How to recycle a denim skirt into a skirt for your doll

I made this really cute denim skirt from a skirt that my daughter outgrew but still loved. Actually, it started out as a hand-me-down, so it was well loved! I love working with used denim because it gives you a wonderful worn and faded look that you can't get working with new denim fabric! This skirt has it all... ruffles, tucking, iron-on studs and an embroidered hem! And it only required sewing one seam!

This is the original skirt I started with. I think that I will be able to get several projects out of this one skirt!

This skirt already has a great side zipper that I used for the finished doll skirt. I also used the original waistband that just happens to have a great little tuck on it!

This photo shows the bottom tucking details. I ended up not using the bottom of the skirt for this project, but I know that I will use this for some other fun project!

1) First, I put the skirt on the doll, and with the zipper on one side, I pinned where the new side seam will be. I also pinned 3/8" away from the first pin for the seam allowance. Most doll patterns use a 1/4" seam allowance, I like to use 3/8", because it allows me to make adjustments if needed, and it can always be trimmed back to 1/4" later if I want to.

2) Next, I cut straight down from the waistband at the outside pin. I cut the front and back pieces separately. Because I new that I wanted to save the bottom of the skirt for future projects, I cut down only 6 1/2". The skirt had an adjustable waistband, so when I cut the waistband I removed the adjustable elastic.

3) I measured 6 1/2" down from the top of the waistband all around and marked with pins.

4) I cut the bottom of the skirt off along the pinned line, and this is how it looked so far.

5) I added a decorative machine embroidery stitch to the bottom edge. I did this because I like to avoid hemming whenever possible, and the stitching will keep the fraying to a minimum.

A detailed view of the hem.

6) Pin the side seam.

7) I sewed the side seam with a 3/8" seam allowance. I tested the fit on the doll. And since it fit well, I trimmed the seam allowance to 1/4" and finished the seam with a stretch zig zag stitch.

8) The skirt could be finished at this point, but I decided to add a row of iron-on silver studs (which you can see in the first photo and below) along the ruffle edge. Other iron-on or sew-on details could be added for a fun look!

Thanks for visiting!

I hope I have given you lots of ideas for making your own doll's denim skirt!

Creatively Yours,

Donna


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