Upcycled Skirt

A great way to reduce your impact and avoid fast fashion is to modify your unwanted/damaged clothes into something you will actually wear.

This is a simple way to turn a dress into a wearable skirt!

You will need:

• Old/unused dress
• Sewing machine
• Quick-unpick
• Elastic
• Pins

Step 1: Unpick at the Seam

Using a quick unpick, separate the top and bottom of the dress by unpicking the seam (if there isn't a seam you can use fabric scissors to cut it)

Step 2: Remove Stray Thread

Remove any leftover thread by pulling it out or cutting it off.

Step 3: Neaten the Edges

Neaten the unpicked edge using a zig zag stitch. Try to sew as close to the edge as you can.

Step 4: Making the Skirt

Turn the skirt inside out

Step 5: Measuring the Length of the Fold

Place the elastic across the top of the skirt, leaving a 1cm gap above. Mark the bottom of the elastic with a pin.

Fold the top of the skirt over the pin. Pin it in place.

Step 6: Sewing the Waist Band

Sew along the edge of the fold, around most of the waist band. Make sure to leave a gap at the end.

Step 7: Inserting the Elastic

Cut the elastic the length of the waist band

Place a safety pin on one end of the elastic.

Use the safety pin to push the elastic through the gap, into the waist band.

Step 8: Pushing the Elastic Through

Pull the elastic through the waist band by scrunching the fabric along it and then straightening it out

Do this until it comes out the other side of the gap

Step 9: Close the Gap

Fold both ends of the elastic into the gap.

Sew underneath the elastic to close the gap.

Rearrange the fabric around the elastic to make sure it fits the way you want.

Sew a line, vertically down the fabric where the two ends overlap, to hold the elastic in place.

Step 10: Finished Skirt

You now have a finished skirt, ready to wear!