How to Make a No-Sew & No-Glue DIY Skirt and Tube Top Using T-Shirts

Tools and materials:

• 2 large t-shirts (or one)
• Scissors
• Measuring tape
• Pins
• Marker
• Ruler

How to make a tube top

1. Mark the t-shirt

Turn the shirt inside out and turn it upside down. Line the bottom hem up to where you want your tube top to sit and mark where you want it to end. If you’re ruching the top, make it a little lower. 

Lay your shirt flat and draw a straight line across your shirt at your marks. 

2. Cut the t-shirt

Cut along this line and cut a strip of fabric to use for later. Pull the strip, so it becomes a string and set it aside. 

3. Try on the tube top

Put on your tube top with the seams at the sides. Pull the fabric on one side and pin it down the sides to make it fit. Start from the top and place three pins facing downward. 

Tip: Do this part without a shirt underneath. 

4. Cut the excess

Lay your tube down flat and draw a line connecting your pins. Mine was straight, as shown. 

Remove the pins and line up the seams. Cut your tube about ½ inch to an inch outside the line. 

5. Create the ruching

Fold your fabric along the line and cut tiny, evenly-spaced holes along the fold through both layers of fabric. 

Unfold your fabric and make sure the holes went through both layers. 

Grab the strip of fabric you cut earlier and attach a safety pin to one end. Then, weave this strip in the top hole and the next hole down. Tie it in a knot to secure, trying not to cinch the fabric. Weave the long end in and out of the holes down the line. 

Now’s the time to decide if you want it ruched or not. If you don’t, then let the fabric lay flat.

If you do want it ruched, pull on your string until it’s scrunched up to your liking. Tie the fabric strip around the bottom and trim the end. 

Turn your DIY tube top right sides out, and you’re done! Pretty easy, right? Now, let’s make the DIY skirt.

How to make a DIY pencil skirt

1. Mark the t-shirt

Turn your shirt inside out and hold it upside down. Wrap it around yourself and mark how long you want the skirt to be. I made mine as long as possible. 

Lay your shirt down flat and use a ruler to measure and draw a straight line across the shirt at the marks you just made. 

2. Cut the t-shirt

Cut along this line and cut a strip of fabric from the top of the shirt to use for later. Ensure to stretch the strip. 

3. Try on the skirt

Put on your skirt and pull at one end of the fabric to make it fit. Place at least three pins along the side from the top down. 

Tip: I suggest doing this part in your underwear. 

4. Trim the excess

Lay your skirt down flat and draw a line connecting your pins. Then, remove your pins. 

Ensure that your hems are all lined up and cut ½ “ to an inch outside the line. 

5. Cut holes

Fold the fabric along the line. Cut tiny, evenly spaced holes along the line through both layers of fabric. Make these holes as small as possible. I made a few too wide, and they ended up showing on the finished seam. 

Trim the bottom to make it even. 

6. Weave through the holes

Grab your string from earlier and place a safety pin to one end. Weave your string through the top hole and out the next. 

Tie the end in a knot to secure, trying not to cinch the fabric. 

Weave the long end in and out of the holes the rest of the way down the line. 

Again, if you want it ruched, pull the string tightly. If you don’t, leave it flat. Tie the strip of fabric around itself at the bottom and cut off the excess. 

Turn the pencil skirt inside out and it’s complete!

Here’s the seam of the DIY pencil skirt looks like. It looks like a big zipper. 

No-sew DIY tube top and skirt tutorial

Thanks for joining me on this no-sew DIY tube top and skirt tutorial! I hope you are now inspired to do a different yet unique transformation to those oversized t-shirts you may have lying around. Will you give this DIY a try? Let me know in the comments below!