easy comfy skirt
There have been better photos on this blog. I could have used an iron and that is baby food there on the wall and floor. But let's not focus on that, or the outlet behind my right leg. Let's look at this skirt I made from this fabric I have had for about 6 months. I finally decided to cut it, and felt a bit selfish I didn't use it for the girls, but I need this to be in my life, not cast aside when the girls grow bigger or doesn't fit into the week's dress-up rotation.
The girls have requested I wear tights and skirts more—so they were quite pleased with this. It has an elastic waist instead of a back zipper. To do this, I take my favorite skirt pattern and instead of the zipper, I make an elastic waist. The trick is to not stitch up the darts at all and to add a little extra wiggle room. Then I stitch a casing, use a length of elastic that fits my waist and thread it through. I have to really tug it over my hiney, cause it's fitted, so when it's on, the elastic pulls taught—it doesn't even look like an elastic waist, you know what I mean? It's even more forgiving if you use a stretch cotton or denim. Super easy.
The pocket and the hem are trimmed with yellow bias tape, and I did this all by machine. I am thinking about showing this no-swearing way to get the binding on. . . I want to shoot a short video tutorial of it with my flip! So, now that I have written this, it's supposed to motivate me to do it.
It should motivate you, because now I'm curious... you can put on binding WITHOUT cursing. No way. You're lying.
Posted by: Nicole | March 20, 2008 at 09:33 AM
Thank you for sharing this and not staging a perfectly artistic shot. Every now and then, it's nice to see a more realistic side to my favorite crafting blogs. I plan to live in skirts this summer(much more forgiving than shorts).
Posted by: Lorien | March 20, 2008 at 09:35 AM
I have recently decided video tutorials are the way to go :) I'm still perfecting my technique to create them but a 1 minute video is so much easier to understand than 20 photos plus text. Can't wait to learn about the bias tape technique!
Posted by: Melissa H | March 20, 2008 at 09:40 AM
Rock On for making something for yourself. It's hard! Especially when the kids look so cute in what you make. I think there are times when we all forget to do a little love for ourselves. thanks for the reminder!
Posted by: zannestar | March 20, 2008 at 09:51 AM
really cute. love the fabric (and the pocket).
Posted by: meg | March 20, 2008 at 09:55 AM
Cute cute cute! YES you should keep some of your pretty fabrics for yourself too! And those girls are good fashion stylists - tights with skirts look great to me.
Posted by: Evonne | March 20, 2008 at 09:58 AM
I love this design too. Especially that the skirt stays up when tugged on!
I am excited about bias tape too! (Are those the new shoes?)
Posted by: Mary- The Yellow Door Paperie | March 20, 2008 at 09:58 AM
Very cute fabric!
Posted by: AJ | March 20, 2008 at 10:02 AM
At least now I know that I'm not the only one with baby food on the wall. At least it's not a booger, right?
Love that fabric!
Anna
Posted by: Lasso the Moon | March 20, 2008 at 10:04 AM
that is the best skirt ever! and you have attained my summer goal to wear stripes and patterns at the same time. well done!
:)
Posted by: tania | March 20, 2008 at 10:20 AM
Pleeeez post the no tears binding method! It drives me nuts :)
Posted by: asti | March 20, 2008 at 10:51 AM
Ooooo, yes! A tutorial please!!! A video tutorial is even better!!!
As far as the baby food on the wall, we can top you. I was really dreading this spring - knowing I really need to paint our living room and dining room again. I washed the walls last weekend to prep, and have now decided I don't need any paint! Just a little cleaning! :o)
Posted by: Amy Lu | March 20, 2008 at 10:58 AM
so cuuuute!!!
Posted by: jen b | March 20, 2008 at 11:01 AM
Adorable skirt! Who needs ironing? Far more charming without... Sometimes a uniform rumple looks MUCH better than a pressed skirt with a lap-full of creases. Shall we all vow to not iron our summer cottons?
Posted by: Melissa | March 20, 2008 at 11:22 AM
Insanely cute!
Posted by: Claire | March 20, 2008 at 11:23 AM
It's so cute :)
Posted by: Christine | March 20, 2008 at 11:36 AM
I am glad that I am not the only one with random baby food splatters around my house.
Cute skirt... I am going to make some elastic waisted skirts! It is cute and looks so comfy!!!!! I love that fabric.
Posted by: Nicole | March 20, 2008 at 11:38 AM
Awesome skirt in a very cute fabric!
I love that your girls make requests on your wardrobe choices. That cracks me up. When I justify being bossy with my husband's haircuts or outfits, I claim that I get to veto his choices since I spend the most time looking at him.
Posted by: jean | March 20, 2008 at 11:58 AM
oh hello just the type of skirt i have been obsessing over all winter in light of pending nicer weather. nice to see you skirt.
amy, more please!
Posted by: hannah | March 20, 2008 at 11:59 AM
...I'm with the others, lovely!! But... where'd you get thsoe cute shoes?!
Posted by: sara | March 20, 2008 at 12:11 PM
Oh, I love that fabric!! It makes such a cute skirt! I really hope you do post a tutorial video on how to sew on bias tape without cussing. I have yet to do that one single time!
Posted by: Liz | March 20, 2008 at 12:57 PM
I see the new shoes are being worn! Nice way to welcome Spring. And bring on the bias tape video.
Posted by: jen | March 20, 2008 at 01:40 PM
Darn it! I knew the pictures of cute handmade skirts would start popping up, and I'm determined to make one or two for spring and summer. But now the pressure is on. Couldn't you have held out a few more weeks, but no I guess not - with that adorable fabric calling out to you.
Posted by: Jackie | March 20, 2008 at 01:41 PM
So fresh and Springy-such happy go lucky fabric!
Posted by: Carrie | March 20, 2008 at 02:00 PM
I love that skirt! Please please please post the bias-tape tutorial.
Posted by: seven | March 20, 2008 at 02:12 PM
ooh! Super cute!
Posted by: Amy | March 20, 2008 at 02:28 PM
Great fabric. I would have been a nervous wreck to cut it.
Posted by: erinn Johnson | March 20, 2008 at 03:09 PM
That is so adorable! I love the skirt/tights combo - now I am looking forward to the tutotial!
Posted by: Domestic Chicky | March 20, 2008 at 03:30 PM
Thanks for the tips about converting a pattern to an elastic waist to get a fitted effect. And hooray for using pretty fabric for something just for *you*. (When I wear skirts, E. does a double-take and says, "Mommy, you look like a princess today!" Note to self: wear more skirts.)
Posted by: Jennfier | March 20, 2008 at 04:37 PM
I would be great if you could post the skirt pattern too!
Posted by: pamela | March 20, 2008 at 04:51 PM
i effing love that fabric!!!
i used it a while ago to make a doosrtop for a friend. ur skirt is a much better use of the big print :-)
Posted by: KnitXcorE | March 20, 2008 at 05:00 PM
i promised i didn't even noticed the things that you mentioned. that skirt is so cute, i couldn't see anything else.
Posted by: Veronica TM | March 20, 2008 at 05:04 PM
Awesome skirt. When the pic first loaded, the first thing I noticed was the baby splatter, but had to rub my computer screen to make sure it was your wall and not on my end! I also noticed the new shoes and recently rehabbed toes. Can't say the same for my toes over here.
Posted by: jen | March 20, 2008 at 05:15 PM
Very cute. I would love a cute tutorial to bring some more skirts into my summer wardrobe.
Posted by: Ericka B Traven | March 20, 2008 at 06:23 PM
love it!
Posted by: susan b. | March 20, 2008 at 06:36 PM
Cute,cute, cute! I love the fabric and I love what you did with the skirt...no zipper! Elastic waist, what could be easier?
Posted by: Alice | March 20, 2008 at 07:01 PM
Binding tape tutorial, yes! Please!
Posted by: Beth | March 20, 2008 at 07:16 PM
Pleeeeease! A bias tutorial please! I avoid any project that as bias in it. I find I usually ruin the whole thing when I add the bias. And that is usually at the end of the project...
I love Bias I want to make my own with flowers I want to use it but D*** I can't!!
Posted by: zenzhey | March 20, 2008 at 08:18 PM
Cute skirt! And I'm really glad to find I'm not the only one who notices the splatters of baby food on the wall after I've taken the photo! I would love to see a bias tape tutorial :D
Posted by: Helen | March 21, 2008 at 01:59 AM
Oh yes....please please PUHLEASE do the bias tape tutorial!!! Bias tape is my natural born enemy. If you do it, I'll bake you a cake or something and mail it to you. I make really good cake. Think about it....you won't be sorry.
Happy Easter!
Posted by: April | March 21, 2008 at 04:58 AM
darling skirt!!
yes, i would totally watch a video of your skills..!
Posted by: Sue | March 21, 2008 at 05:30 AM
Adorable! Going in to my file of "must-do" projects!
~Crystal
www.jewelfaerie.com
www.chickswithflair.com
Posted by: Crystal | March 21, 2008 at 05:53 AM
Very cute! I have been thinking of doing the EXACT same thing lately. I hate zippers and avoid them at all costs. However, instead of doing elastic I decided to do a wrap skirt instead. But glad to know that substituting the zipper for elastic does work! Will try it next time. :)
Posted by: Deanna | March 21, 2008 at 06:00 AM
OK--I think you are locked into that tutorial you mention. I'd love to see it, anyway. GREAT SKIRT! Thanks for this blog, btw. It is excellent.
Posted by: apple cyder | March 21, 2008 at 06:24 AM
This is absolutely too cute! Love it!!!
Posted by: Angie @ Many Little Blessings | March 21, 2008 at 06:26 AM
ADORABLE! :) I'm going have to order some of that fabric
Posted by: pamela | March 21, 2008 at 06:53 AM
Your skirt is very cute. Love the whole outfit. I am glad to see that others have other things on their walls besides just paint!!!
Posted by: collins | March 21, 2008 at 07:01 AM
so cute!
i need to make something for myself too!!!!
oh goodness...you should see my walls...i have a 2 year old! :)
Posted by: selle | March 21, 2008 at 07:46 AM
so cute!
i need to make something for myself too!!!!
oh goodness...you should see my walls...i have a 2 year old! :)
Posted by: selle | March 21, 2008 at 07:46 AM
The skirt is great and I love the happy flowers. I would also love a "no-swearing way" tutorial on how to do binding as I've quite exhausted the swear words in my little lexicon.
Posted by: June | March 21, 2008 at 08:28 AM