I Sew For Fun Project Tutorial: Super-Simple Skirt
Sew a Super-Simple Skirt with a little elastic and 5/8 yd. knit fabric! Your budding little sewists will bloom, as they create their first clothing project, with this FREE! I Sew For Fun Super-Simple Skirt Sewing Tutorial by Nancy Zieman.
Tune in and watch Nancy and her granddaughters, along with friends, take a modern approach to sewing. Nancy shares her team sewing-for-fun experience along with many tips for a big partner, and numerous insights for involving a little sewing partner—all while making simple, easy to sew kid-friendly projects. Watch I Sew For Fun on Sewing With Nancy!
Skirt Sewing Tutorial
Supplies Needed:
Instructions:
Please read all instructions before beginning. Use the width of the presser foot as the depth of the seam allowance.
1. Take a few measurements to determine the size of the fabric rectangle to cut:
Have your little partner get out their tape measure, and show them how to take measurements.
- Measure waistline and add 10″ to that measurement.
- Measure your littler partner to determine the finished skirt length and add 3″:
– Example: Waist measures 20″ + 10″ = 30″. Length measures 11″ + 3″ = 14″
(This measurement allows for a 1-1/2″ casing and a 1-1/2″ hem).
- Draw a pattern rectangle on paper, using the final waist (width) and length measurements.
-For the example, draw the 14″ x 30″ rectangle on paper.
- Cut the pattern rectangle from your knit fabric. (The length measurement (14″) should be parallel to the selvages of the fabric.)
2. Stitch the back seam:
- Fold fabric rectangle in half, right sides together, meeting short edges. Pin or use Wonder Clips to hold seam together.
- Stitch about 1/2″ from the top edge; stop and backstitch, removing pins/Wonder Clips as you stitch.
- Lift the presser foot and start stitching again about 1″ from last stitches.
The area that you left unstitched will be the opening for the elastic.
- Continue stitching seam, backstitching at the bottom edge.
- Press seam open.
- Turn skirt right side out.
3. Make casing:
- Turn under a 1-1/2″ at the top edge of the skirt forming the casing, using I Sew For Fun 5-in-1 Sliding Gauge to measure accurately. Press. Use I Sew For Fun Heart Shapped Straight Pins or I Sew For Fun Wonder Clips to secure.
- Stitch, guiding the edge of the presser foot along the cut edge of the casing, removing pins/Wonder Clips as you stitch.
The bulk of the fabric will be to the inside of the sewing machine.
4. Prepare elastic and insert into casing:
- Cut elastic about 2″ smaller than the finished waist measurement. Or, have your little partner try on the skirt, and snug up the elastic to fit comfortably; mark elastic. Trim elastic at the markings.
- Center a 2″ square of firmly woven fabric under one cut edge of the elastic. Securely zigzag the elastic to the fabric.
Show your little partner a zigzag stitch, and let him/her try this new stitch on the small segment of elastic.
- Use the I Sew For Fun Clip ‘n Glide Bodkin to thread elastic through casing. The fabric square helps stop the free end of the elastic from being drawn into the seam opening.
Help your little partner feed elastic into casing.
- “Kiss” the other end of the elastic against the first end. Zigzag through the elastic and fabric several times. Trim away excess fabric as shown.
- Distribute fullness evenly around the casing.
- Optional: Hand stitch opening in casing closed.
5. Hem the skirt:
- Turn a 1-1/2″ hem to the wrong side of the skirt, using 5-in-1 Sliding Gauge. Secure with pins or Wonder Clips. Press.
- Stitch, guiding the edge of the presser foot along the cut edge of the hem, removing pins/Wonder Clips as you stitch.
Tune in and watch Nancy and her granddaughters, along with friends, take a modern approach to sewing. Nancy shares her team sewing-for-fun experience along with many tips for a big partner, and numerous insights for involving a little sewing partner—all while making simple, easy to sew kid-friendly projects. Watch I Sew For Fun on Sewing With Nancy!
Watch I Sew For Fun on Sewing With Nancy online at NancyZieman.com.
For a complete selection of I Sew For Fun companion sewing Tools by Nancy Zieman, visit ShopNZP.com
To win a NEW! I Sew For Fun Clip ’n Glide Bodkin from Clover, please leave a comment below sharing a sewing project you’ll be stitching with your little sewing partner.
The randomly selected winner of a set of eight Landscape Quilt Note Cards by Nancy Zieman, from the April 27 blog post is, Dee.
Her comment is: My favorite is Out on a Limb because it best describes the life and work of Nancy Zieman. She was always “out on a limb”…cheerfully leading and in the forefront of new trends in sewing, inspiring us to follow her as she tried those new ideas. And, obviously, she was a talented artist in many mediums. I miss her gentle “Bye for now.”
Be sure to check out the 2019 Modern Mini Quilt Challenge!
Happy Sewing,
Team Nancy Zieman
Nancy Zieman Productions, LLC.
Gail Beam
My granddaughter wove some mini purses for herself and she wants me to how her how to line them, so I think this is a simple project that we can do together on my sewing machine.
Robyn
I love all these projects in the I Sew For Fun Book.
Peggy Bibb
Love to see young people want to learn to sew. Projects are excellent for beginners!
Ann West
I love the skirt project. My granddaughter would love to make several of them. Thanks.
Carolyn T
A doll skirt! I learned to sew from my dear, patient mother starting with doll clothes and progressing to what amount to today’s skorts for my first days of high school.
Clovis
In mentioning making a skirt for a doll, you can make a mommy, me and doll a skirt the same way. Everybody will be looking cute.
Laura S
I will be getting the Sew for Fun book and sewing tools for my 9 year old granddaughter’s birthday present this year. She loves to sew.
Bridget
I think a pin cushion as my little friend has been requesting a pin cushion that’s “just hers”.
Rosie
I have four grandDaughters who are at the perfect age to begin sewing. Making each a skirt would be a fabulous project together.
Cindy K
That skirt pattern looks like a fun one to do with my granddaughters. And the bodkin would be a great help versus a large safety pin.
Jo Wray
I especially like the sewing with kids suggestions.
Barbara Howes
Looks like the perfect first machine project for my granddaughter, who has been doing small hand stitching things with me.
Marilyn
My 10 year old grand niece and I will be making simple skirts, shorts and tops this summer.
Bonnye
My 13 year old granddaughter and I will be sewing a small quilt.
Hannah W
My daughter and I are working on a doll quilt. She would love to make this skirt as well:)
Barb K
My Granddaughter and I sewed a doll quilt together and she has started on a throw quilt out of multi color squares.
Lorraine Alves
The skirt pattern was simple but easy to embellish with lace, rickrack, and ribbon to make the skirt extra special.
Susan
My eight year-old granddaughter is entering that stage of creativity. The skirt seems like a great project to introduce her as it is straight seams and she would have the fun of selecting fabric. The book would be a wonderful guide to fun times!
Chris
We’ll be visiting our grandchildren in two weeks. What a wonderful idea–to teach her how to make a skirt for herself! She will be MOST proud, especially when she can select her fabric, as well! The art of sewing may be lost if we don’t teach the next generation.
artists Wanted
Yes! Finally something about Artists Needed for a Special Project.
Mary
I would like to make some hair bands and scrunchies with my granddaughter to start with.