Tuesday, April 26, 2011

DIY A Maxi Dress into A Maxi Skirt



DIY Maxi Skirt from Maxi Dress skirt+dress


. . . how I wore it

multi-color ikat maxi dress+denim jacket -1  


. . . it's a cute dress BUT . . .

1. It's too short. I can only wear it with flats. 2. The top doesn't stay up.


I altered this caftan/maxi dress below because it was too short as well {flats only} and makes for a much better skirt than dress. However, this one had an elastic empire-ish waistband so I just snipped off the top section and called it a day. Easy!


caftan+palm tree+pool+turquoise necklace+squash blossom necklace+warm black and white with brown accessories + diy maxi skirt & tassel earrings



steps
DIY Maxi Skirt from a Maxi Dress 1

* Cut off the top {if there is an elastic waist band, carefully cut right above it and you're done ...unless you'd like to hem it under to finish it.


DIY Maxi Skirt from a Maxi Dress 2

* Fold under the top of your "skirt" creating a channel large enough for whatever "string" you'll be using to cinch it. You may also use elastic if you'd prefer ...and pin in place. If you'd like to get pro about it, you can do a proper hem, but since this is a stretch jersey, and no one is going to be examining mine, I'm leaving mine with raw edges.


DIY Maxi Dress to a Maxi Skirt 3 DIY Maxi Dress to a Maxi Skirt 4

* If I had a Serger, I'd use that but since I don't, I just hand-stitched {a very messy, I may add} loose, base-stitch all the way around ...and then around again to secure it. Keep the stitches nice and loose so as to not break the thread when pulling your skirt on and off.


DIY Maxi Dress to a Maxi Skirt 5 DIY Maxi Dress to a Maxi Skirt 6

* Find the center of your skirt and snip a little slit in the front. Again, since my skirt is jersey, I'm not worried about finishing this up nicely ...it will stay in tact. Safety pin the end of your rope or ribbon and slide it through.


Maegans-DIYs-voila ...you have a skirt

DIY Maxi Skirt from Maxi Dress


DIYing an old maxi dress into a maxi skirt gives life to an old dress you may never wear again ...and it's really simple given it's already in the shape of a skirt. You may want to keep this in mind while vintage shopping as well ...if a dress is too small on top but has a great lower half, it could be your new favorite skirt!

Have Fun!


See how I wore it HERE


LeRoy sleeping on my fabric

* This Little was No Help At All! *






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28 comments:

Estefania Lovelifefashion said...

I love the pattern :) Waiting to see your outfit with your "new" maxi skirt ;)
kisses Maegan :)

Shanika@LifeisPichey said...

This gave me an idea for an old dress I have. Thanks! *goes to get scissors and dress*

Anonymous said...

Por qué no usas la maquina de coser?

Lili said...

Thanks for this little DIY :-) I would have done it exactly the same way... The seam I mean ^^ I don't own any kind of sewing machine and all I ever do is done by hand... and looks exactly the same way. But it stays put, and that's all I want from it :-)

Relatable Style

Lindsey Regan Thorne @ be pretty said...

Oh thank you for posting this I LOVE MAXIS {actually just did a post on one today}... I have so many maxi's that I've "worn out"... literally washed too many times and now they are too short and I'm loving long flowy skirts! Can't wait to see the pic's of you in it! ps... I adore your pup! pss... I'm the chic that commented on your FB yesterday about the Macarons... and can I tell you how much I appreciate you not blogging, photographing, talking about a friggin macaron!! XO

Prissy said...

Such a wonderful DIY, or MIY in your case! LOL. I may just give this a try one day. I'll let you know if I do

Prissy
www.rushourfashion.com

Loca por tu Ropa said...

It´s a great idea!! I´ll do it!! ;)
Kisses from Madrid,
Sandra.

modanista junkie said...

I did the exact same thing with my maxi dress!!! It's was a good decision!!!! And you can use the top portion as a bathing suit top!

Awe how cute is the little guy!!!

xoxo,
melrod

anhesty said...

great and simple diy!

Kalika Brooke said...

Amazing idea!! I see cute maxi dresses all the time with those little boob cups, and they never fit! Also, i like the Dwight fact pin, that show is amazing:)

Jaclyn T said...

I love your MIYs! I have given your blog a "Sunshine Award." http://positiveponderings.blogspot.com/2011/04/awarded.html

pink.deco said...

You are sooo adorable & so are your pooch!!
I love your blog
Cheer's xx
http://sonia-daigle.blogspot.com/2011/04/favorites-leopard-printpart-2.html

CessOviedo said...

Now I'm regretting tossing some maxis from last year that had a weird lenght! darn you just came up with the greatest way to re-use them!
Love the print on this one!

Cess O. <3
The Outfit Diaries

nancy @ {COZAMIA} said...

Sucha great fix, you make it look so easy! Also love the pooch, what cutie. I am soooo enjoying your blog!

Phuong said...

nice diy

Travel In Style; GIVEAWAY win Elizabeth Hurley Swimwear

Craftmaker said...

Great idea! I'll search in my mom's old clothes for a maxi dress I can alter.
Thanks for sharing! I'll be waiting for the photos tomorrow :)

Ivana said...

Genius!!! I have a similar dress that I never put on, and now I know what I´ll do with it! Thanks for the inspiration ;)
LOVE your blog, and am your newest follower!

xx Ivana

http://styleinthecityen.blogspot.com

drollgirl said...

this little was no help at all?!?!? LHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAH he is so cute! and so is this diy!

Corie said...

Love this DIY but I can't stitch or sew...I'll stick to the jewelry DIYs instead.

itsmytaste.blogspot

RenvieanneMO said...

i think this is awesome <3

xoxo
www.renvieannemo.com

Daria B. said...

Love this idea!!

www.stylestudios.blogspot.com

gigiofca said...

Very cool!!

dana said...

I forgot to check your blog today and just googled "how to turn a maxi dress into a skirt"...haha! I guess I should've just checked your blog :)

Tamra of walkswithBella said...

wonderful idea!! I have a couple of maxi's that need a little revamping. i.e. too many pics in them. nice share!! Newest follower!

best, tamra

OnTheRacks said...

So creative!! Love the print of this piece -- looks great as a dress, can't wait to see how you rock it as a skirt.

xx Laura

Samera said...

OMG! I LOVE YOU u saved me loool i have been looking for a blog like this for weeks i have a maxi dress and its gne short and i had no idea how to turn it into a skirt then i found you :D

Anna said...

I did the reverse on one of my dresses that's too small for me now. Kept the top instead. :)

Nalini said...

thank you for this!!!