Give a Second Life to a Curtain by Turning It Into a Lined Elasticated Skirt – It's Super Easy!
This upcycling project is perfect for beginners and is also very quick.
Materials Needed:
A curtain
Fabric for the lining (light cotton, viscose, etc.)
Wide elastic (2.5 to 3 cm in height)
Matching thread
Measuring tape
Scissors
Pins or clips
Sewing machine
Safety pin
Taking Your Measurements:
Hip circumference: Measure your hip circumference at the widest point.
Calculating Fabric Width:
• Add 10 cm of ease to your hip measurement.
• Add 2 cm for the seams (1 cm on each side).
Example: If your hip measurement is 100 cm → 100 + 10 + 2 = 112 cm total width. You will then divide this width by 2 since we will fold the fabric in half, right sides together.
Skirt Length: Measure from the waist to your desired length, including the hem. In my case, I chose a total length of 96 cm (including the hem and elastic allowance).
Step 1:
Fold your fabric right sides together. In my example, the folded width of the fabric is 56 cm. The length is 96 cm.
Cut a rectangle of this width and length from both the curtain fabric and the lining. The length of the lining can be much shorter than the curtain fabric, as in my example.
Fold your curtain in half, right sides together, and sew 1 cm from the edge. Do the same with the lining. Press the seams open with an iron for a cleaner finish. This seam will go at the center back.
2. Assembling the Lining and Curtain:
Slide the lining onto the skirt, right sides together. Make sure to align the center back seam. Sew the lining to the skirt at the waist, 1 cm from the edge. Turn everything right side out and press. I added a topstitch at this seam, but this is optional.
Preparing the Elasticated Waistband
Cut the elastic: Measure around your waist with the elastic and choose the desired width (add 2 cm to this measurement).
Creating the Casing:
Fold the top of the skirt (fabric + lining) inward by a height slightly greater than the elastic (+0.5 cm). In my example, the elastic height was 2.5 cm, so I folded the fabric inward by 3 cm.
Sew 0.2 cm from the edge, leaving an opening of about 5 cm to insert the elastic.
Insert the elastic using a safety pin, making sure the elastic doesn’t twist.
Close the casing opening by sewing it.
Making the Hem
Curtain: Fold 1 cm, then 2 cm, and sew with a straight stitch. I chose not to make a hem. For the lining, I would choose to make a slightly shorter hem to prevent it from showing.
Your lined elasticated skirt is ready! A quick and clever project to upcycle a curtain into a unique and comfortable piece.
If you're looking for another quick project, the Barcelona dress is a very accessible pattern. A video tutorial has also been created to guide you through it.
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