Jersey Knit Dress to Pencil Skirt Tutorial (Refashion)

Holy Smokes, not my best blog pics ever. The before picture was taken a few years ago because somehow I deleted the before pics I just recently took. Sad.

However, you're in luck because I do have the step-by-step pictures! This dress to pencil skirt refashion came from the inspiration I had after the dress was just hanging in my closet next to this hot pink shirt. I thought the navy blue was perfect with pink, not to mention I hadn't worn this dress in probably over a year. The dress is a jersey material, so this tutorial mainly caters to jersey and knits, otherwise you would need a zipper.

The process of turning a dress or an a-line skirt into a pencil skirt is so simple! Check out my lace pencil skirt tutorial for another skirt done using the same process.

Step 1: Cut off the skirt part of your dress. Flip inside-out. Pin to desired pencil width. 

• I like to use one of my other pencil skirts as an outline or you can pin it while wearing it.
• Use the existing hem. It saves time, effort, and looks really great!

Step 2: Sew along your pinned sides. Zigzag or serge your raw edges.

Step 3: Waist band.

• If your dress has ties, like these below, you might be able to use them as the waist band. Just cut it right off!
• Or use some of the left over fabric, fold over and sew so that the raw edges are no longer showing.
• Measure out the length of your waist band so that it's snug on your waist.

Step 4: Attach to your skirt and sew on.

Step 5: Try it on and make sure it fits nicely!

I just love how light and comfy it is for summer! And as a student at BYU-Idaho during the summer, I need some comfy skirts, because pants just won't do!

Well, there you have it. Cliche.

If you have a dress or clothing item that could use a makeover, tell me about it! We can brainstorm some refashion ideas!


---Elizabeth