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Cost
$ $ $ $ $
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• • • • •
Time
7h00

Recycled t-shirt and lace skirt
I wanted to do a tutorial on how to make this style skirt. I also wanted a little bit of lace sticking out the bottom, I just love the look. So I grabbed some old t-shirt scraps and my camera and away I went.
I hope with all the pics the entire pattern and instructions are easy to follow.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
PS since these skirts are made with cotton they are cool in the summer and warm with some tights in the winter.

Posted by Recycled Miracles from Stateline, Nevada, United States • Published See Recycled Miracles's 55 projects »
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  • How to sew a prairie skirt. T Shirt Skirt With Ruffle Made With Recycled Materials - Step 1
    Step 1

    This is what I started with. I found a shirt with the pattern on it and knew it had to become a skirt. There are pieces of t-shirt that I had used on other projects.

  • How to sew a prairie skirt. T Shirt Skirt With Ruffle Made With Recycled Materials - Step 2
    Step 2

    Here is the patter I used for this skirt. I wanted 10 panels and my seam allowance was only 1/4" since the seam is on the outside and I wanted it to accent the design and not take it over. I have made many skirts like this and have never had an issue with the 1/4" seam.
    Here is my math part, don't worry it is easy :-)
    I have a 40" waist, so with the top panels being 5" with 1/4" seam allowance, and making 10 panels the waist will be 45" total.
    I have a bad habit of just making things up when I can. The bottom of the skirts fullness is up to you. I made each of my panels 8-1/4" seam allowance included. This seems to be a nice fullness at about 80". The length of the skirt is also up to you. I always measure mine a little longer then wanted, it is easier to cut fabric off then add it on.

  • How to sew a prairie skirt. T Shirt Skirt With Ruffle Made With Recycled Materials - Step 3
    Step 3

    Even stained t-shirts can be used, just cut around the stain.

  • How to sew a prairie skirt. T Shirt Skirt With Ruffle Made With Recycled Materials - Step 4
    Step 4

    Here is how I have my sewing machine set up.

  • How to sew a prairie skirt. T Shirt Skirt With Ruffle Made With Recycled Materials - Step 5
    Step 5

    Here is where the real fun begins. Cut a straight edge on 2 different t-shirts. Pin them together and sew.

  • How to sew a prairie skirt. T Shirt Skirt With Ruffle Made With Recycled Materials - Step 6
    Step 6

    Continue to do this. Cut straight edges, sew together, iron your seam, repeat. At this point you can cut any side of your new piece to add another piece of t-shirt. You want your piece to be at least the size of you pattern.

  • How to sew a prairie skirt. T Shirt Skirt With Ruffle Made With Recycled Materials - Step 7
    Step 7

    Lay your panel pattern on top of your sewn together t-shirts and cut off the excess.

  • How to sew a prairie skirt. T Shirt Skirt With Ruffle Made With Recycled Materials - Step 8
    Step 8

    Here is what you will have once you cut away the extra t-shirt. Take away the pattern and you have a skirt panel, only 9 more to go for me.

  • How to sew a prairie skirt. T Shirt Skirt With Ruffle Made With Recycled Materials - Step 9
    Step 9

    Here is another piece that is ready to be cut out with my pattern.

  • How to sew a prairie skirt. T Shirt Skirt With Ruffle Made With Recycled Materials - Step 10
    Step 10

    Here is that piece cut out.

  • How to sew a prairie skirt. T Shirt Skirt With Ruffle Made With Recycled Materials - Step 11
    Step 11

    Now lay your pieces out and decide what order you want to sew them together. Just sew you panels together.

  • How to sew a prairie skirt. T Shirt Skirt With Ruffle Made With Recycled Materials - Step 12
    Step 12

    Sew along the long edge in the order you placed them.

  • How to sew a prairie skirt. T Shirt Skirt With Ruffle Made With Recycled Materials - Step 13
    Step 13

    Getting closer. Once all the panels are sewn together, and you have wrapped it around you to make sure it will fit. You want the top to be about your measurement. Add more panels if you feels it is to tight then sew the first and last panel together to make a tube.

  • How to sew a prairie skirt. T Shirt Skirt With Ruffle Made With Recycled Materials - Step 14
    Step 14

    Now onto the bottom ruffle. Someone gave me this lace a while ago and I was so happen to finally find a use for it :-) I folded over sections of the lace to make a loose style ruffle. I used a lot of pins to make sure it was exactly as I wanted it. I don't measure each fold, I just eyeball it. I have never had anyone point out that the folds are not all the same and if I did I would tell them to make their own skirt then complain :-)

  • How to sew a prairie skirt. T Shirt Skirt With Ruffle Made With Recycled Materials - Step 15
    Step 15

    After I make sure the bottom of my skirt is cut evenly I sew the lace on to the bottom of the skirt with a zigzag stitch.

  • How to sew a prairie skirt. T Shirt Skirt With Ruffle Made With Recycled Materials - Step 16
    Step 16

    I sew the lace onto the inside of the skirt, like so.

  • How to sew a prairie skirt. T Shirt Skirt With Ruffle Made With Recycled Materials - Step 17
    Step 17

    I cut some of the scraps left over from the skirt into 3" strips and sew them together. I make my ruffle, pinning it directly to the skirt to make sure they are spaced in between the lace ruffles. I like to fold my top ruffle in the opposite direction as the lace, just because I like the look of it, you can fold your ruffles in the same direction if you like. Try both ways on some scraps pieces and see which way you like it.

  • How to sew a prairie skirt. T Shirt Skirt With Ruffle Made With Recycled Materials - Step 18
    Step 18

    Here is what it looks like attached. I like to put a little finishing touch on the bottom and run a 1/4" zigzig, fancy, overcast etc stitch along the bottom.

  • How to sew a prairie skirt. T Shirt Skirt With Ruffle Made With Recycled Materials - Step 19
    Step 19

    You can see the difference here.

  • How to sew a prairie skirt. T Shirt Skirt With Ruffle Made With Recycled Materials - Step 20
    Step 20

    The top band was done with the top of a pair of yoga pants that were riddled with holes. The top band fit perfectly and it already had elastic and a drawstring.

  • How to sew a prairie skirt. T Shirt Skirt With Ruffle Made With Recycled Materials - Step 21
    Step 21

    I have a barstool that works great for this part. I stretch the top band over the seat then pin, adjust, repin, etc until I have the bottom of the skirt sandwiched in between the inside and outside of the band.
    carefully take your pinned piece and sew with a stitch that will stretch. If nothing else a zigzag stitch will work.

  • How to sew a prairie skirt. T Shirt Skirt With Ruffle Made With Recycled Materials - Step 22
    Step 22

    Once it was complete I realized I want a little pocket, so with a black t-shirt scrap and a little piece of elastic suited this pocket

  • How to sew a prairie skirt. T Shirt Skirt With Ruffle Made With Recycled Materials - Step 23
    Step 23

    I wear an X-large and the fit was great. Here is me in the skirt.

  • How to sew a prairie skirt. T Shirt Skirt With Ruffle Made With Recycled Materials - Step 24
    Step 24

    And the back.

  • How to sew a prairie skirt. T Shirt Skirt With Ruffle Made With Recycled Materials - Step 25
    Step 25

    Here is my friend, Amanda, who wears a medium and with the drawstring and elastic the skirt fit her also.
    PS she tried it on and wore it out, I feel I will have lost this skirt to her :-)

  • How to sew a prairie skirt. T Shirt Skirt With Ruffle Made With Recycled Materials - Step 26
    Step 26

    Here is another skirt that I made with the same pattern. The only thing different is the bottom has 3 ruffles instead of just 2.

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Comments

Recycled Miracles
Recycled Miracles · Stateline, Nevada, US · 63 projects
Thank you for your kind words. It is much easier to make then it looks. I love making them.
Reply
J. Pario
J. Pario · Lincoln, Nebraska, US · 26 projects
This skirt is super-cute and your instructions are excellent! I love how it looks complicated to make, but is actually simple.
Reply

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