Little Girl's Skirts From Men's Button Down Shirt

I've had one of my husband's work shirts (don't worry he doesn't work for that company anymore) in my laundry room for over a year with the purpose of making a clothing item for my oldest daughter. I've seen dresses and skirts made from men's button down shirts and I finally pulled it out and gave it a try! I was able to make one for each of my girls. I'm loving how they turned out! Just think of the possibilities and different colors and designs! I'm thinking I need go through our closet in hunt of more button downs to re purpose! Here's what I did.

Sorry about the photographs. I'm having problems with my dslr and using a point and shoot indoors at night is not producing the best quality of images!

This was a men's medium button down and I made a skirt for my 3 year old and 15 month old

For Deni's skirt I used the bottom half of the shirt.

• Cut just below the pocket from one armpit to the other.

• This shirt didn't have a straight edge on the bottom so I cut it straight across and hemmed it.
• For the top of the skirt you will need to create a "pocket" to insert the elastic for the waist band. I used 1 inch elastic for Deni's and 1/2 inch for Capri's skirt.
• Fold top over 1/4 inch and press. Then fold down again to create pocket for elastic and press and pin.
• Sew top and bottom hems. Don't you love that the sides are already done for you?!

• Sew along each side of the button strip (I don't know what to call this) This will make it all one piece and can no longer be unbuttoned.
• Insert elastic using a large safety pin and threading it through the entire waist pocket you made earlier. Make sure to pin elastic in place before you start sewing it together. You wouldn't want to unpick the seam two times at 1:30am. Not that I'm speaking from experience or anything.
• I added a big bow to Deni's using one of the sleeves.
• Cut the entire length of the sleeve (I used a wider piece for Deni's and a thinner strip for Capri's)
• Sew strip right sides facing together and making a tube
• Turn tube right sides out.
• Cut ends at an angle. Fold edges in and press. Sew a finishing edge.
• I chose to hand stitch the big bow on Deni's skirt.

Toddler skirt

Baby girl's skirt

• For this skirt I had to improvise. The shirt had a logo on it so I had to cut it out and therefore had side seams to sew and the seams are in different spots not the side. There is one about and inch away from the button strip in the front and one in the back. I chose to have the button strip off to the side instead of down the center.
• I also had to add the ruffle on the bottom to make it longer. To do this I cut 2 long strips (same width and as long as I could) out of one of the arms. Sew them together and then sew making a tube.
• Pin ruffle tube to bottom of skirt and sew gathering along the way.

2 adorable skirts for free!

What do you think? I'm loving them and can't wait for my girls to wear them! Here's where I link. Enjoy!