May 6, 2012

Easiest DIY skirt



I've been wanting a polka skirt and have not been able to find one so I decided to make one myself.  First I attempted a skirt with a zipper.  It looked pretty good but would not fit past my thighs.  Clearly I had some measuring issues.  

So I made this one and it is probably the easiest skirt you could make.  

All you need is fabric, elastic and a sewing machine. 


First measure your elastic.  I cut mine too close to my actual waist size and I wish it was tighter, so next time I'd make the elastic smaller than my waist size.    


Measure your material.  I didn't do any real measuring here.  I just held up the material and made sure that the width fit around my waist (with a little extra to sew).  And then the length was long enough with a little extra to hem.  


Fold your fabric in half and sew the one side of your skirt together.  This will be the back of the skirt. 

 

Then take the top of your skirt and do a very loose stitch.  I put my sewing machine on the highest stitch size.  I'm sure you could do this part by hand to, just sewing wide stitches.  


Take one end of the thread and pull so that your skirt ruffles.  
My thread broke part way, so I just sewed what was left and pulled again.  
This part doesn't have to be perfect because you are sewing over it and then pulling out any extra thread later.  


Sew your elastic band together.  I went back and forth a few times to make sure it was sturdy. 

Line the top of your elastic up to the top of your skirt.  
 The elastic will flip up when you're done. 

Now you have to move your gathers/ruffles around so that your skirt is even.  


Pin your elastic and then sew at the top.  


I had some places where my loose stitch was sticking out some so I had to cut it off in some places.  This stitch doesn't matter any more since you now have the elastic sewed on. 


Finally, iron and hem your skirt. 


And that's it!  



Hope you all had a great weekend!

24 comments:

  1. Okay, Martha Stewart.
    Here I thought I was crafty, pulling an old dress out of the closet and re-mixing it with a new-ish cardigan.
    Congrats on your super cute skirt!
    (Now make me one :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I've been trying to make a simple skirt like this for such a long time. I'm a new sewer so every time I go to start I just get so frustrated and give up! This looks super easy so I'll definitely have to give it a try!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hey Katie, that is really cute! Great job!

    I'm a new follower from The Sasse Life hop.
    Great blog, nice to "meet" you! :)
    Sarah

    http://craftingandcreativity.blogspot.ca/

    ReplyDelete
  4. now I just need to learn to use that darn sewing machine

    ReplyDelete
  5. umm, you may just have inspired me to dust off that sewing machine that is ...well, who knows where? do you think my liquid stitch would work on that hem?

    stop by and enter my striped tee giveaway this week! who doesn't need an extra striped tee for the summer?

    ReplyDelete
  6. This is such a cute skirt!!
    -barbie

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love this skirt.. it's so adorable!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh I SO wish I could sew - but I'm hopeless! The skirt is SO cute Katie - love it :)

    Annie
    The Other Side of Gray

    ReplyDelete
  9. Looks darling on you! I got a sewing machine for Christmas but have yet to sew a stitch. I gotta get my buns in gear!

    ReplyDelete
  10. That polka dot skirt turned out SO cute, Katie! I'm impressed!

    -Sharon
    The Tiny Heart

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh how I need to gain some sewing skills pronto! Cute, love the skirt.

    ReplyDelete
  12. That is super cute - love the polka dots! Love that it is so easy - I'm just learning to sew!

    ReplyDelete
  13. you are so talented! What a fab skirt!
    xx

    ReplyDelete
  14. High five, Katie! It turned out so cute! I need someone to teach me to sew. I have my grandmother's machine, but have never learned how to work it...maybe one day...it's on my never ending to-do list! ;)
    xo,
    Shanna

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love your outfit! I have to admit,I was so happy when I read that you are Jesus follower :) Great!
    I just found your blog and I think it is amazing.I am following you now,under name Lilie Marlen,but I don't use any photos so I will be last one on your follower list.I will be honored if you come visit my blog and follow it if you like it Have a nice day
    FOLLOW ---> http://liliemarlen.blogspot.com/

    LIKE---> https://www.facebook.com/lavieenrose.blog8

    ReplyDelete
  16. Great skirt! I really need to learn to sew. I love it!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Love the outfit and I will definitely have to DIY that skirt as well! Way too cute! xo

    ReplyDelete
  18. the way you whip things up amazes me! that is so cute! you are quite the diy-er friend!

    ReplyDelete
  19. You did an amazing job on your new polka dot skirt! :)
    ~Lisa

    ReplyDelete
  20. I made a bunch of skirts like that last summer! You make me want a polka dot one, asap!

    Stopping by from Mingle Monday.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I envy you.. as much as a unearthing deep my domestic diva in me, still it has not bloom yet.

    portfolio optimization

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for leaving a comment! It makes my day!