I made this sweet skirt as a birthday gift for Lydia. I've seen skirts with bows at the waist in several catalogs so it seems to be a bit trendy. It came out so cute and was so easy to make I naturally had to make more for my other big girls (I have two down, one to go).
I often hear from mothers who say they would like to sew but can't find the time. I also hear from mothers who have difficulty finding modest clothing for their older girls. This skirt is very quick and easy to make - you don't need a pattern, there is minimal cutting, and I completed it in about an hour. The price is also very reasonable - using sale fabrics the skirt cost about seven dollars.
I made these for my ten and thirteen-year-old daughters. I purchased two yards of standard 45" wide cotton fabric. This allows for a little left over to play with, and it's easier than trying to remember exact measurements of what I need. You will also need a package of 'double fold bias tape' a.k.a. 'quilt binding', and one package of baby rick rack. (Okay, no one actually ever needs rick rack but it adds a nice touch.) Also needed is a length of 1/2" elastic and of course thread.
Anna chose bright lime green for her skirt, with accents of red (she like the Narnia movie 'CG' effect, hee). The first step is to cut two lengths of fabric as long as you want the skirt to be, plus four inches. Leave the pieces the full width (45"). For example, if you want a 24" length skirt you would cut two pieces of fabric 28" x 45". The 45" width makes for less cutting and a nice full, comfortable, easy-to-play-in skirt. Put the two pieces together, right sides together, and stitch up your side seams. Sew the whole length on one side.
On the other side, leave the top three inches open:
Press your seams open. By using the whole width of the fabric you have the selvages at the side seams, so they are already nicely finished and won't fray.
Now topstitch down along the part you left open as shown:
To make the hem, turn up 1/2 inch along the bottom and press:
Turn up another 3 1/2" and press again.
Now machine stitch your hem.
Next, place your rick rack over the hem stitching, and stitch it in place by machine (using a fairly small stitch length), covering up your hem stitching:
Now back to the top. Gather the fabric up at the top by pinning it into pleats. It will still be wider than the girl's waist, but you will add elastic later. Baste the pleats in place using a long stitch length on your machine.
Now you are going to add the seam binding at the top edge. The seam binding will be the waist band and casing for the elastic, and also the ties for the bow. Starting at the open edge of your side seam, place the seam binding over the top pleated edge, covering up your basting. Leave approximately twenty inches extra on each end for the ties. Start sewing at the skirt edge, leaving the tie part open for now. Sew along the bottom of the seam binding, close to the edge:
Next you are going to insert the elastic into this casing that you just made. Cut a piece of elastic long enough to go around the girl's waist comfortably. I like to cut it a little big and try it on for size before I make the final adjustment to make sure it's a good, comfortable fit. (No girl wants to wear a skirt that pinches or that keeps slipping down, for sure.) Thread your elastic through the casing - a diaper pin is always handy for this.
When you have a good fit sew across the seam binding at the skirt edge, catching in the end of the elastic. Go over it a couple of times so it is nice and secure. Then continue on down the length of the ties, edge-stitching the seam binding closed. Turn in a bit on the ends to finish them off neatly before you sew them closed:
Here's another view of the waist:
That's it! You're all done. Iron- on cherries are optional but cute:
For Lydia, I made an elastic-backed headscarf with the extra fabric and seam binding:
Sew cute!
I hope these instructions were clear. If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to email and I would love to see a picture if you make a skirt!
Happy sewing!
THESE ARE SOOOOOO CUTE!!! You did an amazing job! I LOVE THEM!! (And your daughters loot so darling in them too!)
I don't know how to sew yet, but I just bought a machine, and my son's AP tutor said she would love to come over and teach me, so I am very excited! Hopefully I will start learning soon.
I would love to be able to make these!
Posted by: Jessica | July 16, 2008 at 08:43 PM
These are so pretty! I am going to have to try doing this.
The models are quite lovely as well.
I hope to see you next weekend.
Posted by: Mary Ellen Barrett | July 16, 2008 at 09:30 PM
Oh these are so cute, I can't wait to make one for Violet, I've been meaning to do a three tiered one, but I like these even better, thank you so much, she will be totally excited!!! Hugs!
Posted by: Meredith | July 17, 2008 at 12:25 PM
Finally! A resaon to use my birthday gift from two years ago!
Posted by: Paula in MN | July 18, 2008 at 06:48 AM
I LOVE these skirts!! What about for adults?? Would the directions be much different?
Posted by: Jamie | July 28, 2008 at 07:56 AM
wow, great instructions with photos! you make it look so very easy.
thanks for taking all that time to share with us :O)
Posted by: Shelly | July 28, 2008 at 04:21 PM
Thank you for sharing! I made two skirts, today, for my two eldest. I modified your instructions slightly, as I was too lazy to make pleats. I will share photos and the modifications that I made as soon as I have some free time. Thank you, once again. My daughters really like their skirts!
Posted by: Christine | August 11, 2008 at 09:20 PM
Oops, that should have read, "My two eldest daughters and I made skirts, today."
Posted by: Christine | August 11, 2008 at 09:22 PM