Do you know how to make thread tassel trim? Add tassel trim to the hemline of a wrap mini skirt from an upcycled t-shirt.
Plan your summer season with mini skirt from t-shirt projects that will give you more options to wear other than dresses on a hot day. Step up to the zero waste challenge with me and dive into upcycled clothing!
It’s fun to revamp old clothes into a skirt silhouette that you desire. From crop top to t-shirt dress, sift through the best t-shirt upcycle ideas for cute designs you’re guaranteed to love!
Transform your favorite t-shirt into a wrap mini skirt with cute tassels dangling from the hemline. Recycle old t-shirts into new clothes and try these easy ways to create trims that look like store-bought quality.
If you are looking for a cute top to match with this mini skirt design, then I recommend making a crop top from t-shirt to complete a cute DIY summer outfit.
You will love this tassel trim wrap mini skirt from old t-shirt because…
- Learn how to make thread tassel trim from scratch.
- No sewing patterns are required to complete this skirt silhouette.
- Incorporate elastic in waistband for a snug fit.
- Easy ways to individually hand stitch trim to the hemline.
- Practice straight and zigzag overlock stitch on knit material.
For this tutorial, I used an oversized white t-shirt that is lightweight 100% rayon knit jersey. The skirt design is flexible wrap silhouette that you can easily modify to make it dramatic or slight based on your preference.
From drawstring to bias cut ruffle, each tutorial comes with bundles of sewing joy! Have fun with plain or printed t-shirt to create your own style.
How to make tassel trim wrap mini skirt from a t-shirt?
Always review your own measurements for the skirt so that you can estimate if the t-shirt you are about to work on has enough space to cut and sew. Also, it’s important to understand your measurements and adjust accordingly.
I’ve put together a guide for how to take body measurement for clothing. Check your measurement prior to starting the project so that the mini skirt fits you like a glove!
This project requires a basic sewing kit, a t-shirt and an elastic band. Grabs the materials and lets get started!
DIY Tassel Trim Wrap Mini Skirt Materials:
- T-Shirt
- ¾” Elastic Band
- Embroidery Floss
- Sewing Machine
- Fabric Chalk
- Fork
- Measuring Tape
- Ruler
- Scissors
- Straight Pins
To make a tassel trim mini skirt from a t-shirt, fold the tee in half lengthwise and only cut the side seam on one side.
Mark 16” up from the hemline and cut a straight line across.
Measure the hips and waistline to make the back of the mini skirt.
Copy the back piece of the mini skirt with a slight angle at the hemline to make the front of the mini skirt.
Use the sleeve from the original tee to make the wrap skirt overlap for the front of the mini skirt.
Attach the wrap skirt overlap to the front of the mini skirt.
Then, attach the front of the mini skirt to the back of the mini skirt with the right sides facing together.
Use a fork and embroidery floss to make the tassel trim.
Wrap the embroidery floss around the tines of a fork.
Use a short string to tie a knot around the bundle of thread.
Cut the end of the bundle to make a tassel.
Evenly space the tassel trim around the hemline of the skirt.
Hand sew the tassels in place.
Cut a 30” long piece of ¾” elastic band to make a waistband.
Use fabric to make a tunnel around the waistline.
Slide the elastic band through the tunnel to complete the tassel trim mini skirt from a t-shirt.
DIY Tassel Trim Wrap Mini Skirt Sewing Tips:
Even though this mini skirt with tassel trim looks complicated, the steps are super easy! Once you learn what to do with old t-shirts, it’s easy to take the first steps and input the sewing tips to make a smooth transition.
The tips and tricks listed below are for you to review in order to have fun while upcycling this skirt.
- Thread Tassel: This tutorial teaches how to use embroidery floss to accomplish the tassel trim, however you can make the tassels out of any size thread or cord. If you have a problem with the tassels continuing to fray, then simply apply fray-preventing gel to the ends of the trimmed fringe. Completely coat the raw edges and let the fringe dry for an hour.
- Needle: Replace the regular needle to a ballpoint or stretch knit-friendly sewing needle to avoid making extra holes while sewing. This will help you minimize the size of the stitch holes and also avoid having stretched out seams.
- Pins: For knit fabric, you do need different pins compared to woven and silk material. You may use regular pins for medium weight knit fabric, but for lightweight delicate knit make a habit of using ballpoint pins.
- Knit Foot: Always change the sewing foot based on what material you are dealing with. For stretchy fabric, switch to a knit sewing foot to result in clean, crisp edges without being stretched.
- Elastic Band: Finish the waistline by inserting an elastic band. It looks nice and gently hugs comfortably around the narrowest part of the body. Simply cut two straps of knit fabric and double the width of the elastic band to cover. Sew the elastic to the skirt with overlock stitch.
More mini skirt upcycle projects from your old t-shirts:
How To Make Tassel Trim Wrap Mini Skirt
The adorable thread tassel will make your DIY summer outfit dreams come true. Wear it as a casual skirt or even as a swimsuit coverup, we won’t judge!
Learn to make your own tassels and create a skirt without a sewing pattern. Follow the step-by-step tutorial to make this cute tassel trim wrap mini skirt from a t-shirt.
Materials
- T-Shirt
- ¾” Elastic Band
- Embroidery Floss
Tools
- Sewing Machine
- Fabric Chalk
- Fork
- Measuring Tape
- Ruler
- Scissors
- Straight Pins
Instructions
- For this tassel trim mini skirt from t-shirt tutorial, start by folding the tee in half lengthwise.
Cut the side seam ONLY on one side.
- Mark 16” up from the hemline.
Draw a straight line across and cut.
- To make the back of the mini skirt, measure the hips and waistline.
To measure the waistline, measure 7½” from the folded line.
To measure the hips, measure 6½” down from the waistline.
Then, measure 8½” from the folded line.
Draw a line across and cut.
- To make the front of the mini skirt, copy the back piece of the mini skirt onto the back of the original t-shirt.
Mark 5” up from the hemline on one side.
Line up the hemline of the original tee with the mark on the side of the back piece.
Copy the back skirt piece to make the front of the skirt.
- To complete the front of the mini skirt, mark the point halfway across the hemline.
Cut off the sleeve from the original tee.
Open the sleeve by cutting along the underarm seam.
Line up the sleeve hem with the halfway point marked on the skirt hemline.
Trace the hemline and side seam with ½” seam allowance.
Pin to secure and sew the wrap skirt overlap in place.
- To attach the front to the back of the mini skirt, lay the pieces on top of each other with the right sides facing together.
Pin to secure and sew along the side seams.
- To make the tassel trim, use a fork and embroidery floss.
Wrap a piece of the thread around the fork ten times.
Then, use a short piece of thread to tie a knot around the bundle to create a loop at the first tine of the fork.
Use a loop turner to pull another short piece of thread through the loop.
Tie a knot with the string to secure the tassel.
Cut the opposite end of the tassel and trim the ends for a clean finish.
Make twenty one tassels to decorate the bottom of the mini skirt. - To attach the tassel trim to the mini skirt, mark 1½” spacing along the entire bottom of the skirt.
Separate the strands of the embroidery floss on the tassel attachment.
Feed three strands through the eye of a needle.
Hand sew the thread ⅛” from the hem.
Tie a knot with the thread to secure the tassel in place.
Evenly space the tassel trim along the hemline around the skirt bottom. - To make the waistband of the mini skirt, use fabric scraps to make two straps that are 2” by 14½”.
Make a loop by attaching both ends of the straps with the right side facing together.
Fold the loop in half lengthwise to make a tunnel, and pin the loop around the top opening of the mini skirt.
- Cut a piece of ¾” elastic band that is 30” long.
Attach a safety pin to one end of the elastic band;
slide the elastic through the tunnel.
Stitch both ends of the elastic band to complete the waistband and finish the tassel trim mini skirt from a t-shirt.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
