Monday, July 26, 2010

Lush Skirt tutorial

Remember a few weeks ago I made this skirt and top for my daughter,well I decided to write a tutorial on how to make one.


Bear with me,this is my first tutorial...and its for a skirt for my 7 year old Cerys. We love these wonderfully colourful fabrics. The combinations are endless.
This is a gathered skirt with a flat front waistband and elasticated back waistband. The length of the skirt from the top on the waistband to the hem is 15invhes.So if you want the skirt to be a different length ,adjust your piece lengths.

What you need for this skirt are

2 co-ordinating fat quarters

Piece of 1 inch elastic

Thread

ric rac(optional)


Decide which will be your main fabric and cut the fat quarter in half so you have 2 pieces each measuring 10 x 21 inches ( front and back)

Cut co-ord fabric into 2 pieces measuring 5.5 x 21
and
1 piece 13 x 4(front waistband)
and
1 piece 21 x 4 (back waistband)




Take the 13 x 4 inch piece ( front waistband) and front piece. Mark the centres

Centre markings



Pin some pleats in place, keeping centre markings centred until the front and waistband are the same width.



Pin and sew together



Pin right sides of back waistband and back piece together (no pleats this time).Pin and sew as front.


Press seams flat towards the waistband.






Pin front and back right sides together at sides.


Sew side seams together .



Pin and sew co-ord fabric 21 x 4 inch pieces together at sides.



Pin hem band and front pieces together making sure the side seams line up



Sew and overlock together, also overlock the raw edge of the waistband and the hem band.




Press up a little hem on the hem band.


Press under the waistband so it is about 1.25inches high.






I cut my elastic 10 inches long. Pin the edge of the elastic to the side seam of the waistband on each side



Sew in place.




Place some pins through the layers along the lower edge of the waistband .




Sew along the lower edge taking care not to stitch through the elastic.




The elastic will gather up making it difficult to manage so put the needle down into the fabric, lift the pressure foot and move the elastic through.You may need to do this a few times.The ric rac is optional ! Place it on top of the seam and sew along.

I sewed ric rac on the lower edge to sew the hem in place. If you do not use ric rac simply machine or hand sew the hem.
Here it is ...the finished skirt. If there is any part of this tutorial you cannot follow please comment below and I will try to enlighten you!!



Totally Tutorials Blog

10 comments:

  1. That's a pretty one. I used to make skirts for my little girl too..until she became a teenager!

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  2. Great Tutorial, will definitely be making one for willow!

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  3. Nice tutorial, Andrea! Thanks for using inches instead of centimeters ;o)Your sweetie must be teeny-tiny. LittleGirl would need more than two fat-quarters to cover her tushie! LOL I'm going to give it a try for my niece though. Her birthday is next week. Thanks for sharing. Happy Sewing! :o)

    www.seamsinspired.com

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  4. Well done on your first tutorial Andrea!! Looks very good. Fi

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  5. Andrea your tutorial is great! Sounds very easy to follow, and I've never made any clothing! Love your pillows also, I have a new found addiction to applique!

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  6. Congratulations on your first tutorial! It was extremely clear. I just wish my daughter was young enough to wear it! Thanks for sharing.

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  7. Good job on your first tutorial! Looks easy to follow and the pics are great. Thanks for sharing.

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  8. The tutorial is great. Thanks for sharing.

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  9. I love this skirt! Is there any way you could tell me how to modify it for a two-year-old? I'd love to make it for my daughter. Thanks :)

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