DIY a Fun Summer Dress From a Skirt

The Glam Reshop
by The Glam Reshop
3 Materials
$5
2 Hours
Easy

Everyone is upcycling these days and I was ready to jump on board! I remembered that I had a gorgeous skirt that was just too big for me sitting in my closet and I was looking to get creative. Rather than throw the skirt away, I knew I could salvage the fun, summery fabric and make something that I would actually wear. I refashioned the skirt into the most amazing summer dress and I am so happy with the results! Follow this tutorial and learn exactly how I took an old skirt and upcycled it to become a summer fashion essential!

Tools and Materials:

  • Skirt
  • Scissors
  • Sewing machine
Easy summer dress DIY
Deconstruct the skirt



I had this skirt that was just too big but I loved the color combination and pattern so I knew I didn’t want to throw it away. I decided to deconstruct it and see just how much fabric I had to work with so that I could refashion it into something amazing!

DIY summer dress pattern
Cut the skirt


I then cut the skirt into two pieces. The lower, circle part would become the skirt of my dress, and the top part I would use to make a tube top for my new summer dress. 

Take measurements
Make the top



To get started on the tube top, I measured around my chest putting the tape just under my arms. I then measured right over my bust and just underneath my bust. 

Separate the pieces


Next, I separated the top part of my skirt into two pieces, I cut them straight, and sewed them together on one side. 

Try on the top


I made the seam I sewed into the middle seam for the center of my bust. I then made sure that each side extending from the seam was equal and would fit comfortably over my bust. Once I was happy with the tube top, I sewed a back seam to close it. 

Sew together
Sew the pieces together



Time to move on to the skirt! The skirt already had a middle seam in it so I decided I would attach that to the center seam on the top. Just as I did before, I measured to make sure the pieces coming out of the seam were equal and then I sewed them at the back. I could now attach my skirt and top to get an amazing summer dress!

DIY summer dress ideas


Once I had finished sewing, I tried on the dress and noticed that the top was still just too big. I salvaged some elastic from the original skirt and I decided to add it to the back to give the tube top a better fit. I also wanted to add straps that I would make from the waistband of the old skirt. 

Add sleeves
Add sleeves and layering



I added my straps and another layer to the neckline of the dress because I just love a bit of glam when it comes to my clothes.

Simple summer dress DIY


This is the perfect summer dress! What other skirt upcycle ideas do you have? Let me know in the comments below!

Suggested materials:
  • Skirt
  • Scissors
  • Sewing machine

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Comments
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3 of 15 comments
  • Ramona Ramona on Oct 28, 2020

    OMG, the only thing cuter than that dress is the person wearing it. It looks so good on you!

  • SusieHmMkr SusieHmMkr on Feb 20, 2021

    What a cute summer dress!! I love the recycling from a skirt, too. Looks adorable on you! Keep up the good work☺️ (I really need to take sewing lessons from all the great ideas on Upstyle)

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