Bustled Skirt From T-Shirts

Intro: Bustled Skirt From T-Shirts

One more entry for the t-shirt challenge! This skirt was inspired by the wedding skirt in "Generation T".
It's very comfortable, and though I was hesitant to wear it at first, it has definitely grown in my appreciation!

Materials: 6 t-shirts (I got mine at Goodwill). Get them the same size!

STEP 1: Cut T-shirts

Cut all t-shirts straight across, just under the armholes, forming tubes.

STEP 2: Make Rectangles

Open four of the t-shirts up by cutting along one side seam.

Sew two of the rectangles together; repeat with the other two rectangles. (Do not sew these larger rectangles together!)

I put all of the seams on the right sides of the garment, so that they would show on the eventual skirt.

STEP 3: Sew Rectangle Edges to Tubes

Take one of your sewn rectangle strips and one of the uncut tubes. Fold the tube flat and sew the two raw edges of the rectangles to the edges of the tubes.

Repeat with the other tube and rectangle.

The double layer formed by the tube will be the front panel of the skirt.

STEP 4: Sew Tubes Together

I put the two hemmed edges of the t-shirts on the same side, but offset (so that both hemmed edges will show in front) and sewed them together.

STEP 5: Sew Top Tube Up the Back

Lay the skirt flat , front panels folded in half on one edge.

Measure your waist; divide by two, and subtract a couple of inches. Measuring from the center of the front panels, leave this measurement open. Sew the remainder of the top tube closed.

Try it on- the construction of the skirt is finished! If the waist is too big, sew it smaller!

STEP 6: Tack Corner

Tack the corner of the top tube to a higher part of the top tube seam. This creates the bustle effect and keeps the skirt from dragging on the ground.

STEP 7: Embellish!

My original shirts had pockets and lace on some of them; I decided to add a few of these elements back into the final garment. You could also make your own pockets, ruffles, or rosettes out of scrap fabric and attach them to the skirt.

STEP 8: Enjoy!

The skirt is comfortable and swingy, and the train blows in the wind!

Comments

[aikiaterine]

Hi, I want to make this skirt but I'm not quite sure what is happening with the tubes. The two that are not cut, in earlier steps, are they ever cut? And when you wear the skirt, are your legs going through these uncut tubes?

[SelkeyMoonbeam]

Sorry, that is a bit confusing! The tubes are never cut, and your legs don't go through them; they are just there to make the front panel of your skirt thicker (especially important if they're white).
I'd love to see a picture of yours when it's done– I'm around for questions if anything else is confusing!

[buirv]

Nice - Very Nice looking...