Making a Skirt from a Maternity Top

I found this cute top on end-of-season clearance for $3 last year. I wore it once then washed it and it shrunk up rather than in. One of the reasons I bought it was because of its length. Hitting below my hip bone, it would have been good for layering. But since it shrunk, I'm not sure I ever wore it again. Another item for the closet aka black hole. 

I pulled it out again today thinking about taking it in to give it a better fit, but decided instead to make a t-shirt to skirt conversion. You can see how this top lends itself to becoming a skirt with its A-line cut.

I cut the top off right below the arm holes, then attached a 3-inch band of green printed fabric to the top for a waist band. Next step was to create an enclosure for the band at the waist. I loath sewing in zippers and the only thing worse is sewing a zipper on stretchy fabric. So I added some character by using these buttons made of recycled plastic.

Here is the finished skirt. This was a pretty simple project and inexpensive, too! The original shirt was about $3, the buttons were also $3 but I used a 40% off coupon, and as for the darker green fabric and thread, I had both of those laying around the house from previous sewing projects.