20 Minute Midi Skirt

It seems it's the summer of skirts here in my neck of the woods. Hope you haven't tired of them yet, because I just can't get enough of them.  : )


Here's a very quick and easy skirt that will be finished in no time; I promise!  It is made from a oh so comfy knit hounds tooth fabric I had on hand (love when I find treasures in my stash). The knit fabric makes this skirt as comfy as my favorite sweats. Love, love, love.


Don't hesitate to change the length of the skirt to fit your style. Go short, midi, or go maxi length, you just can't go wrong. 

Close up of the folded over waistband:

Here's what you will need:

• About 1- 1 1/2 yards of knit fabric. 
• A high waisted skirt that fits you well (preferably knit but not necessary)
• Scissors
• Fabric marker
• Pins
• Sewing machine and thread

Step 1:
Take a skirt that fits you well and place on top of your folded fabric.  Trace around the skirt, adding 1/2 an inch of seam allowances on both sides.  I wanted my skirt to be much longer than the gray skirt I was using as a pattern, so I cut the skirt pieces about 10 inches longer than my gray skirt.  

Step 2:
Next let's cut out the waistband.  Measure your waist.  Add 1 inch to that measurement. This will the be length of your waistband.  
Cut out a rectangle that is the following dimension:
 your waist measurement + 1 inch by 10 inches 

Step 3:

Check to make sure that the waistband (when folded in half) and the top of the skirt pieces are about the same width.  If not, alter the skirt pieces by tapering it to fit the waistband. 

Step 4:

 With rights sides together, sew the two side seams of your skirt pieces together.  To give it a nice clean finish you can serge or overlock the seams. 

Try it on to check the fit. If you need to the take the skirt in or let it out, do so now. 

Step 5:

Fold the waistband in half width wise.  With right sides together, sew along the dotted line below using 1/2 an inch seam allowance.

You should now have a circular waistband.

Try the waistband on to check for fit. 

 Step 6:
Check that the top of your skirt piece and your waistband are again about the same width. 

Step 7:

Fold the waistband in half, length wise, and pin to the the skirt; all raw edges should line up at the top. 

Step 8:
Sew the waistband to the skirt using a 1 inch seam allowance.


After you sew the waistband on, serge, overlock, or zigzag the raw edges to give it a nice clean finish.  

Step 9:
Fold the waistband up and press in place.

Step 10:
Hem the bottom of your skirt.

You're done!!

Gathered Skirt with Waistband, Exposed Zipper, and Pockets; Oh My!

This is my official go to summer skirt this season.  

I love the simple high waistband coupled with the curved opening pockets and a partially exposed brass zipper.  I just love it.  Pair it with a tee and some flats for the day or some pumps and a fitted blouse for a dressier ensemble.  Either way, you can't go wrong. 

Want to make your own?

See my little lovie peeking out the window on the right?

Exposed zipper.. here we come!

In this tutorial, I'll show you how to sew a basic high waisted, full skirt with a partially exposed zipper.  For my skirt, I added a pocket.  If you choose to add a pocket to your skirt, I've provided links showing you how to do that.  If you don't want to add pockets, you're skirt will be done in no time. : ) 

 PS. Don't be intimidated by the length of the tutorial or the fact there is a zipper, if I can do, you can too.. promise! ; ) ) 

Here's what you will need:

• 1.5 yards of main fabric (striped fabric above)
• 1.25 yards of lining fabric (probably only need 1 yard if not doing pockets)
• 1 zipper (I used a 9 inch jeans zipper I bought at Joanne's)
• Small piece  of coordinating tightly woven fabric to stabilize your zipper.  (This should be 3 inches wide by 3 inches longer than the length of your zipper) 
• Interfacing (enough to cover your waistband plus a bit more for the zipper)
• Fabric Marker
• Pins
• Scissors
• Sewing Machine
• Iron
• Thread

Click below to see the full tutorial.

Boho Skirt, Grown Up Version.

I finished it!  

I made the Boho skirt para mi..  : )

And I just love it! I haven't sewn many things for myself but that is going to change really soon. I can't believe how quick and easy this was, and using only a yard of fabric (that was on sale) this skirt cost me less than $7. Can't beat it, yeah?  It's casual enough to wear with a tee and skinny belt; or with a little dressing it up, it'll be ready for a hot date night with the hubs. : )

To make it, I followed my  Boho Skirt Tutorial.  I added a lining and sewed some darts in the back to make it more polished.  Tutorial on adding a lining to your Boho Skirt coming soon! Even with the darts and lining, this skirt took me less than an hour and a half from start to finish. Score.

So in 1.5 hours (or less) you can have a new summer skirt like the one below (pasty white legs or children not included).: )

 What are you waiting for, get to sewing!

Loves,
Amber

The Boho Skirt with Tutorial! {Quick and Easy Elastic Waist Skirt Tutorial}

I adore everything about this skirt, the fabric, the ruched waist, and especially how easy it is to make. My only complaint is that my little one refuses to wear it everyday. Darn kids! : ) In fact I love it so much that, I will be making one for myself.

Want to make one for yourself or your little one?
Grab some fabric and some wide elastic, and let's get sewing! You'll have a new skirt in no time. Promise.

(The glasses were all her idea!)

Click below to expand the entire tutorial!

This is Why I Sew.

As mentioned before in this post, I am choosy with my craft projects. With three active little ones, I don't have the time or energy to sew a play shirt (or anything else) that I can buy for $3 on the Old Navy clearance rack. Know what I mean? : )

I have a love affair with designer kids clothes but I just can't bring myself to spend $$ on something my kids will outgrown in 6 months.

So instead I choose to sew.

While searching through my favorite department store, Nordstrom I came across this lovely little number.

It's the Marie-Chantel Rah Rah Skirt. And it's $110. (gulp!)

About a year ago, I sewed this exact same skirt for my little one. Navy gingham included.

I love how the feminine ruffles contrast with the more masculine gingham fabric.

 And the best part, my version cost $2.

Saving me $108.

Not too shabby.

That is exactly why I sew.

Beautiful clothes for way the heck less.

Makes me ever so happy.  : )

So the question is, why do you sew?

Ps. There are tons of tutorials on sewing ruffled skirts online so I opted to not rehash what's already out there, but if you would like a tutorial on making the above skirt, let me know. I'll see what I can work up. : )

Loves,

Amber