Deborah Chan
There are many reasons why someone may want to turn their wedding dress into a skirt. They may no longer enjoy wearing the dress but still like the print, or they may want to make their wedding dress more wearable for multiple wears. This can be done by removing the train or shortening the length to ankle, midi, or mini length. This tutorial will show you how to turn a dress into a skirt with some basic sewing skills and a sewing machine.
Characteristics and Values
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sewing skills required | Basic to beginner level |
| Sewing machine required | Yes |
| Needle type | Appropriate for fabric |
| Fabric type | Stretchy, chiffon, etc. |
| Dress type | Maxi, vintage, etc. |
| Skirt type | Midi, mini, ballet length, etc. |
| Waistband type | Enclosed, elastic |
| Additional items | Safety pin, elastic, ribbon, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
Measure and cut the dress, leaving enough fabric for the skirt
Before you begin the transformation, decide on the length of your skirt. If you're unsure, lay a skirt you already own on top of the wedding dress and add 1 1/4 inches to the length before cutting.
Next, put on the dress and figure out where you want the waist to sit. Mark this spot with a pin. Take off the dress and lay it flat on a table. Measure 1.5 inches above the pin and mark this point with tailor's chalk or a pencil. Cut the top off your dress here.
If your skirt has a lining, serge or zig-zag stitch the cut edge of your skirt and the lining together. Then, fold the edge down 1.5 inches all the way around and stitch an elastic casing 1.25 inches down from the folded edge, leaving about a 2-inch opening to feed the elastic through.
Now, cut a piece of elastic to your desired length. You can measure this by wrapping the elastic around your waist. It should be smaller than your waist so it stretches comfortably but not so small that it feels tight. Before threading the elastic through the casing, fold the serged or zig-zagged edge of your skirt in 1.5 inches and pin it in place.
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Prepare the fabric by serging or zig-zag stitching to avoid fraying
Preparing the fabric by serging or zig-zag stitching is an important step to prevent fraying and ensure a neat finish for your skirt. Here's a detailed guide on how to do it:
First, lay your wedding dress flat on a table. Using a measuring tape, measure 1.5 inches above the desired waistline and mark this point with tailor's chalk or a pencil. This marking will be your guide for cutting and stitching. Cut the dress fabric at this marked line.
Next, you'll create a clean edge by serging or zig-zag stitching. Serge the cut edge of your soon-to-be skirt to finish the raw fabric and prevent fraying. If your dress has a lining, be sure to serge or zig-zag stitch that fabric together with the outer fabric for a neat and unified look. This step adds durability to your skirt and ensures that the fabric won't unravel or fray during wear or washing.
After serging or zig-zagging the edge, you'll create the elastic casing. Fold the serged or zig-zagged edge down by 1.5 inches all the way around the skirt. This step neatly tucks away the raw edge, giving a professional finish. Stitch along this folded edge, leaving a small gap of about 2 inches. This gap is crucial for feeding the elastic through to create the waistband.
Now you have a neatly prepared fabric edge that is ready for the next steps of creating your skirt. You can follow online tutorials for adding elastic and completing your upcycled skirt. Remember to choose the right needle and thread for your fabric type to ensure a smooth sewing experience and a sturdy finish.
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Fold the fabric to create a waistband
To create a waistband, you will need to cut off the top of the dress, leaving some extra fabric to work with. The amount of fabric you leave will depend on the desired width of the waistband.
First, place the dress on a flat surface and mark the desired length of the skirt with a pin. Then, decide how wide you want the waistband to be and add this measurement to the length of the skirt, marking it with tailor's chalk or a pencil. Cut the dress along the line you have drawn, leaving a few extra inches of fabric above the waistline.
Now, it is time to create the waistband. Fold the raw edge of the fabric towards the inside of the skirt, creating a tunnel for the elastic waistband. Pin the folded edge in place, leaving a small gap of around 2 inches to insert the elastic. Sew along the folded edge, again leaving the gap unstitched.
Next, cut a piece of elastic to the desired length, usually the circumference of your waist minus one inch. Attach a safety pin to one end of the elastic and thread it through the tunnel you have created, ensuring it does not twist. Try on the skirt and adjust the elastic until it fits comfortably. Mark the overlap of the elastic with a pin and sew the ends together with a zigzag stitch. Finally, sew the gap in the tunnel closed, and your skirt is ready to wear!
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Sew the waistband, leaving a gap to insert elastic
Now that you've cut your wedding dress to your desired skirt length, it's time to sew the waistband, leaving a gap to insert the elastic.
First, turn the skirt inside out. Then, fold and iron the top edge of the skirt to create a crisp edge for your waistband. The number of folds you make will depend on the desired thickness of your waistband. For a thinner waistband, you can fold the top edge of the fabric once by about 1 inch and iron it in place. For a thicker waistband, you can make two folds: first, fold the top edge of the fabric by about half an inch and iron it in place, then fold it again at the 1-inch mark and iron again. With the second fold, you'll have three layers of fabric at the top of your waistband.
Once you've created your desired waistband thickness, it's time to sew. Sew along the bottom edge of the waistband, through all layers of fabric. Be sure to leave a small gap at the back of the skirt, about 1 to 2 inches wide. This gap will be used to thread the elastic through.
Now, cut your elastic to your desired length. You can do this by wrapping the elastic around your waist to get the correct measurement. It should be smaller than your waist so that it stretches comfortably but not so small that it feels tight. Once you've cut your elastic to size, it's time to thread it through the waistband. Attach a safety pin to one end of the elastic and use it to guide the elastic through the gap you left in the waistband.
After your elastic is threaded through, it's time to sew it in place. Make sure the elastic hasn't twisted inside the waistband, then sew the two ends of the elastic together using a zigzag stitch or a straight stitch. With the elastic securely joined, push it fully into the waistband and sew the gap shut.
And that's it! You've successfully sewn a waistband and inserted elastic to turn your wedding dress into a skirt.
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Thread the elastic through the waistband and adjust for a perfect fit
Threading the elastic through the waistband is a crucial step in turning a wedding dress into a skirt. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide to help you achieve a perfect fit:
Prepare the Elastic
First, cut a piece of elastic that matches your desired waist size. If you are using 1" elastic, leave about 3" of fabric above the existing waistline. For larger or smaller elastic, adjust the fabric allowance accordingly. The elastic should be slightly smaller than your waist measurement to ensure a snug fit.
Create the Elastic Casing
Before threading the elastic, you need to create a casing or tunnel for it to pass through. Fold over and press or iron about 1/4" of the raw edge at the waistline. Then, fold it again by about 1" or 1.5", depending on your preference and fabric type, to form the waistband. Stitch along the bottom edge of the waistband, leaving a small gap of about 1" to 2" at the back of the skirt. This gap will be used to insert the elastic.
Thread the Elastic
Attach a safety pin to one end of the elastic and carefully thread it through the casing. Ensure the elastic does not twist as you guide it through the tunnel. Once the elastic is fully threaded, try on the skirt to adjust the waistband for a perfect fit.
Secure the Elastic
Mark the point where the elastic overlaps, ensuring it is not twisted. Remove the skirt and sew the elastic ends together with a zig-zag stitch or a straight stitch. You can also experiment with other stitches to achieve the desired stretch and comfort. Push the joined ends of the elastic into the waistband, and sew the opening shut.
Finishing Touches
Consider adding topstitching around the upper edge of the waistband for extra structure and a neat finish. You can also add a small piece of grosgrain ribbon inside the casing at the back of the skirt to form a tag. This will help you identify the back of the skirt easily.
By carefully following these steps, you can create a comfortable and well-fitted waistband, transforming your wedding dress into a stylish and versatile skirt.
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Frequently asked questions
First, put on the dress and mark where you want the waist to sit with a pin. Then, take off the dress and lay it flat on a table. Measure and cut off about 3 inches of fabric above the pin.
Serge or zig-zag stitch the cut edge of your skirt to avoid fraying. Fold the edge down about 1.5 inches all the way around and stitch your elastic casing about 1 inch down from the folded edge, leaving a small gap to feed the elastic through.
Put the elastic around your waist to get the correct measurement. Cut the elastic to your desired length, then thread one end through the gap, all the way around, until it forms a full circle. Sew the elastic together with a zig-zag stitch and push it into the waistband. Sew the gap shut.
Iron the waistband to create a crisp edge. Sew along the bottom edge of the waistband, leaving a small gap at the back to thread the elastic through. Cut the elastic to length and thread it through the waistband. Sew the ends of the elastic together and then sew the gap shut.
