ReFashion - Skirt to Bag!
9:56 PM
Happy New Year !!!!
To start 2017 off right I created a new bag for myself from a skirt! When I saw this Anthropologie Marimekko mini skirt at the local thrift shop I HAD to have it. The colors are bright and bold and everything about it screamed handbag to me! Plus it was only $5- so how could I go wrong?
For this project I used:
1 skirt
1 set of bag handles (recycled from another bag)
1/2 yard canvas fabric- Optional: used to line the bag and make it stiff
1/4 yard accent fabric (for interior pocket and handles)
I wanted to make a bag but I also wanted to alter the original skirt as little as possible. Here's what I did.
I removed the button and zipper from the skirt. I saved them for later - They will come in handy for other projects!
Using a seam ripper I carefully removed the zipper. Making sure not to damage the zipper or the skirt.
Once the zipper was removed, I sewed the side of the skirt closed.
With the skirt turned inside out, I sewed the waistline closed.
Next I trimmed the additional fabric from the waistline so that it would not be too bulky.
I folded the corner to make the bottom guessets.
I stitched guessets into the bottom corners of the bag.
I wasn't sure how this bag would be used and at first I stopped here. DONE! I was going to use the bag for yarn storage so there was nothing more for me to do!
This bag sat on my craft table for a while, when I decided that she was too pretty to just sit in my craft room holding knitting supplies. She needed to be seen, so I added handles to make her street ready!
ADDING HANDLES
I had pre made handles from another bag that I added to Poppy (that's what I named her).
These handles are great, but I needed a way to attach them to Poppy. Using a bit of scrap fabric, I cut a sleeve of fabric.
With the right sides together, I sewed a tube of fabric, the turned it inside out.
I cut the tube of fabric in half, the cut it in half again.
I closed the ends of the fabric tubes with a zigzag stitch to keep them from fraying.
Thread the fabric through the handle rings. Stitch closed!
Pin and sew the handles to the bag.
Secure the handle.
After I added the handles, I thought I was done with this bag. I put my stuff in the bag and hit the streets. Turns out the bag was too soft and unstructured for my taste, so I decided to add a lining.
ADDING A LINING
Choosing a lining was a little sticky. I wanted a lining that was stiff and structured (like leather or vinyl) but also machine washable. In the end I chose a brightly colored canvas duck.
I cut the canvas to roughly the size of the bag.
I cut and sewed an interior pocket.
Sew side seams and bottom gussetts.
Fit lining into the bag.
Stitch lining in place.
NOW, Poppy is ready for a day in the city!
For more ReFashion projects, click HERE!
To start 2017 off right I created a new bag for myself from a skirt! When I saw this Anthropologie Marimekko mini skirt at the local thrift shop I HAD to have it. The colors are bright and bold and everything about it screamed handbag to me! Plus it was only $5- so how could I go wrong?
For this project I used:
1 skirt
1 set of bag handles (recycled from another bag)
1/2 yard canvas fabric- Optional: used to line the bag and make it stiff
1/4 yard accent fabric (for interior pocket and handles)
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Marimekko Mini Skirt - BEFORE transformation |
I wanted to make a bag but I also wanted to alter the original skirt as little as possible. Here's what I did.
I removed the button and zipper from the skirt. I saved them for later - They will come in handy for other projects!
![]() |
Carefully remove the Zipper |
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Carefully remove the zipper |
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Sew the zipper hole closed |
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Turn skirt inside out |
With the skirt turned inside out, I sewed the waistline closed.
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Trim excess fabric. |
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Make bottom guessets |
I folded the corner to make the bottom guessets.
![]() |
Stitch guessets |
I stitched guessets into the bottom corners of the bag.
I wasn't sure how this bag would be used and at first I stopped here. DONE! I was going to use the bag for yarn storage so there was nothing more for me to do!
![]() |
Yarn Storage Bag |
ADDING HANDLES
I had pre made handles from another bag that I added to Poppy (that's what I named her).
![]() |
Pre made handles |
These handles are great, but I needed a way to attach them to Poppy. Using a bit of scrap fabric, I cut a sleeve of fabric.
![]() |
Tube sewn from scrap fabric |
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I cut my fabric tubes in half |
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zigzag stitch the ends closed |
Thread the fabric through the handle rings. Stitch closed!
![]() |
Sew the fabric tubes to the handles |
Secure the handle.
ADDING A LINING
Choosing a lining was a little sticky. I wanted a lining that was stiff and structured (like leather or vinyl) but also machine washable. In the end I chose a brightly colored canvas duck.
I cut the canvas to roughly the size of the bag.
![]() |
Turn and sew pocket edges |
![]() |
Interior pocket |
I cut and sewed an interior pocket.
Sew side seams and bottom gussetts.
Fit lining into the bag.
![]() |
Fit lining |
Stitch lining in place.
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Stitch lining in place |
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Really, REALLY DONE! |
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Ready for Action! |
For more ReFashion projects, click HERE!
1 comments
I love how it turned out!!!Great job!!!
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