Linking up with Tonya and the ladies for the Inspire My Weekend blog hop.
Also linking up with The Blog Guide for the Daily Link Parties. You should totally check out The Blog Guide, there are tons of amazing articles on how to help your blog.
Note: Although this outfit is for Fourth of July, you can use any type of fabric you would like to make the skirt. Maybe some fun college fabric? You better bet I’ll be making Annabelle a Spartan skirt soon!
So with Fourth of July coming up I thought I’d share with you a fun little outfit I made for Annabelle.
For the skirt:
The first thing you need to do is measure your child around the waist. Then measure how long you want the skirt to be.
This is the most confusing part, so just bear with me.
ONE: You will be cutting four rectangles.
Two rectangles need to be the size of your child’s waist plus one inch. For example Annabelle’s waist is 15 inches, so I cut two rectangles with the length of 16 inches. To get the width of the skirt you will want to subtract one inch from how long you actually want your skirt. For example I wanted Annabelle’s skirt to be 7 inches long, so I cut the skirt 6 inches (you will be adding a ruffle to make the skirt the length you want.
The second two rectangles will need to be 5 inches longer than your child’s waist, and 3 inches wide.
Hopefully this picture will help..
In the picture the two rectangles on top will become the ruffle. These are the ones that are 3 inches wide. The length depends on waist size (for Annabelle these rectangles are 20″ X 3″)
The two rectangles on the bottom are the skirt (for Annabelle these rectangles are 16″ X 6″). Once again the width depends on length
Ok… most confusing part is done.
TWO:
Match the two rectangles, right sides together, for the skirt, and sew the short ends.
I used a zig-zag stitch as a, what I call “fake serge”. You do not have to do this, but I think it makes it look just a bit more finished.
THREE:
Match the two rectangles, right sides together, and sew the short ends. You can see here that I took the picture before using the zig- zag stitch. Next you will want to hem the ruffle (sorry I forgot to take pictures of this).
FOUR:
Now you should have two loops. One for the skirt and one for the ruffle. The one for the ruffle should be hemmed.
FIVE:
Next up is gathering the ruffle. To do this choose a wide stitch (I use a basting stitch), and stitch as close to the top of the ruffle as you can. You then want to pull the bobbing thread to gather the ruffle so it is as long as the skirt.
SIX:
Now to attach the ruffle. Turn the ruffle inside out. Slip the skirt into the ruffle so that the hem is at the top, the raw edges of the ruffle are at the bottom, and right sides are together. Match the raw edges of the skirt with the raw edges of the ruffle and sew on the ruffle.
Once sewn in place, flip the ruffle down and iron.
SEVEN:
Now it is time to make a casing for the elastic (my elastic was 1/4 inch). This is similar to making a hem. Fold over the raw edge at the top about 1/4 inch and iron. Fold over again 1/4 inch and iron again. Sew the casing leaving an opening to feed the elastic through. Cut the elastic so it is 1-2 inches smaller than your child’s waist.
EIGHT:
Once the elastic has been fed through, sew the edges of the elastic together.
Then close up the hole which you fed the elastic through.
NINE:
Look and smile at the cute and simple skirt you just made!
I really didn’t take any pictures of the onesie, but it’s pretty easy.
Be sure to put something between the front and back of the onesie so the paint doesn’t seep through and stick. I used wax paper.
To make the blue square of the flag I used blue fabric paint to make Annabelle’s hand print.
To make the stripes I used red paint and attempted to help Annabelle make thumb prints. She wasn’t to pleased. I think older children would have a slightly better time with this part.
The paint bottle said to let everything dry 72 hours, then to wash the clothing inside out. So after that I will try the onesie on her.
Check back in a few days for a fun Fourth of July mantel I am creating.
Also, if you like the skirt, but don’t have the time to make one, you can always order one from my Etsy store (button on the side). I will be putting the listing up later today. Be sure to order by Sunday to insure enough time to make it! 🙂