One of my favourite clothing items to recycle is a cotton, ribbed, striped sweater. This works out well for me, since they seem to be very plentiful in the second hand circuit.
To make a toddler or child’s skirt, cut a wedge shape from the body of a cotton ribbed sweater, using the finished hem of the sweater as the narrow edge of the wedge (top of the skirt). I usually eyeball the size, but you could take a waist measurement or use another skirt as a pattern. Add 3 – 4″ at the top if you want to make a fold-over style waist.
Sew the skirt wrong sides together at the side seams, trim seams close to the stitching. Turn skirt inside out and stitch along the side seams approximately 1″ from the edge, enclosing the rough edges. (You could also serge it if you have one.)
Set your machine to a small, tight zig zag stitch. Fold the bottom edge of the skirt over approximately 1″ to the wrong side, and zig zag along the hem, pulling the sweater taut as you stitch. This creates a ruffle effect along the bottom.
Voila! You have a skirt that is very cozy and super cute. My daughter loves hers and they look really great over leggings or skinny jeans, especially for the colder weather. Good luck with your projects!
About the designer: Amy likes to make stuff. She believes in thrifting, improvising, recycling and making it up as you go along. She also believes that creating connects people and makes life so much sweeter. One-of-a-kind is her favorite kind and handmade is where it’s at. Currently, she spends a lot of time sewing handbags and accessories, aprons, baby and toddler clothing and some other random things as the spirit moves her. Website :: blog :: etsy store
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Do you mean Sew the skirt RIGHT sides out at the side seams? (Is it basically a french seam?)
And I so love the ruffled bottom. Such a great little trick!
This is too cute! And I am beyond smitten with that ruffly hem.
Hi Wendy – Thanks for catching that! oops – first step is sew the skirt WRONG sides together, and then turn it inside out, making a french seam. Thanks!!!
I love it! I’ve been making sweater pants from the sleeves and wondering what to do with all the leftovers. Now I know and am making a skirt or two tonight!.
Thank you for this tutorial! I tried it out myself, but underestimated the stretchiness of the fabric and it was too big in the waist. I posted it on my blog with a link back to you. I will definitely try this fun little skirt again!
Id love to see a tut for the sweater pants too.. the skirt is awesome!!
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