Salsa Skirt - Summer of Skirts

Sorry for my absence; I just moved back to Oregon and was very busy packing and wrapping things up! There is (probably) only 1 more summer of skirts post after this one, as summer is sadly coming to an end.

This skirt is quite similar to the blue ruffle skirt as far as construction goes, but it is simpler and has a very different look to it! I thought it looked like a mix between a pencil skirt and a flamenco skirt, and then I realized it reminded me of a salsa dancing skirt! Hence the name :)

What you need:

- About a yard of knit fabric, depending on your size (see step 1 for details).

I made this skirt have a half lining to it because the knit was so thin. So, I had extra fabric along the inside.

Step 1: Measure around the widest part of your hips. Add 2 to that measurement. This is w. Also, measure how long you want the skirt to be, and how long you want the extra lining material to be - usually just enough to cover your rear is good- and add it to itself. This is L. Next, cut out three strips measuring 2 inches by w.

I'm sorry I didn't get pictures of this part. If you have questions let me know!

Step 2: Mark where your length measurement of the skirt ends (so you should have a mark between the extra lining fabric you added and the actual length you want your skirt to be). Fold the fabric at that point, so you wind up with a fold at the waistband, the normal skirt on one side, and the lining part on the other. Do this on both pieces of fabric, and then pin them together so the lining part is on the OUTSIDE.

Step 3: You might want to curve the top of the skirt, depending on where you want your skirt to sit. I wanted mine to sit on my waist, so I curved it along the hips a bit - with the lining still pinned and the skirt folded (because you'll want the lining curved as well). If you need help with this, go here. Now, simply sew the sides together on your two pieces of fabric, and you'll wind up with your main skirt piece. Now turn the skirt right side out, and you're onto the ruffles!

Step 4: Gather each of the three ruffles. Pin the first one to the bottom of the skirt, so the edge lines up with the bottom of the skirt. Sew it on!

Step 5: Repeat with each of the other ruffles, laying each on top of the previous one so that the seam is covered. I just had my top ruffle's raw edge exposed, but if you don't like that you can do the following:


Sew the top ruffle on about an inch above the second one, put facing the opposite direction. Then, press it down flat over the other ruffles, the way it's supposed to be. This will hide the seam. You may need to do a topstich over the ruffle though, as it may poof out a bit.


Ta da!! Time for salsa dance lessons!
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Summer of Skirts - Pinwheel Skirt Tutorial

How adorable is this skirt? I think it's my favorite skirt tutorial I've featured yet! Leanne from Elle Apparel put together this tutorial for a guest post on Ucreate - learn how to make it here!

Summer of Skirts - The Cupcake Skirt

This skirt didn't turn out quite as planned. I didn't intend for it to be so... cupcake-y. And I guess by that I mean poofy. Part of the reason why the top is so puffy is because I used muslin for the whole thing. If you want to avoid that, get some cotton gauze for the top part or an equivalent fabric. Anyway, here it is - the cupcake skirt!

What you need:

- bleached muslin: I used a yard and half, but it depends on your size.

- unbleached muslin: 1/2 yard

- enough elastic to fit around your waist

Sorry about the horrible pictures; my camera died so I used my roommate's and obviously had no idea what I was doing.

Step 1: Cut out the main skirt piece. For this you'll want to follow the basic skirt tutorial, but you'll want the skirt to be less full and puffy. Also, it helps to contour the skirt a little so it's more a-line (so, make it a little narrower on top). This will keep it from being to puffy on the top around your hips.

Step 2: Now, measure the bottom of your main skirt piece (just one of the pieces). Multiply that by two, and then again by 1.5. Cut out 2 ruffles each from the unbleached muslin and the bleached muslin measuring the above by 2 inches.

Set aside the remainder of your bleached muslin - you will use this for the upper ruffle part of the skirt later.

Step 3: Sew the sides of the main skirt part together. Gather each of the strips you cut out to the width of the skirt, and pin a bleached ruffle on to the bottom of the skirt -about an inch away from the edge of the skirt. Now, sew the ruffle to the skirt.

Step 4: Repeat with each of the ruffles, alternating bleached and unbleached. Make sure you sew each ruffle on low enough so that it covers the seam of the previous ruffle.

Once all 4 ruffles are on, your skirt should look like this:

Step 6: Now for the upper ruffle. Measure the length between the top of the last ruffle you've sewn and the top of your skirt, and add half an inch. Cut out a piece of bleached muslin that measure that by 1.25 times the width of the skirt. You don't want much more than that; otherwise your skirt will be super puffy like mine was. Once again, you might want to cut a bit of an a-line to this piece to help with the puffiness. Sew the sides together and gather the top - it should look like it's own little skirt now.

Step 7: Finally, sew the top ruffle to the skirt! Make sure you pin it well first and check to make sure that it covers the top ruffle seam before you sew it.

Step 8: Sew the skirt onto the elastic. If you haven't done this before, basically you stretch the elastic as you sew it to the fabric. You need to pin it all together first though, so you know how much to stretch each section of elastic.

Ta da, you're done! I wore mine with a belt, because I thought it looked kind of funny otherwise. If anyone has any variations on this skirt that turned out a little better I'd love to see them!

Summer of Skirts - Anthropologie Ruffled Skirt Tutorial

Here it finally is - the anthropologie inspired skirt tutorial! There are two ways to do this. One is to make the whole skirt yourself using a knit fabric, and the other is to take an existing pencil or slim a-line skirt you already have and add the ruffles to it. If you choose to do the latter, simply skip to the ruffle steps below.

What you need:

- About a yard of knit fabric, depending on your size (see step 1 for details). This will be the main fabric - mine was grey.

- Two contrasting fabrics, about 1/4 to 1/8 each.

I made this skirt have a half lining to it because the knit was so thin. So, I had extra fabric along the inside.

Step 1: Measure around the widest part of your hips. Add 2 to that measurement. This is w. Also, measure how long you want the skirt to be, and how long you want the extra lining material to be - usually just enough to cover your rear is good- and add it to itself. This is L. Next, cut out two strips of skirt measuring L by w.

I'm sorry I didn't get pictures of this part. If you have questions let me know!

Step 2: Mark where your length measurement of the skirt ends (so you should have a mark between the extra lining fabric you added and the actual length you want your skirt to be). Fold the fabric at that point, so you wind up with a fold at the waistband, the normal skirt on one side, and the lining part on the other. Do this on both pieces of fabric, and then pin them together so the lining part is on the OUTSIDE.

Step 3: You might want to curve the top of the skirt, depending on where you want your skirt to sit. I wanted mine to sit on my waist, so I curved it along the hips a bit - with the lining still pinned and the skirt folded (because you'll want the lining curved as well). If you need help with this, go here. Now, simply sew the sides together on your two pieces of fabric, and you'll wind up with your main skirt piece. Now turn the skirt right side out, and you're onto the ruffles!

Step 4: Cut contrasting fabric number 1 into strips that are 1.5 times as long as the skirt is around (you may need to sew multiple strips together). Gather this strip, pin, and sew along the bottom of the skirt along the right side. Don't worry, the raw edges will be hidden by the next ruffle.

Step 5: Cut a strip of contrasting fabric #2 so that it is the same length as the skirt width (all around). Gather it, then pin it starting about 1/3 of the way away from the side seam. Pin it all around the skirt, stopping about the same distance from the seam on the back side. Sew it in place.

Step 7: Now cut a strip 1.5 times the skirt (I'm just going to call the measurement around the skirt 'the skirt' now... ) of the original skirt material. Pin it onto the skirt, slanting it up over the contrast ruffle you just did, like shown in the picture below. You want to make sure it still covers all of the seams of the lower ruffle but slopes up subtly. Sew it on!

Step 7: Next is another partway ruffle! Ruffle a strip of contrast #1 that is about the same length as 'the skirt', and sew it on starting a little closer to the side seam than the white ruffle was. Once again, slope it up so it follows the line of the previous ruffle.

Step 8: Here is your final ruffle! Get another strip of the original skirt fabric that is 1.5 times the 'skirt length' and ruffle and sew it around. However, this time you will pin it facing UP, as shown in the horrible blurry picture below. Make sure you pin it quite close to the previous ruffle, as it will fold over (to hide the seam) and lose some of it's height.

Now, just flip the top ruffle down and iron. Ta da!

Summer of Skirts - Anthropologie ruffle pencil skirt tutorial!

Eeek, I'm late. So sorry!

As I said before, no original summer of skirts post this week, but only because I have some AMAZING ones coming up and am just waiting for some equally amazing pictures! I'm still giving you guys a tutorial though - and an awesome one at that.


Check out Communing with Fabric's anthropologie skirt tutorial!

When I saw this tutorial, I knew I had to share it with you guys- I thought it was an impressive undertaking, and turns out well! I am so bad at pattern drafting - I cut first and think later. So it's good for me to have some master pattern-drafters featured here, I think :)


Next weekend, check back for a tutorial for this beautiful thing:


And if I do say so myself, my version turned out pretty wonderfully. And it was very easy!!

Summer of Skirts - Men's Dress Shirt Refashion Tutorial

I've been noticing that there are a lot of skirts right now that look like they were made from button down shirts, and it gave me an idea. I had a skirt from my grandpa that was a really nice light cotton, and I thought it'd be perfect for a skirt! Here's some of the pictures that inspired me - and might give you some ideas!

I decided to keep my buttons in the back though - although the skirt could pretty much go either way! There was a placket that went over the buttons on this shirt, so the buttons wouldn't be exposed anyway. This tutorial is going to be really simple, because it is pretty much the same thing as the red bow skirt.

What you need:

- A men's dress shirt (or a woman's - it depends on how big or how long you want your skirt to be)

-Interfacing for the waistband

Step one: Cut the collar and sleeves off of the shirt. Decide how long you want your skirt to be, and trim the shirt down from the top (so you can keep the hem on the bottom of the shirt). Trim the sides so they smoothly go up to the top in one line.

Step Two: Follow steps here to complete the rest of the skirt, but omit the zipper.

There are three options for this skirt: Have the tie and buttons in the back, like I did, have the tie and buttons in front, or have the buttons in front and the tie in back. If you do this last option, you'll need to add a zipper - the buttons are what allow you to put the skirt on and off without a zipper!

So go hit the thrift store and find some awesome men's shirts, and if you make one I'd love it if you send me the picture or link! If I get pictures I'll post them with a link back to you :)

Also - my camera died and I lost the charger, so I'm borrowing my roommates camera which I obviously don't know how to use... I don't know why my background is in focus and I'm not! So sorry about the blown out pictures.

Summer of Skirts - Pencil Skirt

Since I'm cheating this time, I thought I'd cheat twice so we can have something for the grown ups too. I was going to do a pencil skirt tutorial, but then I saw this amazing one through sewing.craftgossip.com. By the way, if you've never been there, you're missing out big time.

Anyway, here's the awesome tutorial on drafting a pencil skirt pattern!

Summer of Skirts - Ruffled Skirt Tutorial for little girls!

I'm cheating this week. I won't be posting my own tutorial this week, but will instead be featuring someone else's. I'm doing this for 3 reasons: 1. My skirt for this week flopped (bummer...), 2. I have no kids and therefore no projects for them, but I know that those of you with kids are probably interested in making something for your little girls, and 3. This skirt is adorable. Seriously, it makes me want to procreate immediately.

So, head on over to Grand Revival by Tanya Whelan and make one of these unbelievably cute skirts.

Also, give me feedback - do you guys want to see more child - sized stuff? Because I have seen a ton of really, really adorable tutorials for little girls lately that I would be more than happy to share with you! Just say the word and they're yours :)

The Red Bow Skirt Giveaway!!! - CLOSED

Who'se ready for another giveaway? I must admit, when I first completed this skirt I wasn't so very fond of it. It's grown on me though; I love it for it's bright cherry redness, it's cuteness, and oh my - it's comfort. Most skirts that you wear on your waistline seem uncomfortable to me- too tight in an area that wants no tightness. This skirt is great because it has the wonderful tie - it makes all the difference!

We took pictures of this skirt the morning after a friend of mine's wedding. It was held in the most beautiful location; I knew we had to go back to that area for some pictures. It was my first time being a bridesmaid, and it was such a beautiful wedding with a sunset reception!

I'd like to make a little shout out to my wonderful photographer. You can definitely tell when I take the pictures and he does. Frankly, I suck and he's pretty much awesome. Unfortunately, for the rest of the summer you're stuck with me and my photography. Long distance...sigh....

Anyway, to my photographer: Thank you, and I love you.

Now, for the rules. Read carefully!

You can enter 1, 2, or 3 times.

For 1 entry: Leave a comment and follow my blog!

For 2 entries: Leave a comment, follow the blog, and link back from your blog!

For 3 entries: Do all of the above, and make a guess as to where I'm living this summer! Here's your hint:

Summer of Skirts - Waistband Bow Skirt tutorial

Here it is - finally! A swingy red skirt just in time for the 4th of July. Sorry it took so long to get this tutorial up - moving and internet problems delayed me. As always, if you have any questions at all or if I didn't explain things well enough, leave a comment and I should get back to you within the day. Or, send me an email!

Oh, yeah, and I almost forgot - I'll be giving this skirt away to celebrate my 100 followers. Yay!

What you need:
- The measurement of around your waist where you want the skirt to sit. We'll call this number w.
- 1 1/2 yards of fabric (less if you want a less poofy skirt)
- 9 inch zipper in the same color as your fabric
- A piece of interfacing measuring 2" by w


Step 1: Cut your fabric.
First, for the waistband and tie: Decide how long you want your ties to be (I made mine the same as my waist measurement for simplicity). Then, multiply that number by two - one for each tie- and add it to w. The result is your waistband length, l. You need one strip of your fabric measuring l wide by 3 inches tall. Cut these out (you'll probably need to sew multiple strips together to make this work). MAKE SURE that when you cut these out you cut along the SHORT end of the fabric- the one that measures either 45 or 60 inches, not the selvage edge. Otherwise, you are cutting away your skirt's length.

For the skirt, we're going to be using the same pieces that we did for the elastic A-Line skirt, so cut your main skirt panels out following steps 1-6. I wanted my skirt a little puffier, so I actually cut another diagonal (hence buying 1 1/2 yards instead of 1 yard) and wound up with 6 panels instead of 4. You can pretty much just use how every much fabric is left over from the ties and get a skirt similar to mine. Sew each of the panels together, so you wind up with one big skirt panel (leave the two ends apart though!).

Here are the pieces (including the interfacing, not including the sleeping dog) you should have:



Step 2: If you had to sew your strips to get ones of the correct length, make sure you press your seams flat. Then, fold your strip in half lengthwise, with the WRONG sides facing out. It's hard to tell in the pictures, but that's what you want. Iron the strip like this.


Step 3: Next, open the folded strip, wrong side facing you. Find the middle of the tie and the middle of the interfacing, then line them up. Line up the edge of the interfacing with the edge of the strip and the fold. Iron the interfacing down.

Step 4: Refold the strip, so that the wrong edges are on the outside. Now, starting at one end of the strip, sew the edges together until you get to the interfacing. Stop there, and repeat on the other side. You should have the waistband with the interfacing ironed in in the middle of the strip, and then two ties sew shut on either side. Turn the strip right side out.



Step 5: Now that the ties are right side out, fold the waistband edges up INSIDE the waistband along the seam. Do this one at a time - it is easier! Here's a picture of it done partway:


And all the way:


Step 6: Here's the part I didn't document - putting the zipper in! Zippers can be complicated and intimidating, but if you follow the instructions that come with the zipper you should be able to put it in with no problem! After you put the zipper in, leave it unzipped for this next step.


Step 7: Gather the skirt, and pin each end to the place inside the waistband where the interfacing ends. Note that the waistband should be like a little 'pocket', with one side open. The gathered skirt will be pinned INSIDE this little 'pocket', so no raw edges will be showing.



Step 8: Fold the ends of the ties in so the raw edges don't show, then press. Stitch all around the ties, stopping once again at the waistband.

Step 9: Sew the skirt into the waistband where you've pinned. You'll want to make sure you're sewing low enough so that your stitches catch the fold on the waistband (so the waistband raw edges are firmly stitched under). Since you won't be able to see both sides of the waistband as you sew, be careful you don't run off one of the edges!

Now you're all done! You should have a zippered skirt with a waistband that merges right into the tie. Zip it up, tie a pretty bow, and you're ready to go!