3.22.2009

Skirt Pattern

Warmer weather is upon us here in Oklahoma. And with the changing of seasons comes the changing of wardrobes (winter clothes up to the attic and summer outfits back in the closets). Wanting to supplement my girls' warm weather choices without spending a ton of money, I decided to create a skirt pattern that would use up some of my fabric scraps


To begin, I cut 8 panels from the pattern piece (mixing and matching fabrics produces the cutest results). Click HERE to access a pdf of the panel pattern. Also, even though the pdf only includes a few sizes, the pattern is very forgiving. If you need it a little bigger, simply add a few inches in length, and it will still look great.

I arranged them in alternating order (using 4 or 8 fabrics looks adorable as well).

Then, I attached each panel side-to-side. The addition of a zig-zag stitch along the seams helped to prevent fraying.

Once the panels were all joined, I created the waist-band. This was made simple by using extra wide bias tape (it is actually meant for quilt binding). I folded the bias tape over the top of the skirt, and stitched close to the bottom edge of the binding to allow room for elastic to slide through.

Leaving an opening at each end of the bias tape allowed me to feed the elastic through. I measured my daughter's waist and added an additional inch to that measurement to determine the length of my elastic. The finishing step is to hem the bottom edge with a double-folded hem.

These skirts were so fun and very quick to make - I enjoyed adding pineapple and rosette embellishments on a couple of them. My girls, as I've mentioned before are skirt and dress fanatics, so I will probably be putting together several more for the summer.

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

Absolutely adorable! I have plenty of scraps I need to use up...

By the way, I was tagged with the Kreativ Blogger award, and get to pass it on to you. :-)

Here you go. I was glad to nominate you!

Erika said...

ABSOLUTELY awesome! I am getting in the skirt making mode and needed something new. Love these!

Anne said...

Awwww... these are awesome!!! I think there's a skirt or two in the near future for my daughter. I posted a link to your tutorial on Craft Gossip Sewing Blog:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-sew-a…atchwork-skirttutorial-sew-a-girls-patchwork-skirt/2009/03/24/
--Anne

Tonya Staab said...

I have been saving all of your wonderful ideas recently. They are absolutely fantastic. Now to find an extra few hours to make my little girl some new things.

Goosie and Boomer Bowtique said...

I love your blog! Thank you for the patterns! I am just beginning to learn to sew and you have made it so much easier!

Tracy said...

these are really darling and it looks like something I could master. thanks!

Anonymous said...

What seam allowance did you use in joining the panels?

Kristin said...

I used a 1/4" seam allowance for my seams. Thanks for the question!

Aubrie said...

These are super cute!

Mom, Mommy, Mama said...

I just stumbled on to your blog today, I love it your ideas are so great! I can't wait for the weekend to come so I can try your skirt pattern! Thanks for sharing all of your great ideas!

angela said...

Oh man those skirts are so cute! Thanks for sharing. I'll get right on it. What a great stash buster!!!

Erika said...

Ok, had to come back to tell you I just finished mine! How easy?! I used my serger for joining the panels and the zigzag for the waistband and the bottom hem, it took me a total of 2 hours! That is with a break to read to my daughter. I will post it on my blog tomorrow with a link back to you. Sizing was perfect! Off to look if you have posted any dress patterns.

2cleverblog.com said...

yep, it is official we love your blog!

Anonymous said...

Cute! I will definitely be using this tutorial!

Kate said...

LOVE,LOVE,LOVE this!!! Thank you so much!

Amber said...

Those are cute! Ill have to try it out for my kids.

Too bad its not still warm here in Oklahoma as we are expecting SNOW!!!

Angela said...

I made this skirt this weekend, a little smaller to fit my baby and I used an old pair of jeans that could not be woren any more... it turned out really cute, I have a picture up on my blog.

Colleen said...

Thank you so much for your tutorial. These are beautiful. I am a beginner at this and have a question...maybe I missed it in your tutorial...

I am assuming that you need to at some point, fold the skirt right sides together and sew up the side to close it up, right? at what point do you do that...after the bias tape, elastic, etc?

Sorry for the silly question. thanks again!

Anonymous said...

Took my daughter to the fabric store to pick out her "scraps" LOL and made this last night for her Easter outfit. It came out so cute and she feels like she contributed. You are so great! Love your ideas!

Kim

Sara said...

I just discovered your blog and LOVE what you do - you are an inspiration! Love the paneled skirts too - I'm going to put together some scraps for a few skirts myself! Thanks for the tutorial.

Judy Roberson said...

Hi, I just love this skirt.what a cute idea.. I have tons of left over scrap fabric [since I make little girl dresses on ebay] and this a great idea... I went straight and made one.I used yellow check, black and white flower print, and black and white polka dot.. I cut me a strip of the yellow check to make the band. I then embroidered a lady bug [under it said, cute as a bug] on the center panel.
This turned out sooooo cute. I have 4 grandaughtes ages 4 -10, I am going to make them all some.. thankyou so much for the wonderful pattern.. God bless.Judy

Emelia said...

Hi there! I love the skirts!
Just wondering does your pattern include seam allowance or should I add it? Thanks

flygirl07 said...

I just made this & it's so cute!!

Nancy said...

Just found your wonderful blog!!! I am new at sewing and want to give this precious skirt a try!! I can't get the pattern to open ... maybe because the listing is several months old??? Would it be possible to have emailed or reposted? Thanks so much for the wonderful inspiration! nmcpherson4@gmail.com