Baby Skirt Tutorial

If you follow my blog through any of my social media options you have already heard my good news, but for those of you who don't, this past week my younger brother and his wife welcomed a beautiful baby girl into the world!!

On my husband's side of the family we have 5 nieces already, and they are all a little older now, and I wasn't really crafting too much when they were all born. However, on my side of the family this was the first girl, and I wanted to make her something!

She decided to make her appearance 2 weeks early, so I had to get busy :)

I made this adorable polka dot skirt and a matching flower headband (I will post a picture and tutorial for that next, so stay tuned). 

I made this skirt a 0-3 month size and I used this polka dot print cotton fabric because it is really light weight for the upcoming summer months and then in the fall tights can be worn underneath,

I absolutely LOVE this skirt because it can be made for babies or older girls.

I found a skirt tutorial at MADE that was for girls, so I researched sizing and measurements for infants and used her methods, but on a smaller scale :)

I found that a common 0-3 month size waist is 14" and a good length from hip to knee is 6".

The tutorial said to take the waist measurement and double it, and add 1/2" for seam allowance then cut your fabric that long. So for mine, I would need a piece of fabric that was 28 1/2" x 7"

I had a long piece of fabric I had found in my mom's stash that was long and narrow.

So instead of cutting one long piece for the skirt  I cut 2 strips of fabric leaving it at the 15" width and 7 inches long.

If you have a serger, you can serge the raw edge of the fabric.

I don't have one, so I folded the fabric up about 1/4 " and then pressed it with and iron, and folded it up another 1/4" and press it again.

Pin the folded edge in place.

Using a straight stitch, sew across the bottom to give your skirt a nice hem.

Next, place your fabric pieces on top of each other, right sides together (meaning, if there is a pattern/print you want those two sides facing each other).

Pin down both sides.

Sew down both sides using a straight stitch, making sure you back stitch when you start and stop.

I just use a zig-zag stitch for this next part. But if you have a serger, it will come in handy.

Go back along where you just sewed, zig-zagging right along the edge of the fabric.

This will help to keep it from fraying when it gets washed.

Now your fabric is connected at the sides, with an opening at the top and bottom.

 Open the skirt so the seam is flat and press it with an iron.

 Fold the top of the skirt down 1/4", press with an iron, and sew a straight stitch around so the raw edge will be hidden.

In the picture below, you can see the bottom hem on the skirt is done, and at the top the part folded over is smaller.

Cut the length of the elastic the size of the waist. So I cut mine 14" long. 

Next we are going to make the area for the elastic to go in.

Fold the top of the skirt over again and use your elastic as a guide to see how much fabric you need to fold over. Give yourself just a little more space than the width of the elastic (see below).

Press with an iron as you make your way around the skirt.

 This picture is showing you what it looks like with the top folded over.

 Using a straight stitch you want to sew along the bottom of the folded part. Make sure not to sew all the way around the skirt. You want to give yourself about a 2" opening between where you started and where you stop so you can thread the elastic through.

I forgot to give myself an opening, and I had to pick some stitches.

 Poke a safety pin through the elastic and thread it through the skirt. 

This is how the skirt gets the 'bunched' look.

 Make sure to leave some of the elastic hanging out of the other side.

I accidentally pulled the elastic through too far and had to dig the other side out.

 Now that your elastic is threaded, sew the two loose ends together and then sew the fabric opening shut.

Turn the skirt right-side out and admire! :)

I am definitely going to be holding on to this for when I have a girl of my own!

I love the endless possibilities here!

Let me know if you have any questions.