Recycle Renew Reuse RE-ALLY

I sat down at my sewing machine on Saturday, it was the first time in a very long time. I recycled little girl tank tops into little girl skirts. I tried to recycle my finger too, not sure what I was trying to create but I really ended up with a mess.

This extremely wonderful idea came to me while I was searching through clothes at the Goodwill hunting down skirts for a two year old that refuses to wear pants or shorts. I couldn't find anything that I loved so I moved on. While I was browsing through the shirts the idea clicked. I can cut the tops of these shirts off and make skirts. ONLY, after looking around I noticed that the tank tops on this beautiful 50% off Saturday were only 99 cents. I picked out about six that I liked, found a couple of bags of different colored threads for 50% off, and bought some elastic at Walmart. I came home cut the tops off of the tank tops, set them next to my sewing machine and there they have sat for about two months.

Saturday I sat down at my sewing machine in the mood for a little crafting. Next to my sewing machine I found, unfinished recycle projects, unfinished dresses for Kendal, mending that needed to be done, and a Cub Scout shirt in need of patches. I was busy doing something that I loved and once I am finished with the wonderful stack of things to sew I plan on making a new stack. This time some aprons for the kids, hair bows for the girls, and a little something recycled for me.

Here is the break down for the Tank Top to a skirt project.

First you need to find tank tops or regular shirts will work too that flare out a little and are pretty long. The length of the tank and how long you need the skirt to be is going to be the deciding factor, it was easy to find tanks long enough for Kendal but it was a little difficult to find some long enough for Maggie. I checked out the women's section but I didn't really see anything I liked, but that is definitely an option for longer skirts. You may already have something in your closet, baby doll shirts work great!

To Make:

1. Place the shirt on a cutting surface. Using a straight edge find a spot just under the arms or straps of the shirt where you can cut a straight line. Rotary blades work great but scissors will do the job too.


2. You can throw away the top of the shirt or get creative and use it to embellish the skirt with ruffles or maybe even a matching flower for her hair.


3. Hope you know sewing terms. Now all you have to do is make a casing at the top for an elastic band.


4. Insert the elastic; Tip: Fasten a safety pin on one end to make it easier to insert the elastic. Sew the ends of your elastic together.


5. Sew your casing closed.


VIOLA!! No hems! WOO HOO! Already has ruffles and embellishments! YES!


Very easy project and each skirt only ended up costing a little over $1.00 each, that's cheaper than fabric. To recycle all six skirts only took me a little over an hour.

Sorry no before pictures, you will just have to trust me that at one time all of these skirts used to be shirts.

I can't wait to tell you my no brainer, brainiac idea for bloomers! Next time.

Happy Sewing!