Make this adorable tiered ruffle mini skirt to prepare for the coming summer season, another mini skirt from t-shirt design. DIY fashion is exciting to wear, not only do the pieces look cute and fit well, but you made it!
Transform old clothes into trendy clothing using refashion techniques. T-shirt upcycle ideas include a wide range of inspirations that are guaranteed to upgrade your DIY wardrobe.
Hot weather encourages you to shed the excess layers and lighten up your wardrobe. From off the shoulder to balloon silhouettes and ruffled detail, upcycled clothing allows you to accomplish current fashion trends using old clothing.
The crisp and airy jersey knit is perfect to accomplish this cute skirt. Pair your ruffle mini skirt with a crop top from t-shirt for an outfit that matches both fabric and style.
You will love this tiered ruffle mini skirt from t-shirt because…
- No sewing pattern needed to make this skirt from a shirt.
- Learn how to make a skirt that fits your body measurements.
- Sew ruffles with an elastic band to gather the fabric.
- Double layer tiers create depth and volume on the skirt silhouette.
- Easy sewing project for beginners to accomplish a wearable style with high quality finishes.
For this upcycle t-shirt project, I used a four way stretchy light-weight knit fabric tee. If you have colored or print pattern t-shirt, don’t hesitate to personalize the tiered ruffle mini skirt for you!
The crisp and airy surface naturally creates gathering around the waist, so attaching elastic around the waistline enhances that feature. In addition, there is no need to hem this skirt because the raw edges give a nice curl that won’t fray.
If you want to add one more tier, feel free to make three tiers instead of two. Follow the step-by-step pictures, detailed instructions and helpful video to guide the journey of making this ruffle mini skirt with tiers.
How to make tiered ruffle mini skirt from t-shirt?
In general, a tee folded when stored in the closet or on a shelf. As a result, it tends to end up with creased lines that affect the working surface of the garment.
Folded lines makes it so hard to accurately cut and sew. Therefore it’s important to take a moment to wash and dry or even lightly iron the fabric to remove any creases.
Furthermore, make sure to review the measurements from this tutorial so that you have enough material to work with. Another important factor you need for this project is knowing your waist size. So, grab your measuring tape and let me help you take body measurements for clothing so the mini skirt fits you perfectly.
This beginners project is fairly straight forward and only requires a basic sewing kit. Grab your essential tools, a t-shirt and let’s get started on this upcycle project.
DIY Tiered Ruffle Mini Skirt Materials:
- T-Shirt
- ¾” Elastic Band
- Sewing Machine
- Fabric Chalk
- Measuring Tape
- Ruler
- Scissors
- Straight Pins
To make a tiered ruffle mini skirt from t-shirt, cut off the bottom hem.
Fold the tee in half lengthwise, mark 16” up from the hemline and cut a straight line across to make the mini skirt.
Cut a 28” long piece of ¾” elastic band to make a waistband for the mini skirt.
Attach both ends of the elastic band to make a loop.
Stretch while sewing zigzag stitch to attach the ruffled skirt piece to the elastic band. This technique will bunch up the fabric and ruffle the skirt.
Use the top of the original tee to make the ruffled tier piece.
Attach the ruffled tier to the ruffled mini skirt.
Topstitch around the waistband to finish the tiered ruffle mini skirt from a t-shirt.
DIY Tiered Ruffle Mini Skirt Sewing Tips:
If you have never sewn knit material before, this DIY tiered ruffle mini skirt tutorial will give you the confidence needed to get started. Prepare for this upcycle project by reviewing the sewing tips and tricks listed below so that you prevent from being stuck and avoid unnecessary mistakes.
- Needle: Change the needle into stretch needle or ballpoint needle when sewing knits. Depending on the fabric weight, double check and test on piece of fabric beforehand. Using a universal needle on knit fabric can make a hole on each stitch that damages the surface of the material.
- Thread: The t-shirt was 100% rayon jersey, so I used 100% polyester blend thread to accomplish the zigzag and overlock stitches.
- Walking Foot: A walking foot is not completely necessary for this project. However, if you experience the fabric being eaten by the feed dog, feel free to change to a walking foot to prevent the issue.
- Waistband: A tunnel casing is the easiest way to sew a waistband. Simply make a casing and slide the elastic through to the other side, overlap both ends the band and stitch to close. The elastic waistband will create natural shirring and ruffles by bunching up the fabric.
- Hem: Leave the cut edge instead of zigzag stitching the hemline on each ruffled tier. Knit fabric has a tendency to hold up well compared to woven fabric that always frays. To keep the light and airy look, I decided to keep the hem unfinished.
More cute mini skirt from t-shirt upcycle projects:
How To Make Tiered Ruffle Mini Skirt
The step by step pictures, detailed instructions and video tutorial will help you complete this tiered ruffle mini skirt from a t-shirt. Pair with your favorite crop tops for a trendy summer season look!
Materials
- T-Shirt
- ¾” Elastic Band
Tools
- Sewing Machine
- Fabric Chalk
- Measuring Tape
- Ruler
- Scissors
- Straight Pins
Instructions
- For this tiered ruffle mini skirt from t-shirt tutorial, start laying the tee flat.
Cut off the hem across the bottom.
- To make the ruffled skirt piece, fold the tee in half lengthwise.
Mark 16” up from the hemline.
Draw a straight line across and cut.
- To make the ruffled tier piece, use the top of the original tee.
Draw a straight line just underneath the neckline from the folded line to the armhole opening.
Then, draw a straight line down to the bottom.
Mark 8” down along the side seam.
Draw a smooth arch connecting the point with the bottom corner of the folded edge.
Cut to make a curved line for the ruffled tier. - To attach the front to the back of the ruffled tier, 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 a waistband for the mini skirt, cut a piece of ¾” elastic band that is 28” long.
Attach both end together to make a loop.
- To complete the ruffled mini skirt, fold the ruffled skirt piece in half.
Use fabric chalk to mark four equal distances from each other.
- Then, fold the waistband in half.
Use a pencil to mark four equal distances from each other.
- Line up the markings on the waistband to the markings on the ruffled skirt piece; pin to secure.
Zigzag stitch to join the ruffled skirt piece to the elastic band.
Pro tip: Stretch while sewing to ruffle the fabric with bunching.
- To attach the ruffled tier, slide the ruffled mini skirt inside of the ruffled tier.
Pin to secure, and topstitch around the waistband to complete the tiered ruffle mini skirt from a t-shirt.
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