Apron Skirt Tutorial

 

This is such a simple and easy little skirt to make. I wanted to do something different than just a bunch of plain skirts for Skirting the Issue and this is one of them that I decided on.

 

I used about a 1/2 yard for the skirt and maybe an 1/8 for the little apron. A fat quarter would be great!! 😉

 

 

Step 1 – 

 

Fold over the edges on 3 side by a 1/4″, press and fold them again by 1/2″

Then  stitch them in place.

PRESS again!

 

Step 2 – 

 

Next  cut out a heart from the main fabric, just like cutting a heart from paper. 😉

Then  pin it within an inch of its life and zigzag it all around.

PRESS!!

 

 

Step 3 –

 

Set the little apron aside and fold and press your hem. Fold and press 1/2 ” and then again by 3/4″.

Then  stitch it in place and press again!

 

 

Step 4 – 

 

Now, pin the apron to the skirt, wrong side of apron to right side of skirt.

Sew a line of stitches across the top to secure the 2 pieces together.

 

 

Step 5 –

 

 

Next, pin and sew your back seam.

Press it.

 

 

Step 6 –

 

Now, you are going to make your elastic casing.

Fold over the top of the skirt by 3/4″ and press. Then fold it over by 1″ and press.

Sew the casing but make sure to leave an opening to insert the elastic.

Pin one (or both ends) of the elastic with a large safety pin and thread it through the casing.

Sew the ends of the elastic together.

Sew the casing closed.

You are now DONE!!!!!!

Sit back and admire your pretty little appliqued apron skirt! 😉

 

As always, if you have any questions, just hit the Contact Me button at the top of the page and shoot me an email! I always answer back! 😉

Let me know if you find this easy to follow!

 

THANKS!!!!

 

HAPPY SEWING!

 

SquigglyTwigs Designs Pattern Test

 

 

I had the wonderful opportunity to test another pattern for my friend over at SquigglyTwigs Designs.  I just love her patterns and tutorials!!! They are so easy to follow! It took me only a couple of hours to cut and sew this cute skirt!! The patterns and tutorials are great for both beginners and intermediate sewists.

The length on this skirt (the Twirl Skirt) is supposed to hit just below the knee. As you can see mine is quite a bit longer. LOL I did the pattern test for the standard fit size 8. The reason that pattern designers want pattern testers is so they can check fit and make sure that all pieces and instructions are there, accurate and easy to follow.

 

 

All SquigglyTwigs Designs patterns are wonderfully priced and most include instructions for adults, children and dolls!

I hope you go check SquigglyTwigs Designs out!!! You won’t be sorry!! Be sure to click on the Tutorials section!!!

 

Ghostly Giggles Skirt Tutorial

I finished the skirt! YAY!!! It was actually fairly fast… I started it the day we left for Georgia and didn’t touch again until today. 😉

 

 

 

 

What I used:

1 package of Casper the Friendly Ghost fat quarters

3/4″ elastic

 

 

Step 1 –

 

I cut each fat quarter into thirds, they were 7″ wide. Then I cut 3″ off the bottoms.

 

Step 2-

 

I took 6 of the 7″ strips and sewed them together for the top tier of the skirt.

Then I took 12 of the 7″ strips and sewed them together for the bottom tier.

Usually a pack of fat quarters will have more of 2 designs than the others and one fat quarter all by itself.

 

Step 3-

 

Next, I sewed 2 lines of gathering stitches. On my machine I set both stitch settings to the largest settings. Then, pull gently on the bottom threads to create your gathers.

 

Step 4-

 

Remove the cat from the fabric. SIGH………….

 

Step 5-

 

Now, pin the bottom of your top tier to the top of the bottom tier with right sides together, adjusting the gathers as needed.

Then sew the tiers together!

 

Step 6-

 

Next, pin up the sides of the skirt and sew the back seam!

 

Step 7-

 

Fold over the top 1/2″ and press. Fold over 1″, press and pin. Then sew your elastic casing for the waist band, making sure to leave an opening for the elastic!

 

Step 8-

 

Now, cut your elastic to your child’s waist measurement -1″.

Then, safety pin both ends of the elastic and either hold tightly to both ends or pin one end to yourself.  Insert the elastic through the opening.

Next, sew the opening closed!

 

Step 9-

 

Now, fold up the bottom of the skirt 1/2″ and press. Fold up 1″, press and pin. Next sew your hem!!!

 

Now you are ALLLLLL done!! YAY!!!!! You could always add a ruffle to the bottom if you’d like. 🙂

 

 

As always, I would love to hear what you think about the tutorial! Was it clear and easy to follow??? And definitely let me know if you decide to make one! I would love to see it!!!

 

The Hocus Pocus Skirt Tutorial

 

Here is it! My Big Idea… LOL I like it… It didn’t turn out EXACTLY how I wanted it to, but I’m satisfied… There is one part that I will probably go back and change, though…. I was trying to go for a multi-layer effect so instead of sewing the lace ON TOP of the underskirt hem, I sewed it to the back… I think I am going to grab my BFF , Sally the Seam Ripper, and go back and do that part over. It would look much nicer that way, I think….

Anyway! Here we go!

What I used–

2 yards of print for the upper skirt

2 yards of solid for the under skirt

1 old lace curtain LOL

2 old lace valances LOL

1″ elastic

 

I got some new curtains for the dining/sewing room/library and I have been storing the old lace ones in the linen closest. LOL

 

Step 1 –

 

OK, let me first explain about my short legs… They are Hobbit short, people… Seriously. Actually, I have Hobbit feet, too, just minus all the yucky foot hair…. LOL  Anyway, I cut the upper skirt at 23″. LOL S

So, cut 2 pieces, each the width of the fabric.

When you cut, make a curve at the bottom, like in the picture below.

 

 

 

Step 2-

 

I cut the underskirt at 27″. Cut 2 pieces, the width of the fabric and with a curve.

 

Step 3 –

 

I cut 6 1/2 ” off both sides of the curtains. You will need to cut the lace the width of the skirt fabric. So, you will also have 2 sections of lace.

 

Step 4-

 

Next, I cut the ruffles off both valances.  I left about 3″ of the plain lace above the ruffles.

 

Step 5-

 

Sew one end of the lace strips together.  Set aside.

 

Step 6-

 

Now, right sides together, sew ONE side of the underskirt together.

I promise that I ironed that fabric.. LOL I ironed and ironed and ironed and that is just as good as it would get. LOL But, really, I think it’s fitting for a Halloween skirt. LOL

 

Step 7-

 

Now, roll up 3/4″ of the bottom of the underskirt and press. The roll up 1″, press and sew your hem.

It would look MUCH better if you have brown thread… LOL I don’t. I probably should have used black instead of white, though…. 😉

Learn from my goof ups! 😉

 

Step 8-

 

Now, fold the 2 0r 3″ that you left above the ruffle over the lace strip, pin and sew together.

 

Step 9-

 

On this part, if I were you, I would pin the ruffle OVER the hem of the underskirt and attach it there, instead of behind…. Again, learn from my many mistakes! LOL 😉

Set this aside.

 

Step 10-

 

Right sides together, pin and sew up ONE side of the overskirt.

 

Step 11-

 

Fold up 3/4″  of the bottom of the overskirt and press. Fold up 1″, press, pin and sew the hem.

This probably would have looked better with the black thread, too… SIGH… Live and learn. Or better yet, SEW and learn! LOL

 

Step 12-

 

Pin the right side of the underskirt to the wrong side of the upperskirt and sew them together with a finishing stitch. (zigzag, overlock)

 

Step 13-

Pin the sides of the overskirt together and sew the side seam. Do the same to the underskirt.

 

 

Step 14-

 

 

Fold over the top 1 1/2″ , press, pin and sew the elastic casing making sure to leave an opening to insert the elastic through. 😉

 

Step 15-

 

Pin a safety pin to both ends of the elastic and insert the elastic into the casing.

 

Step 16-

 

Sew the ends of the elastic together using a zigzag stitch.

Now, sew your casing closed!

 

ALL DONE!!!!! 🙂

 

 

Here’s a close up of the bottom! 🙂

 

 

 

Please, let me know what you think about this tutorial. If you make the skirt PLEASE let me know!!!!! 🙂

 

 

I may be a little quiet the next few days. We are going to be leaving to go to Georgia so The Hubby can check out at least one job, possibly two!!!

 

Fat Quarter Skirt Tutorial

I was perusing the fabric aisle at Walmart the other day when I found PINK PANTHER fat quarters!!!! OH MY GOSH!!!!! They were on sale for $5 a pack!!!! So I grabbed 2… LOL I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with them though. UNTIL the Cs had a sleepover. Then I knew! Cailey and her 2 BFFs could have matching skirts!! PERFECT!!! And you get a new tutorial! 😉

 

 

 

 

What I Used-

1/2  a package of fat quarter

 

 

 

Step 1 –

 

Take one piece of each design or 3 pieces. Set the unique piece aside (to use as a waist band). Then cut the fat quarters into thirds.

 

 

Step 2 –

 

Take the fat quarter that you set aside for the waistband and cut it into fourths. Set 2 aside for the waistband.

 

 

Step 3 –

 

Go ahead and stack the pieces in the order you want to sew them in.

 

Step 4 –

 

 

Pin your first 2 pieces together, right sides touching, and sew the seam!

I usually do a finishing stitch first and then do mu straight stitch, but I’m weird like that. 😉

 

 

Step 5 –

 

Continue pinning and sewing until you have used all your pieces! 🙂

 

 

Step 6 –

Apparently, I forgot to take a picture of this step… SIGH… Sorry about that!!!! It’s easy, though. You need to gather the top of the skirt!

On my machine I set both of my stitch settings to the largest number and run 2 lines of straight stitches. Then I pull on the bottom thread on one side and gather, then I pull on the bottom thread from the other side and gather.

 

 

Step 7 –

 

Now, take your 2 waistband pieces and sew one end to one end.

 

Step 8 –

 

Now, turn in 1/4 inch at the top and press. Then a 1/4 inch at the bottom and press.

 

Step 9 –

 

Fold in half and press!

 

 

Step 10 –

 

 

Open up the waistband and pin the skirt inside, leaving at least 5″ on each side for the ties.

 

 

Step 11 –

 

Run a straight stitch from one of the waist band to the other. This will leave the ends as ties and enclose the top of the skirt inside of the waistband.

 

 

Step 12 –

 

Fold over the ends of the ties, press and stitch across.

 

 

Step 13 –

 

Fold over the raw edges of the side of the skirt 1/4 inch and press. Fold over another 1/4 inch, press and pin. This will enclose those raw edges.

 

Step 14 –

 

Pin the sides together and sew the seam but be sure to leave 3 or 4 inches from the top of the waistband down. That will leave room for your child to get the skirt on and off.

 

Step 15 –

 

Fold over the bottom of the skirt 3/4 inch and press. Fold over another 3/4 inch, press and pin.

Sew your hem!

 

 

Press and you are all DONE!!!! YAY!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I will be making one skirt with a button closure and one with an elastic waistband, that way the girls will be able to tell which one belongs to them. 😉

 

As always, let me know what you think! Was this easy to follow??? And definitely let me know if you make one!! I would LOVE to see the pictures! 🙂

 

 

 

 

Sewing for Charity – Part 3: The Skirts Tutorial

 

 

YAY!!! I have my skirts all done! I made 2 yellow and 2 purple in different sizes. I found some great crepe backed satin in the remnants bin at Hancock’s!! So the 4 skirts cost a little over $4!!! Isn’t that awesome?????

I made up a little tutorial for them although they are very simple and easy to make. 😉

I am thinking about adding some little bows to them so they won’t so plain.

 

What I Used 

3 yards of crepe backed satin

2 yards of off white broadcloth (for lining)

1 1/2 yards of 1/2″ elastic

 

 

Step 1 –

 

Remove the cat from the fabric, dust off and iron, AGAIN!!!!! SIGH……..

 

Step 2 –

Cut your fabric to the width and length you need. This was about 42 wide by 28 long.

 

Step 3 –

 

Cut the lining the same width but 4″ shorter. I like the lining to be s bit shorter than the skirt. It’s just a personal preference. You can make it the same length if you like.

 

Step 4 –

 

Pin the top of the main fabric to the top of the lining and sew them together with a straight stitch.

 

 

Step 5 –

 

Fold over the top about a 1/2″ and press.

 

Step 6 –

 

Fold up the bottom of the lining a 1/2″ and press. Fold over again 1″ and press.  Pin and sew the hem. Press again.

 

 

Step 7 –

 

Pin the sides together and sew the seam. Press the seam to one side.

 

 

Step 8 –

 

Fold the top over 1″ and press. This will be your elastic casing. Pin and sew with a straight stitch making sure to leave and opening to insert the elastic.

 

 

Step 9 –

 

Pin both ends of the elastic and either hold on tightly to both ends or pin one end to the fabric.

 

 

Step 10 –

 

Sew the ends of the elastic together. I usually use a zigzag stitch if the elastic is above 1/4″. Sew the opening closed.

 

 

Step 11 –

 

Fold over the bottom 3/4″ and press. Fold over 1/2″, press and hem!

 

Now turn right side out and press!

You’re all done! 🙂 Now you have made a simple skirt for charity! YAY!!!! 🙂 Let me know if this was easy to follow or not!

You can find a local agency to give it to or you can send it along to Skirting the Issue at Project Run & Play.  They even have a sizing chart to help you out. 🙂

Tonight I will start sewing shorts for the  Hopeful Threads  sew along for Children In Families in Cambodia. I will put up a tutorial for the self patterned shorts but I think I will also be using the free Fishsticks Designs pattern for a couple of pairs.

Both sites have prizes that you can enter to win if you wish.

 

 

 

 

What a Hoot Skirt and Tutorial

This is the best I can do by way of pictures tonight. I promise to take a better pic tomorrow and this time I will actually be wearing the skirt! 😉 I just wanted to get this on here tonight!

So here we go!!

I started with 2 yrds of midnight blue taffeta. Then I gathered a few scraps to use for the tree, moon, leaves and owls. You will need at least a 4″ zipper.

Step 1- Measure your waist.

Step 2- Find the middle of the fabric (while folded in half, long ways)

Step 3- Fold over again

Step 4- Mark your measurements on the fabric with pins (this will be 1/4 of the total measurement you took plus 1/4″ for seams)

Step 5- From your measure take a straight edge and mark a slant on the fabric.

Step 6- Cut the slant.

Step 7- Open up and cut the pieces in 2 making the front and back of the skirt. Put the back aside for now.

Step 8- Grab a brown paper bag, wrapping paper or whatever you have to draw out your tree pattern. Draw it and cut it out.

Step 9- Take your tree pattern and place it on your green scraps. Cut a half circle around the branches.

Step 10- Now pin and cut your tree from your brown fabric.

Step 11- Find something round to trace your moon onto your yellow fabric. Cut it out and then cut it into a crescent.

Step 12- Cut out your owls or birds from your scraps.

Step 13- Pin your green “leaves” to the front of your skirt. Zig-zag stitch all the way around.

Step 14- Pin your tree to the front of the skirt and over part of the leaves. Zig-zag around.

Step 15- Pin your moon and zig-zag it to your skirt.

Step 16- Pin your owls, birds, whatever and zig-zag those to the branches of the tree.

Step 17- Grab the back of your skirt and pin one side to the front with right sides together. Sew your seam.

Step 18- Take the whole measure of your waist and cut a long strip in that length by about 4″. This will be your waistband.

Step 19- Fold waistband in half and press.

Once again, remove cat from fabric. SIGH…..

Step 20- Pin the waistband to top of skirt, right sides together. Stitch.

Step 21- Grab a 4″ zipper and pin then stitch to the other side of the skirt (where you haven’t sewn a seam yet)

Some people sew the seam first, I prefer to do the zipper first. It’s much easier for me that way.

Step 22- Pin and stitch the other seam.

Step 23- Pin and hem!

Turn it right side out, press your hem and you are DONE!!! 🙂 Easy peasy!

I left the edges raw instead of zig-zagging right on top of them. I think I like the look of it better that way.

I hope you like it! Give it try!

Let me know if this was easy to follow or not. I never know if I am clear enough or take too many (or not enough) pics! LOL

May Flowers Skirt and Tutorial

May Flowers Skirt Tutorial –

I am sooooo excited to bring you this tutorial!! My very first!! 🙂 I dreamed this skirt up out of the blue and thankfully I was able to see it to fruition! I will be entering this skirt in the Crafterhours Skirt Week contest in the children’s skirt category so wish me luck!!!!

Fabric – 1 yd of cornflower blue satin – blue for sky (you can use any kind of fabric but blue in color would be best)
Fabric scraps in many colors – for flowers
Fabric scraps in green – leaves
Fabric scraps in yellow – sun
Fabric scraps in white – cloud
Stretch of green in width of the front panel –  grass
Scraps of ribbon –  flower petals, flower stems
Buttons – flower middles
Elastic – measured to child’s waist + ½ inch
White thread – I used white to give it the look I wanted. (D says it looks like a La La Loopsy LOL)

1 – I started by cutting the satin into an A-line. I cut it while still folded over and then cut the pieces apart after I had my lines. It’s easier to do it that way than to cut the back and front and THEN try to get an even line on the sides.

2- I put the green underneath the skirt and cut the angles.

Sorry… The pic is a little sideways.

3- I zig-zag stitched the entire perimeter of the green section.

4- Pin the green to the front of the front panel, make sure to turn up the bottom of the front panel and pin for the hem.

5- Straight stitch green to blue, creating a hem as you go.

6- Gather some round items to use as a guide for your flowers and sun.

7- Cut circles – 2 of each color

8- Draw out a cloud on the white scraps and cut while folded (but not ON the fold)

9- Cut ribbon into sections for flower petals

10 – Pin ribbon petals between flower sections

11- Zig-zag stitch all around

12- Continue to do that with the other flowers or leave on plain like I did.

13- Pin ribbon for stems in between the grass and skirt front panel. You can also pin the leaves.

14- Straight stitch together.

15- Straight stitch up both sides on all stems.

16- Pin flowers to the tops of stems.

Sorry! I forgot to take pics for these steps!

17- If you are using buttons for the middles, attach the flowers to the skirt by sewing the buttons through the flower middles into the front panel of skirt.

18- If you have a flower that won’t have a middle, straight stitch all the way around it to attach it to the skirt front.

19- Zig-zag stitch around both pieces of the cloud

20- Pin to the top corner of skirt panel, making sure to leave room for side seams and waist.

21- Zig-zag to skirt.

22- Zig-zag stitch around both pieces of the sun. (sewing them together)

23- Pin  to the top corner of skirt front.

24- Zig-zag stitch sun to the skirt front

25- Pin and hem back panel of skirt.

26- Pin sides of skirt together (right sides together) and sew side seams.

27- Leaving skirt inside out, pin over the top, leaving room for the elastic.

28- Sew elastic pocket but leave an opening to put the elastic through.

29- Pin safety pins to BOTH ends of elastic and thread through the elastic pocket opening. Be sure to hold firmly to both ends.

30. Sew ends of elastic together.

31- Sew the opening closed.

32- Turn right side out.

You are done!! Congratulations! You have made the May Flower Skirt!!!

This way my first tutorial so let me know if it was easy for you to follow. I am definitely open for constructive criticism. 😉

I will be putting another skirt together this week and I will be sure to add a tutorial for it as well! I can’t wait for you to see it!! Another one that is different and came straight from my mind (a very scary place! LOL).

Linking up to The Shabby Creek Cottage Transformation Thursday Linky Party