By Laura Gummerman
abeautifulmess.com
First, decide the skirt length you want, measuring from the point where the top and skirt will join. This helps you determine how long to cut the skirt piece. Depending on your fabric’s width, you may need to start the skirt lower if the material isn’t wide enough to achieve your desired hem length. Using fabric scissors or a rotary cutter with a cutting mat, cut across the shirt 1/2 inch below where the skirt will connect.
Now comes a bit of math to ensure the skirt’s waist opening matches the T-shirt hem. Take the shirt width measured in step one and double it to get the full circumference (remember, measuring a flat T-shirt gives you half the circle). Divide that number by 3.14 to find the diameter of a perfect circle. Cut a paper circle with that diameter—this will be your waist hole size. For example, if your shirt measures 20 inches across: 20 x 2 = 40, then 40 ÷ 3.14 ≈ 12.73 inches. Cut a paper circle as close to 12.73 inches as possible (rounding to 12.5 or 12 inches is fine—being slightly smaller is safer, as you can always enlarge it later).
Once you have your waist measurement and paper template, pin it in the center of your fabric’s largest section. Measure outward from the circle’s edge the skirt length you want, plus 1/2 inch for the seam allowance where top and skirt meet. You can either mark this distance from the circle edge every few inches, or add half the circle’s width to that number and measure from the circle’s center (which is easier). For an 18-inch skirt: 18 + 0.5 (seam allowance) + 6.36 (half the circle width from the example) = 24.86 inches. Mark 24.86 inches from the center of your paper circle to get an 18-inch skirt.
After marking the skirt edge all around, cut both the inner and outer circles. If your fabric has a pattern, note which side you want as the front so the design falls correctly. Also, remember that with a pattern that has a clear “up” and “down,” the back of the skirt will show the print upside down. For instance, a cat face may face correctly on the front but appear reversed or sideways elsewhere. Choose a geometric pattern if that bothers you.
Next, pin the skirt to the shirt. A trick for even pinning: fold your circle template into four equal quarters, place it back into the skirt hole (aligning one mark with the front), and insert four pins at each quarter. Find corresponding marks on the T-shirt by laying it flat and folding it in half (bringing sleeves together), then pin at each fold to divide the shirt into four equal sections. Pin the right sides of the skirt and shirt together, starting at the four quarter marks, then continue all around.
You can skip the quarter-marking step and just pin directly, but it helps avoid bunching and rework. Sew the skirt to the shirt with a 1/2-inch seam allowance, using a stitch suitable for T-shirt/jersey/knit fabrics (check your machine manual or manufacturer) so the seam stretches without breaking when putting on or removing the dress.
Press the seam flat with an iron at the appropriate temperature for your fabric (use a damp dish towel on top to protect printed designs if needed). Since jersey doesn’t require hemming, I left the raw edge, but you can fold and hem if you prefer. Jersey may lie flat or roll slightly when cut—either is fine. If you have a serger, you can serge the skirt and top together and finish the hem.
Isn’t the result adorable? I love the graphic saying on the Brunch Club tee paired with the simple patterned skirt. Adding a circle skirt makes twirling in this dress especially fun! This method also works well for kids’ dresses when a shirt becomes too short. Enjoy giving your tees a second life! xo. Laura
