Just made that way...: A Skirt for Sparkles + tutorial

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

A Skirt for Sparkles + tutorial

My sweet girly girly sparkles found this skirt at target on a recent shopping trip.

she was so pleased with her find that she was jumping up and down with excitement. unfortunately mummy wasn't willing to pay the $22 price tag, knowing she could make it herself for a lot less.

So that's what I did...

This is my version! Total cost about $8.

Made from memory, as I only really glanced at the
targets version. I went back to later, especially to get a photo
to show everyone my inspiration.

Here's the tutorial
Please note measurement are made to fit my 5 year old daughter.

You will need basic ingredients; fabric for main skirt, voile or similar for underskirt, Tape measure, scissors, cotton, shirring elastic and a sewing machine of course.
In this tutorial I also use an overlocker/serger which is useful, but not essential

I cut a 12cm ( 5") yoke, 2 x 25 cm (10") pieces for main skirt and a 22cm (8.5") under skirt. All pieces are cut to the width of the fabric (112cm/ 44")

Overlock/serge (or zig zag stitch) the upper edge of yoke, then measure and iron a 1.5cm (5/8" ) hem (don't sew yet).

Then pin, right sides together the underskirt to the yoke, sew (overlock/serge) and iron seam toward underskirt.

Next pin with right sides together one side seam of the main skirt , sew a 1.5cm (5/8")seam and iron the seam open.

then stitch a rolled hem with my overlocker/serger (sewing a small hem by turning under 5mm (1/4") twice would work too) the upper edge of main skirt.

Next, sew two rows of gathering stitch along the top of the main skirt piece.

Then pin matching centre and sides of main skirt to the yoke,

centering the lines of gathering over the yoke to
underskirt seam, (creating a ruffle).

then pulled up the threads to fit the yoke, leaving about 1.5cm (5/8") at edge free from gathers for the
seam allowance (making it easier to sew side seams later).

Once your happy with your gathering, stitch in place.

Now sew ten rows of shirring along the width of the yoke, with the first row 1cm (1/2") from edge stitching down the hem you ironed earlier. Lining up the presser foot with the last row stitched

We're almost finished! Pin with right sides together the side seam. Matching upper edges of the yoke, the shirring, etc and sew a 1.5cm ( 5/8") seam, keeping the underskirt clear (you'll sew this next) now overlock/serge (or zig zag) edges and iron the seam open.
Next sew or overlock/serge underskirt side seam together.
Separating the main skirt and underskirt side seams, makes hemming the skirt easier.

Now overlocking/sergeing the raw edge (turning under 5mm (1/4") will work too), then measure, iron and sew a 1.5cm (5/8") hem on the bottom edge of the main skirt. And stitch a rolled hem on the underskirt with the overlocker/serger.

I will swap this photo with a photo of sparkles wearing her skirt soon.

All finished.

Oh! And don't forget to remove your gathering stitches.

Sparkle's loves her new skirt and told me its better than the Target skirt.

Please let me know what you think, I would love some feedback.
If you have any questions or would like measurements to make other sizes, please ask. I'm happy to help.

**Disclaimer: For personal use ONLY. Please do not use this tutorial for monetary gain. If you would like to share this on you blog, please link back to this post and/or give proper credit where credit is due! Thank you!**

Happy sewing