Did you ever have a piece of fabric you loved but didn't have any idea how to use it? Any leftovers from a previous project? Bought too much of a bolt you just had to have but never found a use for? If you're anything like me you either buy too much or too little.First thing's first, DON'T GO OUT AND BUY A SKIRT PATTERN. Most of them are just rectangles! You don't need them! This is a great way to use those scrap pieces without investing too much of your time! What's more, if you use a coupon when buying your fabric you could make each skirt for somewhere around $5 or less depending on how much you spend per yard. Only one yard is needed.
The tutorial will teach you how to make each of these skirts which are included in the giveaway as well.
I'm all about sewing the quick and dirty way! Fast is key. I have such a low attention span, if a project takes more than a couple hours I'm far more likely to abandon it. This little project will add to your wardrobe but only take 20 minutes or less....no lie....I promise!
The key is to have all your materials in front of you before you begin. Searching for items around the house is so time consuming AND frustrating! Having everything at hand makes a project seem twice as simple.
For this project you will need in front of you a: threaded sewing machine, scissors, safety pin, elastic and of course fabric (about 3/4 to one yard). And I like to include a seam ripper because I always seem to need this at some point in any given project.
Once you have all those things you can begin. The best part about this tutorial is that there is no measuring tape involved which really cuts down on time! To really make this go by fast I used one yard that I purchased at the fabric store (typically 45" wide). As with most cotton fabrics the sides are sealed so that they do not fray. This is key because you will not have to hem the bottom of the skirt when done.
First take your material and fold it in half so that the two sealed sides meet.
Second. Cut down the middle. Be sure to keep both pieces completely equal because when you sew them together later they will have to match up evenly.
Third. Sew the two pieces right sides together at one end so that you have one long (not wide) piece.
Fourth. Now to sew a casing. To do this all you have to do is fold over the top raw edge (not the sealed bottom) about 1". Sew along the top and be sure to make the casing as large or as small as your elastic. A casing too small will make the elastic roll and a casing too large with bunch up your fabric when the elastic is relaxed.
In my photo I sealed the raw edge with my serger. You don't have to do this but if you have a serger it will help to keep from fraying.
Fifth. Now measure the elastic by wrapping it around your waist. BE SURE TO DO IT UNDER YOUR CLOTHING. I am doing it over mine because I was wearing a dress and didn't want to show everyone my undies:) Subtract about 2-3 inches from the amount you used to wrap around your waist and cut the elastic.
Six. Now to thread it through the casing you just made. If you have one of those plastic casing tools then by all means use that but if you don't (or can't find yours like me) attach a safety pin to one end of the elastic.
Seven. Push the safety pin through the casing easing it down the tunnel by bunching the fabric then moving it down the elastic. When the end of the elastic reaches the hole where you started to thread the elastic attach a safety pin to keep the elastic from pulling through the casing any further.
Eight. When the end of elastic meets the end of the casing be sure to stitch the ends of the casing and elastic so that it won't be pulled through the tunnel. Do this on both ends.
Nine. Finally sew sides together with right sides facing each other. Since you didn't trim the fabric at the bottom you won't need to sew a hem at the bottom unless you want to. Normally a 45" fabric will be long enough to fall at your knees when you cut it in half.
Turn right side out.
AND YOU'RE DONE! New skirt.
Optional. I made another skirt and added a red peaking pettiskirt by simply sewing the red material under the hem I made in step four. But you can also add it at the beginning and fold it over with the hem. If you want it to peak out at the bottom you will have to trim your top layer so that it is shorter than your bottom layer. The top layer will then have to be hemmed so that you don't have a raw edge. This might add an extra 5-7 minutes to the project.
And if any of you were interested the dress I'm wearing is from Forever 21 and it was only $13.80!!!!
Since these skirts are elastic I would say they would fit a size 2-8.
As usual, if you would like a chance to win these skirts just link back to this post. If you have any questions see the "questions and answers" link to the right. If you use blogger just use the "create a link" link at the bottom of this post. If you don't use blogger, that's fine too. Just create a link on your page as you normally would and I will see it using Technorati.
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Post Title
→20 Minute Simple Skirt Tutorial AND GIVEAWAY!!!! CLOSED.
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→http://bizzybbakes.blogspot.com/2009/06/did-you-ever-have-piece-of-fabric-you.html
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