How to Make a Stunning Paper Bag Skirt From a Men’s Shirt

4 Materials

1 Hour

Easy

I absolutely love the look of a paper bag skirt! I knew I wanted one for myself so I decided to make one at home! I didn’t need anything except a classic men’s shirt and I was ready to get started on creating this fashion statement piece. If you want to learn all the tips and tricks to making this amazing skirt then this tutorial is for you! Follow my easy, step-by-step guide and get started on making this unique paper bag skirt!

Tools and Materials:

Sewing machine
Scissors
Shirt
Elastic

Paper bag skirt pattern

Cut the shirt

To get started on my gorgeous, new paper bag skirt, I marked a line on the shirt under the sleeves. I cut along the marking, making sure to save the sleeves to use for the belt later.

Cut the sides

Next, I cut the sides of the shirt open. I placed the two pieces together and cut around the edges so that they would be equal. I then sewed both sides back together.

Fold the fabric

Create paper bag effect

I opened up the buttons of my awesome new skirt and made sure to remove the top buttons. I then folded about 6 cm from the top of the skirt. To hold the fold in place, I pressed the fabric down with my iron.

Measure from the fold

Next, I marked a line a cm and a half from the top of the fold and sewed along the marking with a straight stitch. This would help create a gorgeous paper bag effect.

Hem the fold

I hemmed the other edge of the fold, pressed it to hold the fabric down, and sewed it closed.

DIY paper bag skirt

Add belt loops

In the next step, I got started on making my belt loop. I used the collar to make this piece as the fabric was already a little bit more firm. I marked on the skirt where exactly I would be placing the belt loops.

Sew on belt loops

I cut the collar into four equal pieces and placed the belt loops on my markings. I then sewed down both edges of all the pieces and pressed them down to give the loops a gorgeous finish.

How to make a paper bag skirt

Thread the elastic

With my loops sewed, I was ready to thread through my elastic. I placed a clothing pin on the end of the elastic and threaded it through the skirt. I then sewed both ends of the elastic together and closed the gap so that my skirt would be flawless.

Cut the sleeves

Make the belt

In the next step, I made my belt. I started by cutting the cuffs off the sleeves and cutting the sleeves open. I made sure to press the fabric! I measured the length of my belt loops and doubled the measurement for my belt. I sewed the two pieces of the sleeves together to create my belt.

Sew the belt closed

I then folded the belt fabric in half and pinned it in place. I wanted to make sure the belt was perfect because it’s such a stunning detail on this skirt. I sewed the edge of the belt closed and then turned it right side out.

Fold the ends

In the final step, I folded both ends of the belt and sewed. I couldn’t wait to see the end result!

Easy paper bag skirt

I absolutely love this paper bag skirt! It is easy to make and can be styled in so many ways! What color shirt would you use to make this skirt? Let me know in the comments below!

Suggested materials:

Sewing machine
Scissors
Shirt

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Linda
on Nov 2, 2020

I will definitely be trying this. I feel confident I can follow your instructions. (I haven’t sewn in years). It looks so comfortable. I could have used a few during the heat wave we had this last summer. I will make mine longer so I can work outside in them. Thinking maybe after a couple I might attempt a dressier version. There are racks and racks of mens shirts at the second hand stores. I too am curious why it is called paper a bag skirt. Thank you for sharing this.

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K
on Dec 6, 2020

Great instructions and it looks adorable on you!!

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