Hi friends! Are you participating in the radness that is Kids Clothes Week? I know I am. I've joined in on the KCW fun as often as I could for the past few years and it's always such a positive and productive experience.
I have several KCW projects in the works this week and, with any luck, I'll have a few more fun and easy tutorials to share with you before the end of the week. First up, though, this sweet and simple little Quick Skirt!
This skirt is perfect for little girls. It moves really well, but it isn't so full that it flies up and shows off their, you know, tights. ;) It can be made from a wide variety of fabrics and is perfect for church, everyday play, or upcoming holiday parties. And did I mention it's quick?
You know I love a good pattern, but sometimes I just need a quick project to rev my engines. This fun little Quick Skirt does just that! Don't be fooled by the fact that it has fully-enclosed seams and looks like a first rate piece of clothing, this little baby is faaaast. And easy as pie! Get the full how-to below...
Materials:
- 1/2 to 1 yard of fabric (see how to figure out your measurements in Step 1 below)
- 1/2" wide or 3/4" wide elastic (a little more than your child's waist measurement)
- fun trim (optional)
For this skirt, I used a simple, but great navy blue corduroy with a fun mini pom pom trim. I love the way it feels warm and sturdy, but looks fancy enough for a holiday party. Try using different kinds of fabric for different looks!
Step 1: Prepare fabric
To figure out how wide to make the skirt, measure your child's waist and add about 25".
To figure out how long to make the skirt, measure from your child's waist to their knees (or wherever you want the skirt to stop) and add 2 1/2".
For example, my daughter's waist was about 20" and I wanted her finished skirt to be 14" long, so I cut the fabric for her skirt to 44" wide by 17" tall. You may notice that I fudged the numbers a little and I give you full permission to do the same. This is not one of those projects where it's really going to matter. Go wild. (But, ya know, not too wild.)
Do your math and cut your fabric accordingly.
Step 2: Sew side seam (part 1)
With the WRONG sides together, fold your fabric in half so the short ends match.
Pin the short ends together and sew using a 1/2" seam allowance.
Step 3: Sew side seam (part 2)
Trim the seam allowance to 1/8" to 1/4".
Turn the skirt inside out and press the seam allowance to one side of the seam.
Step 4: Sew side seam (part 3)
With the RIGHT sides together, fold your fabric in half (just like you did in step 2) and pin along the existing seam. Sew a new seam using a 3/8" seam allowance.
Press your tidy little (fully enclosed) seam allowance to one side of the seam.
Step 5: Sew side seam (part 4)
Turn the skirt right out.
Edgestitch 1/8" away from the center seam, sewing through the back of the skirt and the seam allowance.
This will keep the seam allowance neatly in place.
Step 6: Hem bottom edge
Turn the skirt inside out again.
Fold the bottom edge up 1/2" all the way around the skirt and press.
Fold the bottom edge over another 1/2" all the way around the skirt and press.
The raw edge along the bottom will now be enclosed.
Turn the skirt right side out and pin the hem in place.
Topstitch all the way around the bottom edge of the skirt 3/8" away from the bottom edge of the skirt.
Optional: Sew a decorative trim onto the bottom edge of the skirt.
For the skirt in the photos, I added a fun little polyester pom pom trim to the bottom edge of the skirt. I tried sewing it on with my machine (with a zipper foot), but in the end I found it was easiest and looked the best to hand-sew the trim on first and then stitch over it with the machine.
Alternatively, you could also add other fun trims like lace, big pom pom trims, or woven ribbons with fun designs.
Step 7: Create casing
Turn the skirt inside out again.
Fold the top edge down 1" all the way around the skirt and press.
Fold the top edge over another 1" all the way around the skirt and press.
The raw edge along the top will now be enclosed.
Starting at the back of the skirt, edgestitch 1/8" away from the bottom of the fold all the way around the skirt, leaving about a 1" opening.
Step 8: Insert elastic
Cut a piece of 3/4" or 1/2" wide elastic to approximately the same length as your child's waist measurement.
(Note: Depending on the kind of fabric you use, you may want to cut your elastic a little longer or a little shorter. Thicker fabric tends to need a slightly shorter piece of elastic.)
Insert a safety pin into one end of the elastic and, using the safety pin, guide your elastic through the casing, making sure the elastic doesn't get twisted as you go.
Once the elastic has been threaded through the entire casing with both ends poking out of the opening, overlap the ends of the elastic and pin together with a safety pin.
Try the skirt on your child to check for fit. If necessary, cut off a small portion of the elastic to get the fit just right.
Once you like the fit, overlap the ends of the elastic and sew them together using a zigzag stitch along the top and bottom edge of the overlapped portion of elastic.
Ease the sewn portion of the elastic into the casing and sew the casing shut.
Finished!
Enjoy twirling and playing in your fun new skirt!
No comments:
Post a Comment