Gathered skirts are SO easy to make. All straight line sewing, you can whip one up in no time at all, making them a perfect project if you are new to sewing.
And if you make them full enough, they'll have the all important twirl factor. Combine that with gorgeous fabric, and you're onto a garment that will get lots of use.
You don't need a pattern for a simple gathered skirt. Check out my Simple Gathered Skirt Tutorial, complete with instructions for taking measurements to make a skirt in any size. Or, if you'd prefer, I've worked out the sizing and measurements for ages 2 -5.
In my case, skirts also have the benefit of quickly using up some of my extensive stash. Always a good thing when there's no room on the shelves for new fabric acquisitions.
I may, or may not have been fabric shopping. No guesses as to which is correct... LOL!!!
Aren't these little paper dolls adorable... Paper Dolls by Sheryl Rae Marquez for Windham Fabrics. I still have heaps left, as I bought a whole bolt from the U.S. some time ago.
The skirt in the first photo is perfect for a pink loving princess... Fairytale Princess - Sugar & Spice Textiles. Almost every little girl goes through a PINK stage. How long did the pink stage last for your girls?
Somewhere in my ever so messy sewing room, are the selvedges belonging to the two blue / mauve / yellow floral skirts. One day I'll find them when I'm not looking. Little girls might prefer the pink skirts, but I tend to like large prints. Which skirt is your favourite?
My skirts are packed up ready to send off to Sewing for Charity Australia, together with some store bought frilly t-shirts. I'd love to say I made the t-shirts, but sewing with knit fabric is not my favourite thing to do. Unlike sewing with woven fabrics, the parameters change depending on the stretch of the fabric. How do you cope with stretch fabric?
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I've accidentally bought stretch denim, and donated it to the thrift store. I was recently gifted several pairs of stretch jeans and donated them as well - even though they were gorgeous *embroidered* jeans. I just don't like working with stretch fabrics, and with the amount of stash I have, I'm able to pass it on to someone who will enjoy it more than I would :D
ReplyDeleteNow, having said that, there are lovely patterns around for pretty tops that are made with stretch fabrics - I think if I had the right (simple) pattern and a really pretty piece of the right kind of stretch fabric, I might go for it. I remember sewing very simple dresses for work decades ago (wow I'm old, LOL) and I don't remember even worrying about using stretch fabrics back then. I guess I was braver in my teens and 20's, LOL!
I used to ONLY sew with knit and stretch fabrics back when you could get stripes and patterned knits in Canada for a reasonable price and the fabric was either 100% cotton or 50-50 cotton/polyester. It was gorgeous fabric and didn't shrink like crazy and pill after 3 washings, this was 30 years ago. I made all my children's t-shirts, shorts, pants, skirts, nightshirts and I made all my own t-shirts and nightshirts and panties. Banding was easy to find in many colours and was not rough and uncomfortable. I used to sew all this on my Singer sewing machine with a straight stitch and then a zigzag next to it, gently stretching the fabric to build in stretch. Now I can only find pretty knit fabrics at Joann's in the US and pay US$. I'm sure I can find knits online but again they are not always affordable.
ReplyDeleteI love the "pink" fabric skirt and the paper dolls, both my girls went through the pink and purple phase and my youngest, she's 34, is still going through the pink and purple stage!!! LOL!
I don't sew for myself or much for the children anymore, except my grandchildren and I keep them supplied with bibs, receiving blankets and washcloths!
Oh, Sheila, I used to make all my kids t-shirts, sweaters and track pants, too. Made so many skirts, tops and sweaters for me, and lots of track suits for hubby. Back then the quality of the fabric was awesome. I still have sweaters from the 80s that have not pilled. Hems were the weak point of my garments, though. And they still are. Somewhere along the line I decided I no longer wanted to sew with knit fabric. Maybe I should revisit that decision. I'm not game to buy knits online, as you just can't tell the quality, and they are not cheap.
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