Now, let me start by saying this: I don't think I have vast knowledge, mad skillz, or uber-creative ideas that just simply must be shared with the world to make it a better place. But sometimes I luck out and stumble upon something that doesn't stink...so this is one of those times.
This skirt has only 3--yes, THREEEEE--lines of stitching! It's so quick to make, even for beginners (my sewing skills lie somewhere in between beginner and intermediate)!
So let's get started.
You'll need fabric and thread (thanks captain obvs), elastic, and all the usual sewing accouterments. Gotta love needlessly fancy words.
I used a silky lightweight material that's a little crinkly, and though it turned out super cute, I think the "bubble" effect would come through better with a cottony material...although, this is so easy, just experiment with whatever your heart desires!
Measurements couldn't be easier. It's just one big rectangle of fabric to start with. Measure your little gal's waist, double it, and add a few inches...that's your width. Then figure out about how long you want it, and double that and add about an inch, and that's your length. My rectangles were 48" by 26" for my girls who are 6 and almost 4. Yes, I just made them the same size so they can just grab whichever one they find and put it on. ;)
So fold your material in half right side in, so you have a long skinny (even skinnier than when we started) rectangle, pin, and sew with a fairly narrow seam allowance.
Then trim the seam and turn it right side out.
You should have this.
Now we'll make the casing for the elastic. Stitch down the long side of your rectangle/tube, right along the seam we just made, leaving room for the elastic (like 1/2 an inch or so).
Now measure your elastic. For my girls' waists, that are each about 22", I used 18" of elastic.
Grab a big safety pin and pin it to your elastic, or get some of these fancy jobbies at Wal-Mart for 2 bucks:
tip though, if you use the jobbies (technical term, I'll have you know), tie the elastic after you thread it through. It will save you a woopsie-daisy. Also, if you cut your elastic before threading it through, for the love of Pete, wrap the end around your finger so you don't lose it.
When you have it threaded through, join the ends. You can sew them, but I am very fancy, so I tie them and trim the ends off.
Then spread out the fabric nicely along the elastic until the unfinished ends meet. Turn the skirt inside out (which really doesn't exist with this skirt, so just pick a side to be the inside), and pin the sides together.
Sew. Mind you, this is our third and final stitch!! Oh, and you might have to sew through the elastic a little bit, which is fine. Then trim the seam, turn right side out, and you're done!!
I might add a fabric flower or a cute button or something to mine since they are so plain, but let's be honest...probably not.
Here's to creating with the mind and hands he blessed us with!
Tiff
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