Let me show you how easy it is to sew 5 little girls’ skirts in one evening, using fat quarter bundles. (You are welcome to purchase yardage to make these skirts) When you implement an assembly line and use my sewing hacks, you will zoom right through this sewing project. The clock will stop after the faux pleats have been ironed into the skirts. Washing & drying of the fabric will not be timed.
(NOTE: Pattern instruction are for newborn thru 24 mo. when making the fabric bow or sash. If you choose not to make the bow or sash, you can make these skirts up to a 5 toddler using fat quarters)
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SUPPLIES TO SEW SKIRTS:
2 Fat quarter bundles. I used Flannel Fat Quarter Bundles found at Wal Mart (BD Patchwork – RTC Fabrics)
Scissors
Sewing Machine and all of the essentials to sew.
All Purpose sewing thread to match the skirt you are making.
Straight pins (optional)
Elastic -1/2″- 3/4″ wide (newborn thru 9 month) in length needed for skirt, chart is below.
Elastic – 3/4″- 1″ wide (12 month thru 5t) elastic in length needed for skirt, chart is below.
2 large safety pins (Pins will be used to work elastic through the casing)
Ruler
Marking Pencil or Rotary Cutter, Mat and Clear Ruler.
ELASTIC CHART FOR LITTLE GIRLS SKIRTS:
(1/2″- 3/4″ elastic)
Newborn: 14.5″
3-6 month: 14.75″
6 month: 15″
9 month: 15.25″
(3/4″- 1″ elastic)
12 month: 15.5″
18 – 24 month: 16″
2t-3t: 17″
4t-5t: 18″
STEP 1: (15 min) Watch video @ .40
Untie both bundles and open fabric. You will have 10-18″ x 21″ rectangles. You will need two matching 18″ x 21″ rectangles to make one skirt.
Execute a zig zag or serge around the entire edge of all 10 pieces of fabric, using a chain sewing method. Then wash and dry the fabric. Flannel shrinks and you will need to preshrink this fabric.
STEP 2: (10 min)
After the fabric is washed and dried, match the prints together. You will have 5 matches.
Place them right sides facing each other. Using the chain sewing method, sew the skirt pieces along the 18″ side of each pair or match with a strait stitch using a 3/8″ seam.
Finish that edge of that seam with a zig zag stitch or serge. Iron the edge to one side. You now have 5 rectangular skirt pieces.
STEP 3: (15 min)
Using the chart below cut the skirt pieces to the length and width needed.
If adding the sash ties with a bow knot, cut 2 – 2” strips.
If adding the fluffier bow at the center waist, cut 1 – 4” strip. (NOTE: If using fat quarters, you will only have enough fabric to make newborn thru 24 mo. You are welcome to use yardage instead of fat quarters)
FABRIC CUTTING & SIZE CHART TO SEW SKIRTS, USING FAT QUARTER BUNDLES.
Newborn: 8.5″ x 37″
3-6 month: 9.5″ x 38″
6-9 month: 10.5″ x 40″
12 month: 11.5″ x 41.5″
18-24 month: 12.75″ x 41.5″
2t-3t: 14″ x 41.5″
4t-5t: 16″ x 41.5″
STEP 4: (11 min) Watch video @ 5.40
Finish the long edge’s (37″, 38″, 40″ or 41.5″ sides”) with a zigzag stitch or serge, using the chain sewing method.
STEP 5: (10 min)
Paying close attention to the direction of the print on each skirt piece you are sewing, iron “down” a 1.25” casing for newborn thru 9 month, and 1.5″ casing for 12 month thru 5t. (the casing houses the elastic)
Next iron “up” the hem, 1.5″ for newborn thru 9 month & 1.75″ – 2″ for 12 month thru 4t-5t. (Measurements don’t have to be exact for the hem, just in the range of 1.75″ – 2″)
Ironing the casing and hem is a preparatory step. It is always easier to iron a casing and hem when the piece of garment you are working with is flat, and not in the round.
STEP 6: (10 min)
Open the ironed edges at the edges only, and place the right sides together, matching the two unsewn short edges.
Sew them together using a strait stitch and 3/8″ seam, while continuing to use the chain sewing method. Finish the edge with a zig zag or serge. Iron the edge to one side, at the same time ironing the casing and hem back into place.
STEP 7: (11 min) Watch Video @ 10.20
Using a strait stitch (top stitch length) sew the casing closed, leaving a 2″ opening to allow room to run the elastic through.
Next, top stitch completely around the casing at the very top, right on the fold.
STEP 8: (13 min)
Top stitch the hem in place, running that stitch ½” below the zig zag or serged edge.
Top stitch a second time 3/8″ above the first round of top stitching.
STEP 9: (30 min) Watch Christmas Skirts Video @ 14.47
Place a large safety pin at both ends of the elastic. Start feeding the elastic through the casing, using the 2″ opening. (Pic 1)
Snip the sharp corners off the elastic on the end you are pushing through the casing. (Pic 2)
USE THE SAFETY PIN TO HELP YOU PUSH THE ELASTIC THROUGH THE CASING. (PIC 3)
The opposite end of the elastic will start getting short, pin the elastic to the top of the casing, using the safety pin. This will keep the end of the elastic from accidentally being pulled into the casing. (Pic 4)
STEP 10:
NOW THE ELASTIC IS COMPLETELY THROUGH THE CASING. (PIC1)
Release the end that is pinned to the casing and bring both ends together. (Pic 2)
Overlap the ends approx. 1/2″, (Pic 3)
Sew the elastic ends together, using a wide zig zag with a short stitch length. I go backward and forward 2 times using this method. (Pic 4)
STEP 11:
FINISH PUTTING THE ELASTIC INTO THE CASING, THEN SEW THE 2″ HOLE CLOSED, USING A TOP STITCH.
You are almost finished! I told you it was quick! It will get quicker each time you sew skirts! You will soon be able to make these cute skirts blindfolded.
Start stretching the elastic while distributing the fabric around evenly around the elastic. The two seams should be balanced and opposite each other.
STEP 12: (20 min) Watch Christmas Skirts Video @ 21.43
LAST STEP! WITH A HOT IRON THAT HAS THE STEAM ON FULL BLAST, IRON THE FINISHED SKIRT.
It’s easy iron faux pleats into these sweet skirts. I accomplish this when the waistband is toward me and the hem is pointing away from me. Grab the waistband and pull the hem in the opposite direction.
Folds and pleats will start appearing since the skirt is so full. Fuss with the folds and pleats making them nice and neat, hand pressing them into place. I execute this step the whole width of the skirt.
After you are finished with this step it should look like a rectangle and the pleats should be neat and strait up and down.
Carefully turn the skirt over to check the back to make sure the pleats are neat and strait. There should be no flare to the sides of the skirt. Turn the skirt back to the front.
PRESS THE SKIRT WITH THE IRON, STEAMING THE DICKENS OUT OF IT TO SET THOSE FAUX PLEATS IN PLACE. TURN THE SKIRT OVER AND IRON THE BACK IN THE SAME MANNER. YOU ARE FINISHED!
TOTAL TIME: 1 hr. 45 min, without stopping. Realistic time, 2 hrs. 30 minutes.
I hope you have enjoyed your visit sewing with me on “My Side of The Mountain”. You will find crochet patterns for matching crocheted sweaters on my blog, Krissy’s Over The Mountain Crochet, Etsy and Ravelry. I hope you will come see me on my side of the mountain soon.
Kris
Blog
https://krissysoverthemountaincrochet.com/
Etsy
https://www.etsy.com/shop/PatternsByKrissy
Ravelry
https://www.ravelry.com/designers/kris-moore