Put your child’s fashion design skills to the test with a project perfect for celebrating Earth Day, or simply transforming an old wardrobe. This activity will give her the opportunity to recycle an oldT-shirt by transforming it into a cute skirt using simple sewing techniques. This is a great way for your little one to practise measuring, cutting and basic stitches.
What You Need:
❑ Cotton T-shirt (see below for measurements)
❑ Cotton T-shirt for the drawstring
❑ Tape measure
❑ Chalk
❑ Pins
❑ Sewing machine
❑ Safety pin
❑ Scissors
What You Do:
1. Have your child turn the shirt she’s using inside out.
2. Place the tape measure from the bottom edge of the shirt to one of the shoulders and mark a straight line using the chalk. Repeat on the other side.
3. Then, place the tape measure in a straight line across the chest area, below the collar and just above the pocket (or where the pocket would be, if it doesn’t have one). Make a straight line with the chalk.
4. Cut out all of the chalk lines and pin the sides together. The pins should allow for a 5/8″ side seam.
5. Have her start at the bottom edge of the skirt and sew up both sides of the skirt. Trim any seams, if necessary.
6. She can now fold over the top edges of the skirt to create a casing. The fold should be about 5/8 of an inch.
7. Now, she can sew the casing all the way around. Try not to stretch out the T-shirt material. You don’t want it to lose its shape.
8. For the drawstring, have her cut a 2″-wide strip of fabric from the 2nd T-shirt. Using the hem works well.
9. Have her stretch out the strip as much as she can.
10. Turn the skirt right side out.
11. Cut two small slits in the middle of the front casing, spaced about 1/2″ – 1″ apart.
12. Feed the string through one of the holes. You may want to use a safety pin.
13. Have her cut the string down to the appropriate size; she’ll need to make a bow and knot off the ends.
Helpful Tip:
Make sure your T-shirt is large enough to be a skirt. Measure around the widest part of your child’s hips; then divide that number in half and add one to two inches. Make sure the width of the chest of the shirt is wide enough before starting the project. If it’s not quite wide enough, she may need one of dad’s old T-shirts.
