Do you or your husband have multiple button-down shirts in your closet that are never worn? Today, I’m going to show you How To Make A Skirt Out Of A Shirt! This quick and easy tutorial will show you step-by-step on how to turn that unused button-down shirt into a cute little skirt for kids, teens, or adults. Be mindful that the skirt should be double the size in width as the wearer’s hips. My husband’s closet is full of clothes he doesn’t wear or can’t wear anymore. I got the idea to make them into skirts while shopping for some new clothes for my girls. I went home and took them out of his closet. He didn’t mind and was glad for a less crowded space. This sewing upcycle project is perfect for beginners. It only required a few simple steps and can be done in about half an hour. I just love how this skirt looks on my girls. They love it as well. If you have been wanting to make something new without breaking the bank, this project is for you. I used a white dress shirt, but you could mix it up and use one with a print for more variety.

While I don’t use this stitch in this project I wanted to share with you one of my favorite ways to finish off a project with a Ladder Stitch. It is a simple stitch that you will use often once you try it. Ok enough extra sewing tips gather up your supplies from the list below, and let’s get started on the fun shirt sewing project!

What You’ll Need:

- Men’s Button-Down Shirt
- 1 yard of 1” elastic
- 1 safety pin
- Matching thread
- Rotary Cutter & Mat, & Ruler
- Scissors
- Iron/Ironing Board
- Pins and Clips
- Sewing Machine
How To Make A Skirt Out Of A Shirt

Step 1: Cutting the Shirt
The first step in this how to make a shirt into a skirt sewing tutorial is to pick out the shirt you want to use. Once you have done that, you are going to cut a straight line just below the armpits. If you have a rotary blade and cutting mat, you can use a clear ruler and cut with the rotary blade directly across. If you don’t have a rotary blade, you can use a normal ruler or measuring tape and mark where you need to cut, and then cut the line with scissors. Make sure that you are cutting between buttons. Next, lay your shirt flat out to cut. You may want to make sure that the shirt is ironed or steamed to get all the wrinkles out. This is not entirely necessary but will help you cut cleaner and accurate lines.
Note: You can discard the top of the shirt now.

Step 2: Prepare the Top of the Skirt
Lay the bottom half of the shirt flat on the table. Place the cut edge of the bottom button placket with the top button placket. Sew the two plackets together. This will ensure that they stay even while constructing the skirt.

Next on this how to make a shirt into a skirt sewing tutorial, secure the cut edge of the shirt so that it does not unravel. You can either serge around the cut edge or sew a zigzag stitch with your sewing machine.

Fold the serged or zigzag stitched edge down about 1.25” or a little bigger than the width of your elastic. Pin or clip in place. Sew around this pinned edge. Make sure that you are sewing about 1 1/8” from the top to create a casing for the elastic. Again, make sure that your inseam is a little bigger than the elastic you are using. At the end of the stitch, leave about a 3” unsewn section for the elastic to go in.
Helpful Tip: If you are worried about buttons coming undone while wearing this as a skirt, you could sew a straight line down the entire button placket. If you follow the stitches on the placket, your stitches will almost look invisible. However, make sure that you start your stitches below the casing you created. Otherwise, your elastic will not go through.

Step 3: Preparing Elastic Waist
Now on this how to make a shirt into a skirt sewing tutorial, we will work on the waistband. Measure the wearer’s waist. I highly recommend personalizing the elastic measurements. Every elastic has a different amount of stretch, so it is best to try the elastic around the waist before cutting it to length. If you do it this way, just make sure that you cut the elastic about 1” to 2” longer so that you can sew the two ends of the elastic together. If you are unable to personalize the elastic, then cut the elastic about the same measurement of the waist without adding extra.

Now that you have the elastic piece, pin the safety pin to one end of the elastic. You will use this safety pin to feed the elastic through the hole you left and into the casing of the skirt’s waist. Gently pull the elastic through the entire casing being careful not to lose the very end of the elastic.

Once you have pulled the entire elastic through you will have one end of the elastic on one side of the casing and the other end of elastic on the other side of the casing. You will secure these two elastic pieces together by overlapping the elastic by ½” to 1” and sewing them together. Make sure to go back and forth a few times to really secure the elastic.
Last, you are going to finish by pulling the sewn elastic into the casing. Pin the hole closed and sew in place. Try to follow the same stitches you had while creating your casing.

Step 4: Preventing Elastic from Twisting
Next on this how to make a shirt into a skirt sewing tutorial, you can sew both side seams through the elastic to keep your elastic from twisting in the casing. If you keep the stitch even with the original side stitches of the shirt, it will almost look like these stitches were meant to be.

That’s it! Now you know how to make a shirt into a skirt! This simple skirt is so easy and fashionable! You or your model will love the comfortable fit and the buttoned-down skirt!

If you liked how to make a shirt into a skirt, make sure to pin it to your favorite Pinterest board or share it with friends on social media. If you decide to make this simple project on your own, make certain that you take a picture afterward and tag us on social media as we love seeing the fabrics and color choices that people
How To Make A Skirt Out Of A Shirt

Turn an old shirt into a skirt with this simple tutorial. This a great way to reuse shirts you man doesn't wear anymore.
Materials
- Men’s Button-Down Shirt
- 1 yard of 1” elastic
- Matching thread
Tools
Instructions
- Pick out the shirt you want to use. Once you have done that, you are going to cut a straight line just below the armpits.
- Lay the bottom half of the shirt flat on the table. Place the cut edge of the bottom button placket with the top button placket. Sew the two plackets together.
- Secure the cut edge of the shirt so that it does not unravel. You can either serge around the cut edge or sew a zigzag stitch with your sewing machine.
- Fold the serged or zigzag stitched edge down about 1.25” or a little bigger than the width of your elastic. Pin or clip in place.
- Sew around this pinned edge. Make sure that you are sewing about 1 1/8” from the top to create a casing for the elastic. At the end of the stitch, leave about a 3” unsewn section for the elastic to go in.
- Measure the wearer’s waist. Cut the elastic about 1” to 2” longer so that you can sew the two ends of the elastic together. If you are unable to personalize the elastic, then cut the elastic about the same measurement of the waist without adding extra.
- Attach a safety pin to one end of elastic and feed it through the opening you left.
- Overlap ends of the elastic by 1" and sew together. Put it back into the casing and sew hole closed.
- Sew both side seams through the elastic to keep your elastic from twisting in the casing. If you keep the stitch even with the original side stitches of the shirt, it will almost look like these stitches were meant to be.
- Enjoy your new skirt!
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