Guest Post: Today I am welcoming my small business friend Samantha Howard of "bobaloo! cool stuff for modern tots". She is sharing how to easily make an aztec knit skirt- perfect for layering over leggings. A big thanks to Samantha Howard for taking time away from her shop to share this awesome tutorial with us!
------------------------------------
As a work-at-home mom, I pretty much live in leggings and boots this time of year. However, I am a firm believer in Tim Gunn's "leggings are not pants" rule. I don't have a ton of shirts that cover my business so I was kind of stuck with the same two long cardigans. Then, when making a big ol' batch of these blankets, the stack of scrap yardage sparked an idea - little skirts to cover my booty AND let me wear my beloved leggings even with my regular shirts!
After I posted an Instagram pic, Samantha asked me to show you all how to make your own. Here you go!
What you need:
- about 1/2 yard knit fabric (stretchy, t-shirt-weight jersey knits work best)
- 1 yard waistband elastic, 1" - 1 1/2" wide (you'll need a little more if your waist measurement is larger than 36" inches)
- A big safety pin
- Sewing machine with a ball point needle (you can use a regular needle if you want, but a ballpoint needle is made for knits and makes for nicer-looking stitches)
- Pins
- Tape measure or string & ruler
2. Now for a tiny bit of math! I'll use my measurements for an example. For reference, I'm 5' 7" and typically wear a size 12 or 14 in pants.
So here's what we do:
- Divide your hip measurement in 2 (for me, that's 44" divided by 2, which yields 22")
- Subtract 1" from your result (for me, 22" - 1" equals 21")
There's your panel width! Subtracting the inch yields something called "negative ease", which is a fitting term. Basically, taking that bit off ensures that the stretchy knit fabric will lay close to your body.
- Add 2" to your skirt length measurement (for me, 14" + 2" equals 16")
That's it! This measurement is if you leave your skirt un-hemmed, which is what I do. Knits typically don't unravel, and well... I'm lazy.
3. Using those measurements, we'll cut two identical panels. My panels measure 21" wide by 16" tall (you'll want the stretch to go width-wise). I use two layers of fabric and cut mine at the same time so they're exactly alike. I should probably considering ironing the fabric before cutting.
4. Stack your panels on top of each other, right sides together. Pin down each side. Using a small-to-medium stitch length (I set my Janome machine on 3), sew the two short sides using a 1/2" seam allowance, removing the pins as you go. Don't forget to backstitch a few stitches at the beginning and end of each seam to secure the threads!
6. Next we'll make a casing for the elastic. This is basically a "tunnel" for the elastic. Press the top of your skirt down 2" and pin in place.
7. If you are able to on your machine, set your stitch to a long, narrow zigzag. I'm just using a straight stitch for this one, and in my experience it's worked just fine, so feel free to leave your stitch setting alone if you'd like. Starting about 1" from the side seam, stitch about 1/4" from the raw, turned-under edge. Stop 1" from the side seam you began sewing at to leave a 2" opening in the casing.
8. Set your skirt aside and grab your elastic. Wrap it around your waist where you'd like to wear the skirt, and pull it until it's just a little snug, not tight. Overlap the ends by 1" and cut the elastic.
Insert a large safety pin in one end of the elastic and close it. Use the safety pin to feed the elastic through the casing, making sure not to twist it or let the loose end slide into the casing.
What you need:
- about 1/2 yard knit fabric (stretchy, t-shirt-weight jersey knits work best)
- 1 yard waistband elastic, 1" - 1 1/2" wide (you'll need a little more if your waist measurement is larger than 36" inches)
- A big safety pin
- Sewing machine with a ball point needle (you can use a regular needle if you want, but a ballpoint needle is made for knits and makes for nicer-looking stitches)
- Pins
- Tape measure or string & ruler
- A rotary cutter and mat or ruler and scissors
If you've never sewn with knits on a regular machine, this post has some great tips. This is a simple project and easy to sew up on a regular machine.
1. First, we're going to take some measurements. Measure your hips at the widest point. The easiest way to do this is with a tape measure, but if you don't have one you can use a piece of string to wrap around your hips, then measure the string with a ruler. We'll call this measurement "hip".
If you've never sewn with knits on a regular machine, this post has some great tips. This is a simple project and easy to sew up on a regular machine.
1. First, we're going to take some measurements. Measure your hips at the widest point. The easiest way to do this is with a tape measure, but if you don't have one you can use a piece of string to wrap around your hips, then measure the string with a ruler. We'll call this measurement "hip".
Next, determine your length. Using your tape measure or string, measure from your waist (where you'll wear the skirt - for me just below my bellybutton) to your desired skirt length. We'll call this measurement "skirt length".
So here's what we do:
- Divide your hip measurement in 2 (for me, that's 44" divided by 2, which yields 22")
- Subtract 1" from your result (for me, 22" - 1" equals 21")
There's your panel width! Subtracting the inch yields something called "negative ease", which is a fitting term. Basically, taking that bit off ensures that the stretchy knit fabric will lay close to your body.
If you'd prefer a looser-fitting skirt or have a knit without much stretch, you can use the hip-divided-by-2 measurement.
Next up, our panel lengths:- Add 2" to your skirt length measurement (for me, 14" + 2" equals 16")
That's it! This measurement is if you leave your skirt un-hemmed, which is what I do. Knits typically don't unravel, and well... I'm lazy.
4. Stack your panels on top of each other, right sides together. Pin down each side. Using a small-to-medium stitch length (I set my Janome machine on 3), sew the two short sides using a 1/2" seam allowance, removing the pins as you go. Don't forget to backstitch a few stitches at the beginning and end of each seam to secure the threads!
5. Press your seams open if you'd like. Go ahead and slip your skirt on now, and pay attention to how it fits across your hips. If it's too big, trim down one side and re-sew. It's going to be big in your waist, but we'll fix that with the elastic.
7. If you are able to on your machine, set your stitch to a long, narrow zigzag. I'm just using a straight stitch for this one, and in my experience it's worked just fine, so feel free to leave your stitch setting alone if you'd like. Starting about 1" from the side seam, stitch about 1/4" from the raw, turned-under edge. Stop 1" from the side seam you began sewing at to leave a 2" opening in the casing.
8. Set your skirt aside and grab your elastic. Wrap it around your waist where you'd like to wear the skirt, and pull it until it's just a little snug, not tight. Overlap the ends by 1" and cut the elastic.
Insert a large safety pin in one end of the elastic and close it. Use the safety pin to feed the elastic through the casing, making sure not to twist it or let the loose end slide into the casing.
9. Once you've got it all the way through, double check that it's not twisted, then overlap the ends by 1". Stitch them together in a square to secure the ends together, and adjust the skirt so it's evenly distributed along the elastic. Sew the casing closed 1/4" from the raw edge.
Look at you and your new skirt! Now go gather up some knit scraps and make a few more!
Ready for extra credit? Here are some ideas!
- Add a hem to the bottom of your skirt by adding an extra 1 1/2" to your skirt panel length. After you sew the side seams, turn your hem up 1 1/2", press, and stitch 1/4" from the raw edge. This is especially useful for sweater knits, which may unravel.
- Repurpose an old shirt! If you've got a knit shirt that is wide enough to go across your hips, just cut it off in a straight line below the armpits and add the elastic casing and elastic!
- A stretch lace skirt would be ADORABLE and so easy to dress up for a holiday party! You can usually find lace by the yard in fabric stores in the special occasion aisle. You can sometimes find it near the ribbon, too.
---------------------------------------------
Samantha Howard is the owner and designer of bobaloo! cool stuff for modern tots.
Shop online at bobalookids.com for Christmas, baby showers, birthdays and more.
Browse pocket bibs, burp cloths, teething rings, pacifier clips, crayon aprons, stuffed toys, blankets, and tooth fairy pillows with a modern twist by clicking here.
 |
| Crayon Aprons by bobaloo! $19 |
 |
| Tooth Fairy Pillow in Chevron $14 |
 |
| {Gift Set}- Pocket Bib and Burb Cloth $18 |
 |
| Big Softie Blanket $49 |
Like this post?
Subscribe to crafty texas girls
Keep in Touch with Crafty Texas Girls
Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter | Blog | Shop
All photos and text on craftytexasgirls.com are copyright protected. You may not copy entire articles or posts (even with a link) without my express written permission. Email any requests or links used to craftytexasgirls@gmail.com.
