I’m excited to share this dress to skirt refashion today. You know I don’t sew for myself that often, but this project was an easy FOR ME project and a useful one! I’ve already wore this several times and I love it!
Skirt to Dress Refashion – Simple Sewing tutorial
I forgot to take a photo of the dress before I turned it into a skirt, so last night I went hunting for a photo. I found one, two actually…. The funny thing? I have NO IDEA why I took this photo of myself. And there are two from this moment… I love looking at my boys {so small} and the craziness around me in this photo. {look at little Jack making a face in the front, and baby max reaching for the camera strap! love!} Maybe I was testing lighting? Give me your best guess as to why this photo was originally taken…
For the sake of the dress, it also shows it in full length.
The top of this dress was adorable… {photo from 2011}
But, it was a bit short, so I mostly wore it around the house or as a swim suit cover up. I got A LOT of wear out of it as a dress. It has super soft cotton and I love the print, so I was happy to refashion it. The finished skirt is knee length and can be worn with or without leggings.
This dress had an empire waist so I cut it apart there. Where you cut it will depend on how long you want your skirt. 
Cut a piece of 3 inch wide elastic. Measure your waist, and sew the elastic the correct size. Mark the band in four equal parts. Do the same for the skirt. Stretch the elastic to meet the four markers on the skirt and pin. I didn’t even finish the top of the skirt, just cut it with pinking shears.
Sew with the right side facing you, stretching the elastic as you go, around the bottom of the elastic. Easy and DONE!
Wasn’t that a simple project with great results? 
I wore this dress with the leggings when we took our trip to Abu Dhabi last month {that’s where these photos were taken} I’m sure I will wear it a lot here with no leggings. Follow me on Instagram to see our travel and life adventure photos!
Here are a couple other projects I’ve sewn for me. You can just click the photo to see these other projects. They were all make with free patterns.
What’s your favorite refashion ever?
Shannon Johnson says
How cute is that! You are so talented. I could never do anything like that…
Emily says
I bet you could!!!
Danita @O Taste And See says
Super cute! I wish I could sew. I end up having to toss those worn out things. Great post!
Emily says
I love sewing! So handy!
Christine @ idigpinterest.com says
So cute! What a great talent to have.
Emily says
aww thanks! I do love sewing!
Mel says
Very cute skirt and one super cute yummy Mummy. By the way, 2 of my boys are also called Jack and Max, great minds hey 🙂
Emily says
that is SO crazy that you have boys with the same names! Those names must go together because I know at least two other families that have used them both ;o)
Lucy says
This is adorable! It’s cute as a dress but it’s great as a skirt!! Pinning.
Emily says
thanks!
Jenya says
Nicely done Emily. The original dress was gorgeous, and now it gets a second chance as a skirt! I hope you will get a lot of wear out of it too 🙂
Emily says
thanks! I love cotton dresses! Hoping to wear the skirt a lot this summer!
Pam @Threading My Way says
Looks cute and super comfy, Emily!!!
Emily says
thanks! I need to get over and link it up to your party ;o)
Julie says
I love this transformation, it looks like one of those skirts you’ll just wear and wear.
Jennifer (aka Hint Mama) says
Very smart!
Emily says
Looks great! I’ve done this with a few dresses that were too short on me, I’m almost 6 feet tall, so it doesn’t take much for them to shrink up. I’ve used yoga waists usually.
Emily says
yoga waists are another great way to refashion dresses to skirts. I didn’t have the fabric for that with this dress, but i love the look!
shobelyn says
I am inviting you for the Cunning Ladies’ Link Party # 2. There were beautiful entries last week and today, I announced the top three most viewed post last week. Bring in your entries and enjoy! http://easytocookmeals.com/cunning-ladies-friday-party/
Lisa at Mabey She Made It says
What a cute and simple refashion. And can I just say I love elastic waisted skirts for comfort and ease? Thanks for linking up to the Do Tell Tuesday party!
Emily says
I know, love the elastic waist!
Pam @Threading My Way says
A great refashion, Emily and looks super comfy!
Emily says
thanks! It is and I am getting a lot of use out of it!
Maria says
That’s so cute, and it looks super comfy! I recognized the fabric, and realized it’s because I had the exact same dress and I have refashioned it too! Mine ended up as a tunic top with short sleeves.
Audrey says
Emily, you linked up! Yeah! I love this dress to skirt refashion. Thanks so much for linking up…we are honored! Be sure to come back Friday and vote in both the sew along and for your favorite contestant’s refashion!
Joy Candrian says
Cute skirt Emily!
Elizabeth says
Cute skirt! I love the elastic waistband – I made a circle skirt using that method once and it was so quick and easy!
Jessica says
What a great nap time remake! So quick and so cute. Great job. 🙂
Emily says
yes! Really was a one nap project!