Thrift Flip Tutorial: Easy DIY Top and Shorts Set
About 4 years ago I got this dress in a thrift swap and it's been a wardrobe staple of mine ever since. Now I'm feeling it's time to change it.
It's a bit too long and looks frumpy without a belt, so it's an ideal choice to show you how I thrift flip clothes.
I'm not sure yet if I'm going to turn it into a top and skirt, or top and shorts - let's see!
Tools and materials:
- Loose-fitting, overlong dress
- Elastic for waistband
- Top and pants as templates
- Pins
- Scissors
- Sewing machine
1. Make the top
Either use a top you already have as a template for the length, or try the dress on and mark where you want it to finish with a pin.
Remember to add enough allowance for the hem.
Cut the dress to length. Turn up and sew a double hem at the bottom.
2. Cut out the shorts
Having looked at the remaining fabric, I decided to make a pair of funky matching shorts from it.
Measure the length you need from your waist to the bottom of the leg and add a couple of inches for the waistband and hems.
Cut across the chopped-off fabric at the length you calculated. Put the remnants aside.
Fold the fabric in half lengthways and cut along the fold to separate it into two pieces.
I chose to leave the existing side seams intact and cut through the embroidered section, so the pattern would be at the side seams.
3. Shape the legs
Sew the open edges closed with the right sides together, to make two tubes.
Turn one tube right side out.
Insert it inside the second tube, so the right sides are together.
Line up the seams.
4. Crotch seam
Use a loose fitting pair of shorts or lounge pants as a template.
Fold them in half lengthways and pull out the crotch section so it's at the front.
Line them up with the center front seam of your shorts and cut out the curve.
Re-fold the shorts so the cut out is in the center.
Sew the two legs together along the V shaped curve.
5. Fitting
Separate the two legs and try the shorts on.
Make any adjustments necessary.
In my case, the shorts were extremely tight so I used the fabric remnants to make panels that I inserted at the side seams.
6. Waistband and hems
Hem the raw edges of the legs.
Turn over the top edge of the shorts and make a casing for the elastic, leaving an opening.
Insert the elastic into the casing and sew the opening closed.
Thrift flipped top and shorts set
I’m so thrilled at how this thrift flip turned out! From a somewhat frumpy dress to the cutest top and shorts set that I can wear separately or together.
I'm sure somewhere in the back of your closet you have an awkward length dress that you don't wear but don't want to throw away. This would be the perfect thrift flipping project for it.
If you have enough fabric, you could add patch or side seam pockets to the shorts and they would be even more adorable.
Let me know how you get on - I'd love to see your results.
Next, check out my post on How to DIY a Cool Stevie Nicks-inspired White Lace Duster.
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