Recycled Table Cloth Button Wrap Skirt

        I love recycling clothing. It's all about improvising so even though I'm giving some instructions here I hope you're inspired to make this project your own.

You will need:
        a table cloth, curtain or sheet (a circle is best but square or rectangle will do)
        2 buttons
        a piece of newspaper
        a marker, pen or tailor's chalk
        scissors
        a straight edge
        thread
        a sewing machine (or mad skill)
        pins
        an iron (not in the instructions, but always makes sewing easier if you start by ironing)

Cut it out:

Step 1) If you have a rectangle make it into a square:

Step 2) If you have a square make it into a circle:

(You can draw the arc or measure it. To measure find the length of one side of the square and mark it on your straight edge. Then move your straight edge to make an angle with the apex at the corner where the folded sides meet. Make a mark on the fabric next to the mark on the straight edge. Make as many marks and angles as you need and then draw your arc through each of these marks)

Step 3) Leave the fabric folded in fourths. Draw a circle on a piece of newspaper that is larger than your hips - I traced a lazy susan, but you could also use a large bucket top or a pizza pan. Cut out the paper circle and fold it in fourths. Put the folded corner of the paper circle on the folded corner of the fabric and trace the paper arc onto the fabric. Keep the fabric folded and turn it over to trace the paper arc on the other side. Now unfold the fabric to make a half circle with a smaller half circle drawn on it (don't cut yet).

Step 4) Use your straight edge to draw a straight line parallel to the edge of the fabric. Start about two inches below the fold at the edge of the circle. Continue through the closest edge of the smaller drawn half circle and stop at the other side of the drawn half circle. Now cut out the long thin rectangle you have just made. Then cut out what's left of the smaller half circle making a moon shape.

Step 5) You might need extra length on your waistband and you can get some from the moon shape by unfolding the waistband and laying it along the straight side of the moon shape. Trace the width of the waistband and then cut it out. Use a square or the edge of a book to make the ends of the waist band pieces straight. Then sew each short piece on either end of the long piece and iron the seams open.

Sew it together:

If you've done a bit of sewing the rest is pretty straight forward so I'll make these instructions brief but if you have any questions leave a comment and I'll answer you.

1) Finish the straight edges of the skirt as you would a hem.

2) Match the center of the waistband to the center of the top of a skirt - right side of the waistband to wrong side of the skirt. Pin (if you like) and sew.

3) Leaving 3-4 inches of waistband extending at each side of the skirt cut the ends of the waistband at a 45 degree angle to avoid fabric bunching.

4) Fold the ends of the waistband to make it flush with the ends of the skirt then fold the band twice along its length to cover the unfinished side of the band and the seam that you've sewn already. The iron and some pins are handy for this step especially. Sew along the length of the waistband 2-5 mm above the fold.

5) Make a button hole at either end of the waistband parallel to the length of the waistband.

6) Wrap the skirt around your waist and pin it where you like the fit. Mark where your buttons will sit and sew them on, one facing out and one facing in. Sew on the buttons and you're done.

        Here's how mine turned out:

Because it's so adjustable I especially like the fit of the waist:

That was fun. I hope you liked it too.

        Right now I'm working on a meditation cushion, some felted slippers and a cat toy. Next week I'm going to try for pictures of two out of those three. I also have an entrepreneurship meeting this week at the local employment center and I'll fill you in on how that goes. Have a good week!