Jun 11, 2012

Maxi Dress to Maxi Skirt Tutorial


Have you joined the maxi skirt craze?? Man-oh-man I have. I only have two skirts BUT I want more. I mean for sure. They are so cozy plus they are pretty stylish. They can be dressed up or dressed down. Luuuhvve them. I kind of want like 20.

Unfortunately, I don't have the wad of cash I would need to buy 20. Cry. I know...poor me. I will get over it.

Did you know that you can make your own if you have an already existing maxi dress? Well if you didn't know, now you know...AND knowing is half the battle...

The other half is just a smidge of work.

With just a little bit of cutting, measuring, and sewing back together, you can refashion an old blah dress into a delightful skirt.


I started with this dress circa 2009...aka my fat dress for after I had Little.


I decided how long I wanted it to be, then cut the bottom off. Saving enough of the top to make the waistband.



Then I cut off as much of the top as I could to make the waistband.


Then I measured around my waist where I wanted the skirt to hit. I like to wear my skirts low on my hips so that is where I measured. Since the dress is made of knit I subtracted a couple of inches and trimmed off the excess from one side.


Then I sewed the fabric together with a zig zag stitch because I am not cool enough to own a serger...eventually I will be cool.


Next I just folded down the waistband so it is in half, right side out. There will be a folded edge and a raw edge.


The width of my skirt was much bigger than I needed. So I trimmed the width of the skirt to be just about 2 inches wider than the waistband. I cut the excess off of one side.


Then I turned it wrong side out and zig-zaged up the side I had just cut.


To finish up, I turned the skirt right side out. Then I matched up the raw edges of the waistband up with the top edge of the skirt and pinned the waistband in place.


After I attached the waistband I just folded it up, hiding the seam on the inside of the skirt.

Done. One ugly maxi dress gone and one cute maxi skirt made.


Now I can strut my stuff and pretend I am stylish at least once a week...which, yes is how often I wear this skirt.


See what happens when I try to pretend I am all vogue and model-esq...

...my kid reminds me that I am his mom and I am on his turf...
Don't let me get in your way Little! Just trying to get my photo shoot on.

Good thing I have kids to help keep it real.

Hope you have joined the maxi skirt craze too and are joining me in all the stylish Summer fun.

12 comments:

Stockhoff Family said...

You look amazing, nothing like a Mom who just had her fourth baby! Seriously all vogue, I guess now I have no excuse when your sister ask me to make hers over. I so do not know where you came from?????????? Not sure blaming the mailman works. Love you.

Michelle@ Learning to Be a Mom said...

Very cute. I just wish I had a maxi dress to make over. Maybe I'll check the thrift store.

Alli @ Baker Mama Love said...

I'm with Michelle! Where do you find such a cute maxi dress to make over? I have a maternity one but I'm hoping to get some more use out of that!

Melle@featheredruffles.com said...

Lol! Dude. You're totally cracking me up with your "one day i'll be cool".

Until then you can sit with me at the uncool kids table. We'll wear our fancy un-serged skirts and all the cool kids will want to be us...

Child Family said...

You look so good after having a baby! What is your secret? serioulsy I need to know! I can't lose the last 10 pounds. You are so creative, love the skirt!

Larissa@Just Another Day in Paradise said...

Mel-Yay I have someone to sit with at the uncool kids table!

Child Family-You are so sweet! I am working out like a maniac.

Amanda said...

1. Get your model on hottie. 2. Don't think I didn't notice your measuring tape, stop working out. 3. Love you.

Child Family said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Larissa@Just Another Day in Paradise said...

Child Family-

I might know you! I can't tell from the picture and I can't find your name anywhere!

Give me more clues and I will know...hahaha.

Child Family said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Love the skirt! Can't wait for the tutorial for the pencil skirt. I guess I'll just have to dust off the sewing machine! Love your blog!

Larissa@Just Another Day in Paradise said...

Thanks Amy!

Look for the Pencil Skirt tutorial next week.

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