the heart patches on I cut a rectangular piece of lightweight fusible interfacing (Pellon brand) and I ironed it onto the inside of the skirt. This interfacing is much larger than needed and as the skirt is washed it will slowly start to come off….then I’ll just trim it off around the hearts. I personally think this is much easier than trying to cut a bunch of pieces of the interfacing to fit the patches on the opposite side.
Here is the skirt turned right side out again and I laid out the hearts where I wanted them and pinned them to the skirt.
Next I sewed each heart to the skirt leaving a 1/2 inch border.
After sewing on the heart patches, I used my detail scissors to cut small slits into the 1/2 inch border of the hearts creating fringe.
Next I started working on the waist band of the skirt. I turned the skirt wrong-side out and folded the waist band down 1 1/4 inch all the way around. Tip: t-shirt fabric starts to curl when it is cut so I use spray starch to stiffen the fabric edges. The starch also makes it a little easier to sew.
I sewed 1/4 inch seam all the way around the top of the skirt leaving about an inch gap to thread the elastic through. Before threading the elastic through I stitched another 1/4 seam all the way around the top of the band leaving a 3/4 inch casing.
Next, I threaded an 18.5″ long elastic band through the casing……
…..and sewed the elastic together with a few rows of stitches.
To keep the elastic from shifting inside the casing I like to sew a line of stitches at various points around the waistband. Optional: I also like to stretch the waistband out so there is no gathering and stitch down the center all the way around….keeping the elastic in place all the way around.
The finished skirt!
Here is Sienna wearing her new outfit! So cute!
Let me know if you have any questions! Send me photos of your t-shirt skirts!
Ok, Ashley! You are making all of us other mommies look bad! This is a wonderful tutorial. Thanks for sharing with us!
I love this idea! And here I’ve just been using old shirts as rags. I love the blog. Keep all the creative ideas coming!
old sewing machine fixed
Sharon said… Grandma would be so proud of you.
she sewed all the time. I just got her old machine fixed.
I love this idea! I linked to it!
What a cute skirt!! I posted a link to your tutorial on Craft Gossip Sewing: http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-t-shirt-to-toddler-skirt/2009/06/16/
–Anne
This is soo cute! I can't wait to make one for my little peanut
OH MY HECK!! This is adorable! I cant wait to make one myself! thanks for the great tutorial!!
This is the most precious little outfit. Great tutorial!
that is just too freaking cute,, my girls are big girls now,, but I've got two little neices I could try to do this for.. looks perfect for 4th of July. thanks for sharing,,
This is so cute and green!
Mental note: Must find toddler to make this for!
I am in awe of your sewing abilities. This is pure geniusness.
I'm amazed at what you created! Just adorable!!
I LOVE IT!!!! Especially that you looked at the shirt and had a vision of what it could be. Isn't it awesome when that happens.
I just finished making a skirt for my 2 year old from an old t-shirt. I just had to say thanks for a simple tutorial that this new sewer could understand. I can see many more of these in the future…such an easy skirt to play around in!
you write fabulous tutorials! Thanks for the easy to follow directions to adorable projects…I can't wait to sew up a few for my little girl!
I love this idea! And here I've just been using old shirts as rags. I love the blog.
Cool Shirts
I have been looking for this DIY! I have a really cool vintage orange Daytona shirt, It is one of my fav but am thinkg how adorable this would be on our 2 1/2 yr old granddaughter who wears a size 3T!!