How to Make a Cute DIY Crop Top and Skirt Out of an Old Apron

DIY by Ruffa
by DIY by Ruffa
10 Materials
$7
3 Hours
Medium

In this tutorial, I'll show you how to make a DIY crop top and skirt from an old apron. This DIY matching crop top and skirt is inspired by Brandy Melville and I love how it came out.


This is to inspire everyone that we can still use and remake our old clothes by being creative and having fun. Let’s get straight to it!

Tools and materials:

  • Apron (or fabric)
  • Pins
  • Scissors
  • Sewing machine
  • Matching thread
  • Ruler
  • Measuring tape
  • Crop top as a guide
  • Ribbon
  • 1-inch elastic


DIY skirt

Pinning the new length of the skirt

1. Pin the new length

Wearing your old apron, see what length you’d like the skirt to be, fold the apron at the waist, and pin. 

Seam ripping the pockets

2. Seam rip the pockets

Using a seam ripper, take out the pockets.

Cutting off the bottom of the apron

3. Cut the bottom of the apron

Cut off the bottom part of the apron. My skirt was 20 inches long. 

Adding elastic to the waist of the skirt

4. Add elastic to the waist

Cut a 1-inch elastic that fits the size of your waist. Measure and mark 2 inches from the top and fold over the fabric to create a tunnel for the elastic. Mine was 29 inches. 

Pressing the fold for a clean finish

Press the fold for a clean finish. 

Folding the fabric over the elastic

Place the elastic in the fold and sew the top edge of the fabric and the elastic. Stretch the elastic as you sew to create a gathering effect. 

How to sew a crop top and skirt

Fold the bottom edge of the fabric under the elastic. Sew along the bottom edge, stretching the elastic for the same ruched effect. 

Sewn elastic waistband for the skirt

This is how the waistband should turn out. 

Pinning the skirt side seam ready to sew

5. Pin and sew the side seam

Fold one side of the skirt over by a few inches, and then fold the other side to meet the other folded end. 

Pinning the edges to make a slit

Pin both edges together around 13 inches downward. You should have a cute slit at the bottom. Sew the edges together. 

Sewing pleats in the skirt for a better fit

6. Sew pleats

Create pleats on either side of the skirt. Make sure to fit the skirt before (with the pleats pinned down). Mine measured 6.5 inches. 

Pinning pleats ready to sew

Add another two pleats at the front and back, each around 4 inches from the sides.

DIY skirt out of a apron

We're done with the skirt! Let’s move on to the crop top! 


DIY crop top

DIY crop top pattern

1. Make the pattern

Remove the upper straps from the apron. Take one of your crop tops, and use it as a guide to get measurements. 

Cutting off the top of the apron

Draw 11 inches (or more depending on your personal measurements) and remove the excess fabric on top. 

Measuring the bust for the crop top

Measure the bust part (mine was 17 inches) and mark either side.

How to make a crop top and skirt

Fold over the short ends and pin where the bust marks are drawn. 

DIY crop top and skirt set

Now, fold the crop top in half and mark the center on both sides of the fabric. 

Making a DIY matching crop top and skirt

Take a ruler and place it on the top center line you just marked. Then, mark the short end of one side at the bottom. 

Marking and measuring the DIY crop top

Then, repeat on the other short end. 

Cutting along the markings

Use the markings to cut along the lines. This is excess fabric.

Trying on the DIY crop top to check the fit

2. Check the fit

Wear the top and see if it fits. Mine was still pretty big, so I pinned the short ends at the back. 

Adjusting the neckline for the DIY crop top

Adjust the neckline where needed. 

Pinching darts under the bust area

Pinch the bottom parts right under your bust area to create pleats. Pin to secure. 

Hemming the crop top

3. Hem and sew the crop top

Press the top neckline fold and cut the curved edges fabric for a cleaner finish. Hem the edges of the whole crop top as well as the edges of the short ends (excluding the bottom edge)

How to sew a crop top

Fold the edges of the short ends, pin around 3 inches down and sew. 


Sew the seam down to one side.

Double-folding the bottom of the crop top

Double fold the bottom of the crop top, pin, and sew all around. 

Making straps for the DIY crop top

4. Make the straps

Cut four 15-inch strips from the remaining fabric. Fold the edges inward, and fold the whole strip in half. Sew to secure. 

Attaching the straps to the crop top

5. Attach the straps

Next, place the straps on both the front and back side of the crop top, making sure they are evenly spaced out on both sides, and each adjacent side’s placement is aligned. Sew each end to secure it. 

Adding buttons to the back

6. Make the lace-up back

Place two buttons on the back slit. Also, make two buttonholes on the other side. 

Making a lace-up back

Measure 3 inches from the center back, and make 3 markings, each spaced out by 1 inch. Repeat on the other side. 

How to make a crop top with a lace-up back

Take a thin strip of fabric and cut it into pieces. These will be looped and placed on each mark on either side of the crop top’s back. 

Hand-stitching the the loops

Hand-stitch each loop and sew it onto each respective mark. 

Feeding a ribbon through the loops

Feed a 53-inch ribbon through each loop in a criss-cross effect. 

DIY crop top with a lace-up back

Your crop top is done! 

DIY crop top and skirt


DIY crop top and skirt from the back


DIY crop top and skirt over a long-sleeve top

DIY crop top and skirt tutorial

I hope you found this tutorial on how to make a crop top and skirt useful! What do you think of this gorgeous DIY crop top and skirt? I love that this ensemble was actually made out of an apron.


I hope you found this tutorial on how to make a crop top and skirt useful! Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

Suggested materials:
  • Apron (or fabric)
  • Pins
  • Scissors
See all materials

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