Upcycled Maxi Skirt

Project

Upcycle/transform an old garment into something new in honor of Fashion Revolution Day (April 24th).

Fashion Revolution Day

April 24th is a day that honors the lives lost and deeply effected by the collapse of the Rana Plaza factory. This day is also used to bring attention to the dangers of the fashion industry and its impact on social and environmental issues. The Fashion Revolution Movement encourages people to acknowledge who made your clothes, shop more sustainably, and decrease your contribution to clothing waste. One way to support this movement is to upcycle/transform old garments into something new, instead of simply throwing them away.

The Garment

To begin this process, I went through all of the clothing I have and picked out pieces that I had never worn or barely did. I had bought this maxi skirt with the intention of using it as a Halloween costume but never went through with it. Instead of the skirt sitting in my dresser, I decided that this was the perfect garment to transform. With the color also in mind, I wanted to use this to symbolize water and bring attention to the excessive water usage of the fashion and textile industry. My decision to make a two-piece set came from me simply wanting one for myself and also the warm weather that was approaching. This is also a super easy process for individuals who may not have a ton of sewing skills/knowledge.

From a Maxi Skirt to a Two-Piece Set

The Transformation Process

Making the Top Pt. 1

I began by measuring how long I wanted the top to be and cut that piece out, leaving seam allowance to make a bottom hem.

Making the Top Pt. 2

To create a more fitted feel, I took in the sides of the top, using pins to mark where to sew.

Making the Skirt Pt. 1

Moving on to the skirt, I measured the desired length of the skirt, starting at the bottom to keep that hem in tact, then cut leaving seam allowance to make a top hem for the waist.