Swing skirt/4panel skirt

My next Alabama Chanin effort will use up the last of my big Amazon haul of Men's size XXXXL Gildan T-shirts.

Sidenote:  I know that buying T-shirts on Amazon and then cutting them off is pretty much anathema to the whole Alabama Chanin sustainable style thing.  But I'm in England!  Without any built-up knowledge about the stores here, how to get things delivered, etc.  I did try and get swatches from a few online sources here in the UK - they all turned out to be thinner than the thinnest t-shirt I'd ever had.  AC charges more than $100 to ship to the UK.  I...just...couldn't....not without knowing if I'd even like this style of garment!  / end impassioned rant/apology.

Anyhoo - I had a very large dark blue T-shirt, and was able to get the 4 panels of the Swing Skirt (also referred to as 4-panel skirt) pattern onto it.  I quickly stitched up the side seams (2 strands of cotton embroidery floss this time) - took about one hour.  Tried it on - not terrible!  It's about knee length, the fabric is the faintest bit see-through if I stand in front of a light, and the waist gaps terribly.  But that was not a surprise - Alabama Chanin has you apply fold-over elastic along the waistlines of all of her skirts.  Wasn't going to do that (sounds uncomfortable!).  My plan is to...

1: Unpick the seams back 2 inches from the top on two seams (done!)
2: Use the cut-off edge of the T-shirt (saved as a single big loop) as a drawstring - insert into new gap between two panels. (done)
3: Re-stitch seams above the drawstring. (done)
4: Baste top edge of skirt to inside, encasing drawstring. (done)
5: Embellish over basting from outside, with herringbone stitch. (done)
6: Remove basting, try on, purse lips. (done)
7: Topstitch all seams and call it a day (to do tonight)


Unpicked side seams and drawstring:

Drawstring in place:

Sewn back in:

Upper edge folded down and stitched into drawstring tunnel with herringbone stitch:

Here's a fuzzy nighttime pic of it on - I'll get a better one once I've topstitched the side seams. There are lots of things one can do with the big loopy drawstring.  Can be worn on the side like this, or in front/back, as well.