Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Party Ruffle Skirt Tutorial

I hope everyone had a Happy Easter with their family! We sure did and I enjoyed so much seeing my 3 cute kids in their matching outfits for church! The boys didn't last in their ties, of course, but my little princess enjoyed wearing her skirt all day long! And it is mighty cute, if I do say so myself! So, here's the tutorial for it!

In preparation ahead of time, I had FINALLY tried out my bias strip maker and made some super cute polka dotted bias tape (I made a few yards, you will need 8' total for this skirt, using these measurements). But if you don't have a bias tape maker, have no patience for making your own bias tape, or have no desire for buying pre-made stuff, just a simple hem will work just as well.

Okay, so now for the actual instructions! This skirt with these measurements was made for my almost 3-year-old, who is quite the skinny mini, but has ridiculously long legs! So, if you need to make it bigger or smaller for your little miss, take that in consideration. So, first cut 3 rectangles: 2 ruffles, 5.5" x 48" and 1 skirt piece 10" x 24". The actual skirt will be longer than 10" by the way.

First, you need to "prep" your skirt piece by sewing down the 10" edge, right sides together. You should have a "hoop" now. Next, hem the bottom by folding 1/2" up and sewing all the way around. After you've hemmed the bottom, you are going to create the elastic casing at the top by folding down 1" and sewing along your 5/8" guide on your machine, but leaving a small gap in your stitch, which is where you will feed the elastic through when it's time (not yet!). The next step in prepping your skirt is wrong side out, fold it in half with your stitch on one edge; carefully using a straight edge of some sort, mark a center line with a washable fabric marker along the fold. Now you can set your skirt piece aside.


  Now, you will get your accent bias tape and fold it around the bottom edge of your ruffle rectangles, stitching it in place as you go. Clip your tape even with the edge of your ruffle. Or, if you're one of the hemmers, go ahead and hem! Next you are going to create a "hoop" out of the ruffle like you did the skirt, stitching the short end, right sides together. At the top of the ruffle, you are going to fold down 1/2" as if you were "hemming" it, but instead of a normal stitch, you are going to use the longest straight stitch your machine has and sew along the fold, leaving a small gap where your seam is. DO NOT backstitch at the beginning or the end, leave extra thread hanging off. Make sure both of your ruffle rectangles are ready like this before moving on.

Now it is time for the pinning. You will need your skirt piece right side out. Take your first ruffle, find the center across from your seam and pin it with a vertical pin to the front center of your skirt you marked earlier; you will line it up roughly one inch away from your casing stitch. Now, line up the ruffle seam with the skirt seam, still staying one inch below the casing stitch, and pin it with another vertical pin. Now is the tricky part. You are going to gather your ruffle starting by the seam where you left thread hanging. Gently pull the bobbin thread so your fabric starts to gather. Take this part very slow and gentle so your thread doesn't break. If you find it's getting hard to pull,work your gathered fabric "down the line" to free up space where you're pulling. Gather it all the way to the center pin, until the ruffled part is the same length as that half of the skirt and pin it in place. Repeat on the other side. Now, I went ahead and stitched it in place so I didn't have to worry about things falling out of place while pinning and gathering the other ruffle.

Now you will pin and gather the second ruffle in the same manner, this time lining it up just under where the bottom of the first ruffle hits. Stitch it in place. You should have two tiers of super cute ruffles!

Now, you just need to add the elastic to the inside of the casing. Measure your princess' waist and cut your elastic. Pin a safety pin onto one end of your elastic and push it through your opening. Thread it all the way until it comes outside the other end, being careful to not pull your end through. Now, using a zig-zag stitch, sew your ends of elastic together, back and forth a few times so it stays in place. Now, stitch your opening shut and admire your work!




8 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness your kids look so adorable in their matching outfits! I am loving the fabric and would love to see how you make the ties. I have been wanting to make cute ties for my boys!

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    1. Thanks, Cassidy! I posted a tutorial on the ties too :) Take a look!

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  2. Love this! We just posted our Kitchen Fun and Crafty link party and would love for you to share this! http://kitchenfunwithmy3sons.blogspot.com/2012/04/kitchen-fun-and-crafty-friday-link_12.html?m=1

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    1. Thanks so much for stopping by! I am headed to your blog now!

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  3. I love how her skirt turned out. too cute. love the fabric too

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  4. I featured you today on Blissful and Domestic. Stop by and grab a button lady:>

    Danielle @ Blissful and Domestic
    www.blissfulanddomestic.com

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  5. Hi Holly,
    Looking forward to the Summer Party. I am your newest follower. Thanks for hosting... Have a great weekend.

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