How to Make a Two-Color A-Line Tee Skirt

comments (20) April 28th, 2009

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Lee Meredith, contributor

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Sew a twirly skirt with two coordinating recycled tees!

For a deconstructed style, you can leave the bottom edges crooked.

You can choose to add a drawstring tie or elastic band for a tighter fit.

Sew a twirly skirt with two coordinating recycled tees!

Photo: Pete Bejarano

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I love making skirts in the springtime, and while playing around with some recycled T-shirts a couple of years ago, I came up with this design, which I still love! I've made four skirts like this so far, and plan on making many more! All you really need are two T-shirts and a sewing machine, but you can choose to add an elastic or drawstring waistband for extra security, or if you're a more experienced sewer, I'm sure you could add your own touches to make your skirt a bit more elaborate. This basic design is simple enough for anyone who can use scissors and sew a straight line!

You'll need:

Two T-shirts, approximately the same size (details below)
Scissors (and a rotary cutter is helpful)
Measuring tape
Chalk or fabric marker
Sewing machine and thread
Elastic tape or drawstring material (optional)

For your T-shirts, it will work better if they are similar thickness and stretchiness, and, of course, choose coordinating colors. By following the instructions exactly, the bigger the shirts are, the more your skirt will flare out, but if you want to use big T-shirts without so much flare, you can just cut your pieces smaller. This also goes for if you want to use two different sizes—you can cut the bigger shirt's pieces to be the same size as the smaller shirt. Keep in mind your skirt's length will be a bit shorter than the shortest T-shirt's length, so don't choose too-small shirts.

I chose these two similarly sized shirts (adult M and L) in colors that look good together.

Start by cutting each T-shirt into two big rectangles, front and back. Cut the front first, as wide as possible inside where the sleeves come into the body and just below the collar.

Cut the biggest rectangle you can fit in the front of the shirt.

Then cut the same size from the back. Repeat for the other shirt—you can use the first shirt's rectangle as a template, but it's not necessary that they are exactly the same size.

You should have four big rectangles like this.

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posted in: sewstylish feature, fabric, wearable, recycle, skirt, t-shirt, a-line

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Comments (20)

JeanFlorian writes: @bizbuzz: without a zigzag machine, when you sew knits there are some things to do to prevent the thread breaking. I assume your thread breaks after the thing is stitched together? Use a long stitch length, and slightly stretch the fabric as it sews. That way there is give to the seam so the thread won't break once it is finished.
Posted: 6:25 am on March 26th

DanaBee writes: This is so stinkin' cute! I knew there was a reason all these years to hold on to every t-shirt I ever owned.
Posted: 10:08 pm on March 10th

Flippincool writes: Great tute, Lee. I've posted a link to it in a summer tutorial post on my blog, The Handmade Experiment. Check it out at http://emilyflippinmaruna.wordpress.com/2009/06/15/must-make-monday-its-summer-tutes/

Thanks and have a great summer!
Emily
Posted: 1:38 pm on June 15th

cirone writes: i love all the t-shirt restyles!

i wonder if anyone has restyle ideas for men's shirts? i'd love to turn my husband's old shirts into wearable stuff for me :)
Posted: 11:26 am on June 12th

Sweet_Dee writes: LOVE! i am so gonna try this cool t-skirt! lol!
Posted: 8:19 pm on May 29th

smartstyle writes: I can't wait to start making mine!!
Posted: 7:01 pm on May 17th

bizbuzz writes: I've been trying to restyle a couple of tees similar to this and I'm having trouble with my thread breaking. I have an ancient machine that has no zigzag function. My question is: what tension/needle type/thread type should I be using when sewing tee shirts?
Posted: 10:13 am on May 15th

multicrafty writes: I just finished making this project! It was super easy, super fun, and the fit is awesome!!! I didn't add the seam allowance when cutting but still had to add an elastic casing for security. It is now my favorite skirt! Thank you so much for the project, I'll be making more!
Posted: 10:01 pm on May 10th

rainbowscuba writes: I love it too! Just made one for my little girl in about an hour. Will need to make more for everyone including myself!
Thanks so much!
Posted: 5:52 pm on May 7th

mommaviv writes: I love it! what a great way to use a treasured t-shirt that may have gotten a small stain or tiny rip in it too.

Posted: 10:00 pm on May 2nd

JennieC writes: Darling.
Posted: 7:22 pm on May 2nd

TraciP writes: Im going to make several! COOL!~~~
Posted: 3:31 pm on May 2nd

JenniferStern writes: Hey Meredith--Stylehive did a post about your skirt in their blog--very cool!
Posted: 6:29 pm on May 1st

CalPatch writes: oooh, i need to make a few of these! very cool...
Posted: 12:02 pm on May 1st

WendyQM writes: I made it! I LOVE it! It took about an hour. Great idea. I will try to upload a picture soon!

Posted: 11:50 pm on April 29th

NotWendy writes: See why you should never throw anything away? People who call me a packrat don't know how fun it can be. Sounds like a great project.
Posted: 2:46 pm on April 29th

lisamarie817 writes: I made one of these last night - I love it!!! It is, without a doubt, the most comfortable skirt in the world. It took me less than an hour from start to finish.

I discovered that if I stacked up all four rectangles face up before I made the diagonal cut then I could eliminate the crooked bottom edge altogether and have the colors still alternate properly. I just stitch the diagonal sides to diagonal sides and straight-grain sides to straight-grain sides.
Posted: 10:38 am on April 29th