How to Make a Flouncy T-Shirt From a Maxi Skirt

I bought a striped maxi skirt at the thrift store with grand plans of remaking it into a spring tank dress. How cute would that have been? Unfortunately, the knit fabric was so thin you could see the color of my bra through it. Doh! I had to figure out a way to strategically layer the fabric and obscure my private parts.

I found the solution in this Calvin Klein flounce blouse. The flouncy collar would hide my bra and add a feminine flourish. I wasn’t fond of the round neckline, so I made mine v-neck instead.

In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to transform a maxi skirt into a flouncy t-shirt in less than 2 hours. Here’s an overview:

Step 1: Make the bodice using an old t-shirt as a pattern

Step 2: Make the flounce

Step 3: Attach the flounce

Step 4: Finish the waist and armholes

Step 1: Make the bodice using an old t-shirt as a pattern

Cut off the fold over waist (save this for later) and cut along the side seams to make two panels of fabric. For the pattern, use an old t-shirt by folding it in half and laying it on top of a folded skirt panel. Tuck the t-shirt sleeve behind the bodice to expose the armpit seam. Cut around the t-shirt with a 3/8″ seam allowance.

Repeat for the front of the shirt and add a v-neck With right sides together, sew the shoulder and side seams.

Step 2: Make the flounce

With right sides together, sew the leftover fabric to make a large rectangle, and then cut a 38″ wide circle. Cut out the neckline using the bodice neckline as a pattern.

Step 3: Attach the flounce

Pin the right side of the flounce to the wrong side of the bodice at the neckline. Sew the neckline and flip the flounce to the front.

Step 4: Finish the waist and armholes

From the fold over waist fabric, cut an 8″ strip of fabric 1″ shorter than the opening of the waist (my waist measured 27″, so I cut mine 26″ long). Sew the ends closed.

Fold the strip of fabric lengthwise with wrong sides together. Sew the waist to the bottom of the shirt with right sides together. Repeat for the armholes, but make the bands 2″ wide.

Most of my t-shirts are boring basics with no flair, so this is a lovely addition to my wardrobe.

I didn’t bother finishing the edge of the flounce because knit fabrics don’t unravel. If you’re a regular reader of my blog, you know I’m a lazy sewer and always look for shortcuts.

I think the back view is prettier than the front because there’s more flounce. If I had more fabric, I would make the flounce a smidge longer.

My only regret was forgetting to sew in clear, elastic tape at the neckline, which prevents the seam from stretching. I’m worried the neckline won’t hold its shape without the tape. We’ll see what happens after a few runs through the washing machine.

I made this shirt on my serger, but you can sew t-shirt knits on a sewing machine. Here are my favorite tutorials on how to sew t-shirt knits:

Sewing Knits Without a Serger

How to Confidently Sew Knits Fabrics on Your Home Machine

This t-shirt was so much fun to make. The pretty flounce does a great job covering my boobs. Now I can confidently wear this t-shirt without exposing the color of my bra!

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How to Make a Flouncy T-Shirt From a Maxi Skirt

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