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Misfit Outfit Turn a T-shirt and bits of fabric into a wearable-art ensemble. From "Uncommon Threads" episode DUCT-134

(Continued from page 1)

The Skirt

Josh Hiney continues with the outfit by showing how to construct the skirt. He uses knee socks, pieces of a sweatshirt and some cool fabric to make a fun and flirty skirt.

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Misfit Outfit: The Skirt

Materials:

at least 3 different fabric selections: one old sweatshirt (best to use an L or XL), one fabric pattern and two pairs of knee high socks (matching or different)
contrasting thread

Note: Save the bottom of the sweatshirt: it will be used as the band.

1. Pick out the fabrics desired to make the skirt (Josh Hiney used a combination of knee-high socks, sweatshirt pieces and cotton fabric). The key is having some fabrics that stretch and some that don't (figure A).

2. Measure your waist to estimate how many strips you'll need to cut.

3. Cut out strips to desired length and widths (can be various sizes). Make strips smaller for a small skirt and bigger for larger skirts; cut them shorter or longer depending on desired length of finished skirt.

4. Sew the pieces together one at a time so that the seam is on the outside (figure B). Instead of hiding the seam, this makes it part of the design. (Instead of putting the pieces right sides together, you will put them wrong sides together and then sew.)

Figure A

Figure B

5. Once all the pieces have been assembled, pick a desired band. You can use the band at the bottom of a sweatshirt or any kind of thick elastic that goes with the color scheme chosen.

6. If using the bottom band of the sweatshirt, cut it off so the edge of the band is open; this will allow the band to be separated and the skirt sandwiched between its layers (figure C).

7. Cut the top edge of the sewn-together strips so it's one straight edge; this will make it easier to sew on the elastic band.

8. Stretch the band around the waist of the person for whom the skirt is designed, making sure it's a tight fit. Cut off the excess so the finished band will be the perfect size.

9. Place one side of the sweatshirt band inside the skirt, the other on the outside. Secure about 2" at a time, stretching the band as you sew so it will fit around the entire skirt (figure D). Make sure the band fits exactly around the top of the skirt so there is no excess and no space left open.

Figure C

Figure D

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