Upcycle a Pillowcase into a Skirt
Recycle a pillowcase to make a sweet skirt. This is the easiest skirt to make because it's practically already made for you. The top of the pillowcase already has a drawstring casing and the sides are already sewn.
I have added a variation on the basic pillowcase skirt design with some gathered side slits and ribbon. These gathered sides make the skirt easy to walk in and coordinates with the drawstring ribbon.
What You'll Need:
(Need help? Ask in the forum.)
Cut Bottom of Pillowcase
Cut off the bottom of the pillow along the sewn seam to make a tube. Try on the skirt to see how long it will be. If you would like it shorter, mark it with chalk while you're trying it one.
Next, you can cut slits on the sides.
(Need help? Ask in the forum.)
Measure and Cut the Side Slits
Putting small slits down each side of the skirt will make it easier to walk in. Use your measuring tape to mark 6" from the bottom on each side of the pillowcase. Cut up the side of the pillowcase to your mark.
In the next step, we will put holes in the slits so that we can add lacing.
(Need help? Ask Rain on Facebook)
Cut Holes for the Ribbon
We will add ribbon to your side slits to give the skirt a nice gathered look at the bottom. You don't have to do this part, you can simply leave your side slits as they are. The lacing helps to give the skirt a finished look.
Use a grommet punch or simply a pair of scissors. a grommet punch makes this step much quicker. Make a small hole at the top of the slit, cutting through both layers. Keep about a half inch from the edge of your slit.
Continue to make holes every inch until you have made five holes and reached the 4" mark on your measuring tape. Use the photo above as a guide.
When your holes are in place, add the ribbon
(Need help? Ask Rain on Facebook)
Add the Ribbon and Gather
Thread the ribbon through the first two holes until you get to the middle of the ribbon. Open your side slit and lace the ribbon through the holes in the side of the fabric that the ribbon is on. Don't crisscross the ribbon to the other side. use the above photo as a guide.
Push up on the fabric, gathering it loosely. Tie the ribbon in a bow on each side.
Next we will cut and stitch the drawstring holes.
(Need help? Ask Rain on Facebook)
Find the side of your skirt that has the seam. This seam should be sewn all the way up the pillowcase. You will need to put a hole on each side of this seam for your drawstring.
Carefully snip a 1/2" long cut on each side. You can stop here, but if you want your drawstring holes to be durable, you should take the time to sew the above 'buttonhole stitch' along each opening.
Now you'll thread the drawstring to finish.
(Need help? Ask Rain on Facebook)
Measure out a piece of ribbon that is 4" longer than the waist of your skirt.
Attach a safety pin to the ribbon and push it through one drawstring hole. Scrunch it through the fabric until it comes out of the other hole. Remove the safety pin and you're done.
Tips:
(Need help? Ask Rain on Facebook)
Are You a DIY Geek?
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Unbelievable DIY Fashion Makeovers:
10 Upcycled T-Shirt Tutorials . 5 Ways to Turn Jeans into a Skirt . Cassette Tape Wallet .10 Clothing Repairs You Should Know . 5 Ways to Make Placemat Purses
Easy DIY Jewelry:
7 Paper Jewelry Projects - Junk Drawer Jewelry . Disney World Penny Bracelet . Safety Pin Bracelet . Pop Tab Bracelet . Credit Card Earrings
Recycle a pillowcase to make a sweet skirt. This is the easiest skirt to make because it's practically already made for you. The top of the pillowcase already has a drawstring casing and the sides are already sewn.
I have added a variation on the basic pillowcase skirt design with some gathered side slits and ribbon. These gathered sides make the skirt easy to walk in and coordinates with the drawstring ribbon.
What You'll Need:
- One Pillowcase
- Scissors [recommended scissors]
- Ribbon
- (optional) Grommet Punch
(Need help? Ask in the forum.)
Cut Bottom of Pillowcase
Cut off the bottom of the pillow along the sewn seam to make a tube. Try on the skirt to see how long it will be. If you would like it shorter, mark it with chalk while you're trying it one.
Next, you can cut slits on the sides.
(Need help? Ask in the forum.)
Measure and Cut the Side Slits
Putting small slits down each side of the skirt will make it easier to walk in. Use your measuring tape to mark 6" from the bottom on each side of the pillowcase. Cut up the side of the pillowcase to your mark.
In the next step, we will put holes in the slits so that we can add lacing.
(Need help? Ask Rain on Facebook)
Cut Holes for the Ribbon
We will add ribbon to your side slits to give the skirt a nice gathered look at the bottom. You don't have to do this part, you can simply leave your side slits as they are. The lacing helps to give the skirt a finished look.
Use a grommet punch or simply a pair of scissors. a grommet punch makes this step much quicker. Make a small hole at the top of the slit, cutting through both layers. Keep about a half inch from the edge of your slit.
Continue to make holes every inch until you have made five holes and reached the 4" mark on your measuring tape. Use the photo above as a guide.
When your holes are in place, add the ribbon
(Need help? Ask Rain on Facebook)
Add the Ribbon and Gather
Thread the ribbon through the first two holes until you get to the middle of the ribbon. Open your side slit and lace the ribbon through the holes in the side of the fabric that the ribbon is on. Don't crisscross the ribbon to the other side. use the above photo as a guide.
Push up on the fabric, gathering it loosely. Tie the ribbon in a bow on each side.
Next we will cut and stitch the drawstring holes.
(Need help? Ask Rain on Facebook)
Find the side of your skirt that has the seam. This seam should be sewn all the way up the pillowcase. You will need to put a hole on each side of this seam for your drawstring.
Carefully snip a 1/2" long cut on each side. You can stop here, but if you want your drawstring holes to be durable, you should take the time to sew the above 'buttonhole stitch' along each opening.
Now you'll thread the drawstring to finish.
(Need help? Ask Rain on Facebook)
Measure out a piece of ribbon that is 4" longer than the waist of your skirt.
Attach a safety pin to the ribbon and push it through one drawstring hole. Scrunch it through the fabric until it comes out of the other hole. Remove the safety pin and you're done.
Tips:
- Try this project with fun character pillow cases. I've found some great 80's cartoon pillowcases at the thrift store.
- Add a patch to your skirt that matches your ribbon.
- If you thought this was easy, try making a longer drawstring skirt.
(Need help? Ask Rain on Facebook)
Are You a DIY Geek?
TARDIS Phone Case Tutorial . Paint Star Wars Heels . Zombie Makeup Tips and Tricks . Make a Pair of Ruby Slippers . Dress like Joan from Mad Men . Melt a Record Album Tray
Unbelievable DIY Fashion Makeovers:
10 Upcycled T-Shirt Tutorials . 5 Ways to Turn Jeans into a Skirt . Cassette Tape Wallet .10 Clothing Repairs You Should Know . 5 Ways to Make Placemat Purses
Easy DIY Jewelry:
7 Paper Jewelry Projects - Junk Drawer Jewelry . Disney World Penny Bracelet . Safety Pin Bracelet . Pop Tab Bracelet . Credit Card Earrings