Okay ladies, I decided to do a tutorial for those who are like me, sewing beginners, savvy seamstress please bare with me and my lack of sewing tools and lack of sewing terms. I only use what I have in hand which is not much, so here it goes, I hope you get the idea of how to do it at least.
This is an old thrifted skirt that is too small on the waist and loo long.
I cut off the waist and removed the pockets.
I laid it down on a plain surface and measured my preferred length, this requires a little math.
I did the following calculation:
22.5 in. length + 1 in. for belt + 1 in. for paper waist effect + 2 in. for facing + 1/2 in for seam = 27 inches long (this length is for me but yours might be different).
I measured and marked the length (27 in) with a chalk.
Since the skirt is a little rounded at the bottom I used a rounded ruler to connect all the dots, I don't do a straight line because then the skirt would come out too bulky on the front and uneven on the sides.
I connected the dots using the end of the rounded ruler to match the measured length.
I cut out the fabric following the line measured.
I made new holes to insert the pockets. I will not show you how I did it because to tell you the truth it was the first time I sewed pockets and well..let's just say I'm happy I did it, I just have no idea how! If you don't want to mess with pockets just sew them close.
I measured and the length of the skirt (22.5 in.) and added 1 in for elastic and 1 in. for paper waist effect (24.5 in. total), turn over the rest of the fabric (2.5 in.) and pressed.
I measured the seam, I always do a 1/2 in seam. Pressed and pinnned everything into place.
Once everything was pinned I sewed.
I left a hole so I could insert the elastic later on.
My elastic is 1 in. so I measured a bit over 1 in. so it can go in freely. I marked and sewed.
Once everything was sewn I used my ruler kind of like a needle (I pinned my elastic to it) and in went the elastic through the whole.
Once the elastic was in I pinned the two ends of the elastic and sewed them together.
I closed the little hole with some hand stiching. Voila! A new skirt!
Please forgive me if this tutorial is more confusing than helping, it's my first one, I hope it gives you an idea of what to do. =D
15 Responses to “How to refashion an old skirt to a paper bag waist skirt.”
me encanta el trabajo que hiciste con la falda!! te quedo divina! también la falda roja me encanto! yo quiero una así!!! jajajaja
saludos
your blog is lovely! i just found it and i'm in love! i will be here every day until i die. i love your style and creativity!
Great tutorial! It made perfect sense and the final result is so cute :D I really must drag my sewing machine out of the closet.
I just got a new sewing machine from my mom-in-law! Your tutorials will sure be helpful :) Thanks!
Your last comment: I agree! People get so impressed about thrift finds now. It's incredible. No need to hide the fact that we are thrifty AND fashionable!
Yay! I thrifted two sheets yesterday for sewing skirts. I am too cheap to buy fabric at an actual fabric store when I have no faith in my sewing abilities. I'm hoping to try to make a skirt like this one this week. :)
Great tutorial! :)
Great tutorial. My goal is to be pretty and modest all at the same time as well. You do an awesome job of it. Love your blog; so I'm adding you to my blog roll so I won't miss a post.
Trudy
www.sewingwithtrudy.blogspot.com
Makes perfect sense to me! This is a style I will have to experiment with. I like the ruffly effect at the waist.
EXCELLENT. I don't have a sewing machine yet, sooooo I'll have to still keep visiting my seamstress!!
Chandra
cute! i've been wanting a sewing machine, this is such a great project!
How fabulous! You're pretty savy to refashion a skirt which is too small.
Your curved ruler is cool. I've never used anything that fancy!
I love it, it's a great tutorial for sewing a simple skirt from scratch too!
This was pretty helpful on how to sew pockets and make a skirt smaller.This surely will help!
I know I haven't been commenting or giving anything the last days(so this could end up in a very long post) but first I want to thank you for the Enchiladas recipe.Wow,it's such an honour to have something so traditional and 'personal' from your dear grnadma! I just wondered about the meat.Is it not usual to put meat in it?Anyways I will sure try it(maybe not for breakfast...chihi).
And about you keeping us in your prayers..that was really touching.I have another friend in America and he said he'd put my mother's name on the list from their prayer group.This is all so overwhelming and until now my mother survived it all and I am faithful now.
God bless you my dear and have a sunny day!
You are a great teacher : )
You are so talented. I would never be able to do something so crafty! :) The skirt is beautiful, LOVE the stripes!
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