Fashions by Lizzy — Shirt to Skirt Remake

Published by on

Lizzy (age 11) woke up this morning wanting to create. Her best friend received a sewing machine for her birthday and they’ve decided they’re going to be fashion designers.

I’m a beginner seamstress (I shouldn’t even use the word ‘I’ and ‘seamstress’ in the same sentence), so I was reluctant to let her play with my machine as I’m not really in a position to teach her anything. I reluctantly (because who am I to stand in the way of an artist?) told her she could find some old clothing and cut it up and use the fabric to make something.

Truthfully, I expected nothing but a messy dining room (that is where the sewing machine lives).

this shirt is now a ...

She chose the shirt she is wearing in the picture above. It was a smock style shirt with two front pockets. Sadly, I didn’t bother taking any photos of the process. I didn’t expect the wonderful outcome.

She cut the shirt straight across right under the arm holes, folded it over and sewed in a waist band. Then she salvaged a piece of elastic from an old pair of jeans, measured Georgia’s waist, put the elastic in, closed up the waist band and …

shirt to skirt remake

tada –> a super cute skirt that fits Georgia just right.

My only contribution was threading the sewing machine and then forcing her to iron the seam before she started sewing.

Obviously, I made no contribution to Georgia’s ensemble at all. She is totally responsible for the stripes/plaid/rubber boots combo. As long as there is pink, they match.

MK xo
If you’ve enjoyed this post, please subscribe to my feed.

Disclaimer: One shirt was cut and killed in the making of this post (and skirt).


25 Comments

Naomi · July 26, 2010 at 2:15 pm

I love it! She is poised to be supercrafty, like her mama!

    MommyKnows · July 26, 2010 at 2:52 pm

    @Naomi, You are too kind! Funnily enough, until this blog I’ve never thought of myself as crafty at all. Well maybe in the sneaky way.

Antof9 · July 26, 2010 at 2:19 pm

I’m seriously blown away by the brilliance of this project! Genius. And the model looks fab in it. It’s a wonderful ensemble — stripes, plaid, and all. The wellies tie it all together :)

    MommyKnows · July 26, 2010 at 2:55 pm

    @Antof9, Thanks Ant! I was really impressed as well. She did a great job. Georgia loves the skirt. FREE clothes, I like that.

Pauline · July 26, 2010 at 2:33 pm

Fabulous! So well done Lizzie.
I think the outfit is superb! Georgia doesn’t look too happy though; why?

    MommyKnows · July 26, 2010 at 2:57 pm

    @Pauline, Thanks Paul. The outfit is very Georgia. I’ve learned to pick my battles.

    I must have just caught her in the wrong second. She was actually quite cooperative and loving her skirt.

Susan Knight · July 26, 2010 at 2:35 pm

Fun Fun Fun!! I am pretty darn impressed!I can barely draw a straight line with a ruler never mind visualize a shirt as a skirt!

Ashley · July 26, 2010 at 4:18 pm

Great job! She’s officially trumped anything I could sew, I have a lead foot and can’t seem to manage to slow down enough to sew a straight seam. So if I can’t glue it, pin it or staple it I leave it to my mother :)

I had to laugh at Georgia’s face, she looks “impressed” with the experience!

debbie · July 27, 2010 at 6:42 am

How fun! And good for you for letting her try (and mess up a little) on her way to success.

Jeremy · July 27, 2010 at 7:28 am

Lizzy is such wonder child and a budding fashionista…my 12-year daughter also loves to sew dresses for her doll. We also get surprised for what our kids wonderfully crafted..:)

Maya · July 27, 2010 at 12:58 pm

Looks like you’ve got a designer on your hands. Sounds like a fun day. I don’t even think I can do this, and I’m much older. Impressive that you let her try. Such a scary thought! :P Wonderful outcome though. Very nice.

TessaM · July 27, 2010 at 10:22 pm

I am blown away that she was able to think of that at her age, much less execute it. I see a definite career in fashion design for her! I couldn’t figure that out now if I was brainstorming ways to clothe myself or go fashion-less! And the ensemble is truly cute! I have a grand daughter that went through the “anything pink” phase. Now she has moved on to purple!

Janice (5 Minutes for Mom) · July 27, 2010 at 11:18 pm

GREAT job!!! That is fantastic. :) Way to go Mom for letting her do it. :)

Sean · July 29, 2010 at 10:48 pm

i’ve got nothing to say but this kid is awesome!at her tender age she knows how to recycle and she’s really creative!greatwork girl!

    MommyKnows · July 30, 2010 at 8:48 pm

    @Sean, Thanks Sean. I think she’s awesome, but I am partial :)

Michael · August 19, 2010 at 1:02 pm

Wow, she is really talented, and hopefully when she becomes a teenager you can just have her shop at a thrift store to make her own clothes instead of fancy department stores.

Jennifer · August 23, 2010 at 10:54 pm

I think the kid is really gifted. I love her work. And we all know that recycling is good .I am impressed.

mommyknows · July 26, 2010 at 9:13 pm

My 11yo turned her old shirt into a great skirt for her baby sister. What do you think? Shirt to Skirt Remake http://bit.ly/9awSQE

Antof9 · July 26, 2010 at 9:15 pm

I think I can't do that at 43. MT @mommyknows: 11yo turned her old shirt into skirt for baby sis. What do u think? http://bit.ly/9awSQE

Leave a Reply to debbieCancel reply