Friday, March 5, 2010

Easy Patchwork Skirt Tutorial

I had some extra charm pack squares by heather bailey that I didn't know what to do with, so I turned them into this adorable skirt!  I took pics along the way so follow along! 

You would have to modify this a lot for a bigger girl, I used 12  6 inch squares- so just lay out your squares and guesstimate for how big your girl is.

I also used an 1/8 yard for the hem.
And elastic for the waist 
Start out by arranging the squares how you want, careful not to place the same ones next to eachother.  Then sew the top row together, right sides together, you should have one row of 6 squares.

Front view of strip
Now do the same to the other strip of 6

Sew top strip to bottom strip (just like you would join a strip quilt together), then press.  I always press, it makes for a much more proffessional looking garment. 


Next cut your 1/8 yard strip so it is straight on the edges, and then iron about 1/4 inch in on either side,
Then iron in half, it should look like this when ironed.

Open the strip and Sew the strip like above to the bottom of your squares.  (I'm not sure how to describe it but the pic shows pretty clearly how I did it)
Fold hem strip up and sew onto skirt again, being extra careful as this is the stitching that will show. (Note: this is just like sewing binding on a quilt, at least how I've done it)



Fold skirt in half, right sides together and join, forming a skirt!
 Double fold waist down and iron, creating a waistband for your elastic.  Thread elastic through careful not to twist.
Sew ends together very well and then sew hole shut.
It's hard to see in this picture, but to keep my elastic from sliding around, I sew about 5 or 6 straight vertical lines around my waist. This isn't necessary, but I find it makes for a straighter waistband.  And it's less likely to fall apart. 
As you sew these lines, make sure your gathers are evenly spaced between the spaces. Does that make sense?  Otherwise you will have it really gathered in one 1/5 of the skirt and straight around the rest.

And there you have it!  You can really do whatever you want with the hem, ribbon would be cute, but I only had 12 squares, and without the thicker hem it would've been too short.  I LOVE it!  Heather Bailey fabric just makes me happy, this is Pop Garden, Sugar Mallow.  I think I may do one of the girls rooms in this fabric theme.

And, as for my model... again... the best we could do.  Grrr.  I am so frustrated with taking her picture!  I sure wish she would let me!  This one's a little close
Hahahaha! I had to put this one on here, it made me laugh! At least she was smiling! Little stink!

And third time is supposed to be the charm, but not it our case.  We get a nice back view of the skirt!  :-)

And finally...
A somewhat decent picture.  It may not be studio quality, but at least she's not crying, picking her nose, or hiding!
I love this little girl!

Hope you enjoy the tutorial!  I'd love to see what you make if you use this tutorial at all!  Or feel free to email me if you need clarification on my scatterbrained tutorial!

Oh and check out my giveaway later tonight!
And, the new flower clips in my shop here...

makingtheworldcuter.blogspot.com
itssoverycheri.com


20 comments:

  1. Adorable little girl and a very cute skirt. :)

    Stopping by from the "Friday Follower" and am now following you as well. :)

    Have a great weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I am now following you from FF & have a great Friday..I use to love to sew & the skirt is awesome..
    http://tatumsreviews.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am joining FF, and follow you!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow That is an amazing skill, I wish I could sew its a really great skirt, Happy Follow Friday :) Organic Girl and Todays Diva!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Happy Friday Follow

    Following From...

    http://bizzimommi.blogspot.com

    Hope You'll Stop By

    ReplyDelete
  6. Very cute! I love sewing patchwork things!


    Stopping by from FF....a new follower and loving your blog! Would be great to have a visit from you!
    mommysblessings.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. So cute!! I so want to make this. I also have a little girl (age 3) who won't let me take her picture. I have to sneak any good ones in. My sweet SIL was able to get a good one recently, so I guess it's special just for mom. Off to see what fabric I have for a cute skirt.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Such a cute skirt!! I think I may have to try this!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. That is super cute, I wish that I could sew!

    ReplyDelete
  10. So soft and sweet!! I'll definitely have to make one soon!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love the pics...I have the same thing at my house. The skirt turned out really cute. Thanks for sharing with Made it Monday! Jules

    ReplyDelete
  12. Very cute! My little models just never cooperate for me either!

    ReplyDelete
  13. What a great idea! I was recently given a charm pack and was wondering what to make with it. Now I know and my two little girls will be so pleased. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  14. So cute! I love all your stuff, I've been keeping tabs on your etsy shop and such. If I had kids I would probably be making purchases :). Wanna be blog friends?

    ReplyDelete
  15. What a cute skirt! I want one for ME. Darling!

    Thanks so much for linking up to my party! I really appreciate it!

    XOXO
    Jen

    ReplyDelete
  16. Veru cute! Your model did great job too! :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. This is the most simple tutorial i have found. I am pinning it now and making it soon. I will show it to you then. Thanks a ton.
    ~hurley

    ReplyDelete

I love comments!