My Sister's Suitcase - Packed with Creativity

Packed with Creativity

  • Home
  • About Us
    • Terms
    • The Sisters
    • Contact
    • Advertising
  • Project Index
    • All Projects
    • DIY
    • Printables
    • Project Life
    • $5 Friday
    • Holiday
    • Parties
    • Gift Ideas
  • Holidays
    • All Holidays
    • New Years
    • Valentines Day
    • St. Patrick’s Day
    • Spring
    • Easter
    • Mother’s Day
    • Father’s Day
    • 4th of July
    • Halloween
    • Fall
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
  • Printables
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • Google
  • Twitter

$5 Friday : Toddler Maxi Skirt (from tank top) Tutorial

July 26, 2013 30 Comments Holly & Nat

It’s been way too long since we’ve done a $5 Friday post around here. So get ready. This one’s pretty fun. This could technically be $4 Friday because that’s all I spent on this darling toddler maxi skirt for my 4-year-old daughter! Yup, $3.88 tank tops from Wal-Mart, magically transformed into new skirts. Here we go.

I saw these “long and lean” tanks advertised before I even saw them in store, and the idea struck. At only $3.88 and with so many fun colors and patterns, I grabbed some and couldn’t wait to start sewing! (Which is rare for me…)

Before I share the tutorial, you should note that my daughter currently wears a size 6. She is tall like her mama and daddy and so these measurements will have to be adjusted accordingly! The tanks I used are size XXL (junior sizes) so size down according to the size of skirt you need. Or just get the biggest size you can find so you have plenty to work with.

Keep reading for the full tutorial!

Before starting, make sure to wash and dry your shirts so you won’t have any shrinkage later.

1 • Using a rotary cutter, trim off the top straps, leaving as much fabric as possible.

2 • Trim one of the side seams of the tank to make it straight.

3 • Hold up fabric and wrap around child at the waist (skirt height) to measure. This doesn’t have to be perfect, but remember knit will stretch so go in a little more than you would think.

4 • Starting with where you marked to fit your child’s waist, cut to the bottom hem of the tank – on a slight diagonal. You could do the same on the other side, but I left the original seam and it was fine. Save those side pieces to use for the waistband.

I would suggest waiting to take any off the length (if need be) until after you sew the side seam. Then take it off the top so you can use the original hem on the bottom.

4 • (Yup, there are 2 step 4s. It’s reeeeally late as I write this!)  Pin and sew the side seam you just cut – with right sides together. I used a straight stitch, and changed the needle to the one recommended for knit by my machine manual.

5 • Next I tried the skirt (or big tube for now) on my daughter and checked the waist. It needed to come in a little bit more…

6 • So I took it in as pictured and trimmed the excess knit.

To make the waistband:

• Use rotary cutter to even your pieces that were trimmed.

• Sew (right sides together) one of the short ends. Measure around child’s waist and trim excess – you want this to be snug, don’t worry too much about seam allowance because it will stretch. Sew the other short side together so you have one long thin band.

• Fold in half to make waistband and press.

Now turn your dress piece inside out, so right sides are touching. Pin the waistband inside the dress at the waist (upside down so all raw edges are touching – you will be sewing through 3 layers now.) Match up and pin the side seams and centers. Sew and turn right side out.

Guess what? My waistband looks not so beautiful. Ask me if I’m worried about it! Nope. All that matters is that it fits, and won’t fall down. It will be covered by a shirt anyway! You can also do a yoga-foldover waistband, I just didn’t have enough fabric.

Oh yes, we made a fabulous Zebra print skirt, too. I can’t decide which I like better!

I think it’s safe to say my Bella likes her new skirts! I love that they are comfortable to move and play in and easy to wash. Now I just have to limit myself on how many I make – they’re so easy it’s kind of addicting! Of course, you don’t have to go out and buy new shirts – you could use an old, soft T-shirt. How great would these be for inexpensive yet thoughtful gifts?

On that happy, frolicking note, I hope you have a fantastic and relaxing weekend! See you soon!
signature-nat

{We love linking up HERE!}
Share this:

Filed Under: $5 Friday, DIY, DIY Fashion, Kids, Popular, Sewing, Upcycle Tagged With: diy, maxi skirt from tank top, toddler maxi skirt, tutorial

About Holly & Nat

2 Sisters. 2 States. Sharing our latest creations keeps us close. We are moms, wives, daughters, friends, creative souls, singers, living room dancers, Jimmy Fallon fans, & consumers of dirty Dr. Pepper.

« Tips for Throwing a Last-Minute Party #CleanHands #CGC
LeapPad Ultra : Pre-Order the Ultimate Kid-Friendly Tablet »

Comments

  1. Nat and Holly says

    July 26, 2013 at 2:29 pm

    My sis! This turned out awesome!! Bella looks adorable and I can’t believe it only cost $4 🙂

    Reply
    • Nat and Holly says

      July 26, 2013 at 8:07 pm

      Thanks, me sis!

      Reply
  2. Wendy says

    July 26, 2013 at 2:59 pm

    Um…I don’t sew…but, since it’s so addicting, I’m thinking you could make some for my girls. 😉

    Reply
    • Nat and Holly says

      July 26, 2013 at 8:04 pm

      Hah, neither do I, obviously! That’s why this is so fun – it’s SO easy. I’m tellin’ you. Straight lines only. 🙂

      Reply
    • Wendy says

      July 26, 2013 at 11:01 pm

      Maybe you could personally tutor me! 😉

      Reply
  3. Ashley Osborn says

    July 26, 2013 at 3:17 pm

    I love this! I am just beginning to sew but I think I could handle this project! 😉 Love your blog! Found you on pinterest!

    Reply
    • Nat and Holly says

      July 26, 2013 at 8:05 pm

      You totally can! And there are lots of tutes out there for adult maxis using regular knit fabric, too!

      Reply
  4. Whosies says

    July 26, 2013 at 4:08 pm

    what a great idea to use the tank tops. love that they are long enough that when they do a summer sault they don’t show off their panties.

    Reply
    • Nat and Holly says

      July 26, 2013 at 8:05 pm

      I hear ya there! I always have to put little shorts under for my daughter!

      Reply
  5. Kira says

    July 26, 2013 at 4:34 pm

    SOO cute! I love the black and white one especially. I’m gonna have to make one of these once I find my sewing machine again. 🙂

    Reply
    • Nat and Holly says

      July 26, 2013 at 8:06 pm

      Thanks, Kira! You could make a couple for her out of just one since she’s so tiny!

      Reply
  6. Kathy says

    July 26, 2013 at 5:57 pm

    So adorable! I love to see Mommy’s sewing again, it can save so much $$$$. Another idea from a friend is to go to DI (or clearance racks) and buy dresses, skirts etc and use the fabric to make projects – if you buy the XL sizes you get a lot. Bella looks darling as usual 🙂

    Reply
    • Nat and Holly says

      July 26, 2013 at 8:07 pm

      Thank you so much! That’s a great idea, I really need to stalk the DI more!

      Reply
  7. Patricia says

    July 26, 2013 at 11:45 pm

    You could make a matching headband with leftover fabric!

    Reply
  8. Capturing Joy with Kristen Duke Photography says

    July 27, 2013 at 5:01 am

    so stinkin cute!!!

    Reply
  9. Randi SowderingAbout says

    July 30, 2013 at 5:18 am

    I love this and have already asked my grandma to help me sew them all. And Lucy needs them all!

    I would love if i you linked this up to our weekly link up party!
    http://www.sowderingabout.com/2013/07/on-display-monday-12.html

    Reply
  10. Camille says

    July 31, 2013 at 9:01 pm

    You guys are so creative! xoxoxo!

    Reply
  11. Kara Fulmer says

    August 4, 2013 at 7:46 pm

    thanks for the awesome idea. I just made one, I put elastic in the waistband. maybe she can use it longer?

    Reply
  12. Katie says

    August 7, 2013 at 1:08 am

    This is so cute and what a fun way to make affordable maxi skirts! I am featuring this project tomorrow on Sew Woodsy!

    Reply
  13. Megan says

    August 7, 2013 at 2:21 pm

    Love this! So simple and So cheap!

    Reply
  14. harshal thomas says

    September 9, 2013 at 12:55 pm

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    Reply
  15. Stefanie says

    December 20, 2013 at 4:42 pm

    I’m making 4 today for my daughter for Christmas! I spent a total of $2.75!!! This will allow more budget money to spend on new shirts to match! I’m so excited!

    Reply
  16. Kaylea May says

    June 16, 2014 at 8:06 pm

    Does anyone know where I can find this tank top or something like it? They do not have them at Wal-Mart anymore 🙁

    Reply
    • Holly & Nat says

      June 17, 2014 at 3:23 am

      I have seen similar tanks at Target too… This is the time of year to find them! They should have them at almost any store you can get kids clothing. Hope you find some!

      Reply
  17. Audrey says

    June 24, 2014 at 3:02 pm

    We do so love a toddler maxi! So much so that we included it in our round up of things to sew with knit fabric: http://skirtfixation.com/2014/06/20-things-sew-knit-fabric/

    Reply
  18. Judy says

    August 15, 2014 at 7:27 pm

    I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was great.

    I don’t know who you are but definitely you’re
    going to a famous blogger if you aren’t already
    😉 Cheers!

    Reply
  19. Grandma Carla says

    April 10, 2015 at 2:07 am

    Wow thanks for the super idea!! My five under five granddaughters look adorable in these!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 20 Things to Sew With Knit Fabric - Skirt Fixation says:
    June 24, 2014 at 10:08 am

    […] from My Sister’s Suitcase, made an adorable maxi skirt for her toddler.  She started with knit fabric that was formerly a […]

    Reply
  2. Top Posts & Favorite Projects of 2013 says:
    January 15, 2015 at 4:23 pm

    […] Thanksgiving Placemat Toddler Maxi Skirt Nautical Baby Shower Ideas and Printables LaLaLoopsy Birthday Party Ideas Favorite Things […]

    Reply
  3. Jersey Boys Soundtrack Credits Blog says:
    June 5, 2016 at 4:56 am

    A Tank Top To A Holiday Party We

    […] used are size XXL (junior sizes) so size down according to the size of skirt you […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

photo
2 Sisters. 2 States. Sharing our latest creations keeps us close. We are moms, wives, daughters, friends, creative souls, singers, living room dancers, Jimmy Fallon fans, & consumers of dirty Dr. Pepper. Read More

Looking For Something?

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Holiday

DIY halloween cake

See More >>>

DIY

Make a Yarn Tassel Bedskirt

See More >>>

Return to top of page

Copyright © 2021 · Genesis Framework · Design by Key Lime Digital Designs · WordPress · Log in · Privacy