Simple Skirt With Applique From Two T-shirts

I found this awesome cat t-shirt at the local Goodwill and knew I needed to put him to good use. Since I rarely wear t-shirts, I decided to use the shirt to make a skirt applique. Using an oversized t-shirt I was able to make the overall body of the skirt.

Step 1: Cut Both Shirts to Size

First I carefully cut out the cat leaving approximately an inch of excess shirt. I wanted this to add a pop to the skirt since I used contrasting colors.

Then I cut the larger shirt (mine was 4XL because I wanted it to be longer) underneath the sleeves. Doing this created a large cylinder which was consequently too large for my body. To make this more appropriately sized, I removed six inches from the side and sewed the wrong sides together to create a smaller cylinder (sadly I do not have photos of this step).

Step 2: Sew on the Applique

Pin down the applique to the skirt. If you have a seam in the side, as I did, make sure to place the applique in the location where you want it to sit when you are wearing the skirt.

Using a zig zag stitch, sew the applique onto the skirt. I had some initial difficulty with this, but then changed the size of the zig zag so it was wider. I also used red thread which makes the design pop a bit.

Step 3: Add the Elastic Waistband

Decide where you want the skirt to sit on your body. Take the elastic band and wrap it around yourself where it will sit. I like my skirts lower, so I chose to measure around my belly button. Make sure that it fits snuggly, not too tight to be uncomfortable and not loose enough to slip off. Add a half an inch (since we will sew it overlapping) and cut it to size.

Turn the skirt wrong-side out and double over the top of the fabric. Make sure that it is wide enough for a piece of elastic to fit through and then pin it down. Now sew the fabric together but leave an inch gap so that you can weave a piece of elastic in.

Pin the elastic with a safety pin and use this to guide through the casing. Now collect both ends of the elastic and make sure they overlap. I did this at the seam I had previously created so it would not be visible. Pin the pieces together with the skirt and sew them together. Finish by sewing up the gap you had left previously. Here is another way to add the elastic band.