1 Hour Paper Bag Skirt Upcycling Tutorial

I finished this paper bag skirt within an hour, and that’s all while taking tutorial photos between each step. This all-weather skirt is the perfect piece to add to your closet. Follow my quick and easy tutorial to make one for yourself.

To be honest, I never really understood the paper bag skirt trend. I was just never drawn to it. That was before I had one! This skirt is SO comfortable. That wide elastic waistband! I can see myself wearing this a lot when I just need something quick but still put-together to throw on.

The Dress

The dress I made this paper bag skirt out of was originally purchased as part of our family Halloween costume. I’m pretty sure it was made and sold as a daytime garment, as shapeless and “blah” as it was, but I purchased it because it looked like a nightdress. I was Little Red Riding Hood’s grandma for Halloween and this was the closest thing to a grandmotherly nightgown that I could find at the thrift shops.

The dress did its job perfectly, but now it’s time for it to move on to better things.

You should be able to use this technique on any button-up dress. Only make sure that it fits over your hips without being unbuttoned. The way I made this paper bag skirt renders the button solely decorative.

NOTE: I have added notes on how to make this with any kind of dress, whether it has buttons or not.

ANOTHER NOTE: this would probably also work well with a really large men’s shirt. Or any size if you’re making it for a child.

The Process

Step one was to remove the top. I cut it straight across right under the armpits; cut it the length you want your skirt to be plus 5 or 6 inches.

After cutting it off, I serge stitched (number 6 on my machine as pictured below) across the top of the skirt so the raw edge doesn’t fray. You can also use a serger if you have one, or just a zig-zag stitch.

Next up I buttoned up all the buttons and folded the top down and inward to make the waist. You need to fold it down enough to make a channel for the elastic to fit through and still have space on top for the gathered paper bag effect. Plus seam allowance, of course.

Stitch it in place along the bottom/serged edge. Stitch right over the double layers of the front opening. Don’t worry about stitching it closed, that’s all part of the plan. (NOTE: If your skirt is NOT a button-up, Leave about a 3-4 inch gap in your stitching. This will be to feed your elastic through later)

Now cut a length of elastic to comfortably fit your waist. It should sit loosly on your waist without sliding down, don’t make it too tight. Add an inch or so of seam allowance.

Using your elastic as a guide draw a chalk line above the previously stitched line. Keep the space bigger than the elastic, you will need some wiggle room (See my image below for reference).

Then stitch along that chalk line.

(Feel free to message or email me with questions if any of this is unclear, I’ll respond as quickly as I can.)

Adding the Elastic

Now open up any buttons that are between those two lines you just stitched. It requires a little finagling, but feed your elastic into that channel through the unbuttoned space. (NOTE: If your skirt doesn’t have buttons, just feed it through that 3-4 inch space you left earlier) Use a large safety pin on the end of the elastic to help feed it all the way through.

Once it’s through, pull both ends out enough that you can stitch them together.

Push the elastic ends into the channel and fasten the buttons. (NOTE: For my non button people, this is where you’ll stitch up that 3-4 inch gap)

My dress luckily came with a belt, but if yours did not you can make one out of the remaining material or use an existing belt. You can also add belt loops before folding the top down if you wish, my dress also had belt loops already. I did get lucky with this one!

And BAM just like that your paper bag skirt is done. Wear it proudly!

Tag me in your posts @thatjochick to be featured on my social media pages 🙂 Happy sewing

For more easy upcycling ideas check out this lace-up top I made from an out dated dress