Life is Beautiful

Motherhood, Sewing, Family

navy blue & white striped skirt DIY

~ SEWING

i originally ordered a navy blue & white knit fabric to make
anthropologie’s expanding universe tank. however, when i received the fabric,
it was a lot thicker than i’d thought so i decided to make a skirt instead. 
i should’ve looked closer because on the fabric info,
it says it has 20% stretch which isn’t a lot. 
can you tell this is only my second time purchasing fabric online? 
 i guess i still have a lot to learn in the sewists’ world. πŸ™‚

*picture shown of the back of the skirt
–you’ll need: 1/2 yard of striped knit fabric(i purchased mine here),
scissors, matching thread, pins
–estimated time: 30-45 mins.
–project cost: very low(mine was $4 w/ free shipping)
–skill level: a beginner
1. wrap the fabric around you and see if it’ll go around your whole hip/waist area.
(if it doesn’t, then you’ll need to cut two pieces, but this is how i did it.)
2. place the fabric a few inches higher than you’d wear it
and roughly mark with your fingers the length you want it + extra1-1/2 inches.
3. keeping place with your finger where that line is, cut across the fabric all the way.
4. fold about 2″ inward to the wrong side of the fabric and pin it across.
(this will be where your waist will be).
5. fold it in half.  the red lines are to show you where the darts will be.
(the darts will only be in the back and not the front).
6. make the darts by sewing along the red lines shown in the picture.
(you can have the line be more angled as you want but make sure it ends as gradual in the end).
the darts should look similar to this.
7. cut the top 1/2 of the edge so it’s a little rounder like this to resemble a pencil skirt.
8. sew along the edge.
9. hem the bottom of the skirt.
and you’re done!
(excuse my butt shot but it was necessary in order to show the darts ^ ^)
this skirt only cost me $4.
buy a similar skirt at alice + olivia for $165 or make one for $4. 
the choice is yours. πŸ˜‰

Comments

  1. Andrea @ Keepin it Thrifty says

    Your never gonna believe this but I just bought blk n white striped fabric at a yard sale….I've been wanting to mk a skirt…ill def be doing this ASAP!!! Go check out my handbag I just made its super easy and I would LOVE it if u tried it!!!!

    Xoxo Andrea

  4. Mongs says

    I just found your blog. LOve that simple but chic skirt. Really like your blog. Your family looks so beautiful and your kids are so cute. Following you!

    love~mongs
    mythriftycloset.blogspot.com

  7. Rachel says

    That is really cute!! I have been looking at that expanding universe tank too trying to figure out how to knock it off.

  10. Mrsink says

    I love it! I have been looking for a skirt tutorial and this one looks perfect. πŸ™‚ I love the whole outfit you're wearing.

  11. Andrea says

    Love it. Unfortunately it would take a few more darts to fit my hips!! It looks amazing on you (of course)!

    Andrea @ TheTrainToCrazy

  13. Kristen. Jason. Sofie says

    ok… i'm gonna go for it. i have the hardest time sewing with knits… i don't know if i pull the fabric or what, but it always ends up wavy. i dunno!? any pointers on sewing knits would be greatly appreciated! love your blog!

  17. Sarah says

    @Kristen, this knit was really thick so I had no problem sewing with it and it didn't end up wavy at all. I've sewed Lycra however that gets all wavy and the end result wasn't perfect but making the tensions tighter helped a bit. Hope that helps!

    thank you for your comments everyone!

    xoxo

  19. Master P says

    Can you please tell me where you bought the material?? I'm new to the internet fabric shopping world too and I'd love to know where to snag this awesome striped knit because I MUST make this skirt!! Adorable!!

  20. Crys302 says

    Yes! Please let us know where you found that fabric! I've been searching for some at my fabric stores, but nothing that I like.

  27. Life On Planet Mum says

    Hi Sarah, I came by your blog via Pinterest and I love your blog! You are so creative and you have certainly fired up my juices to get sewing again, although my skills are very basic. I am definitely following your blog now! Grace

  32. Gail Mitchell says

    You don't ever mention sewing the waistband at the top, just pinning it. Do you stitch it down? Before or after the darts? Does it slide on easily over your hips with darts rather than elastic? Cute pattern — hope to try it soon. Thanks

  33. Sarah says

    I really want to but haven't found the right fabric yet! But when I do I will be sure to post a tutorial. πŸ™‚

  34. Sarah says

    I didn't sew the waistband, I folded it and then when I sewed the sides of the skirt, it keeps it down just fine. And the fabric I used is very stretchy. So yes, it slides on my hips just fine. Hope that helps!

  35. Anonymous says

    just going to order the fabric for your awesome skirt and i wanted to double check you said you only used half a yard is that right!? or a typo? just trying to figure out how much to order!
    thanks

  36. Sarah says

    Yes, I only used 1/2 a yard but I believe I ordered a yard. You'll cut it in half but will still need a full yard since it comes in measure of the vertical stripes and not horizontal stripes. am i making sense? haha, it's a 60" fabric and while it comes in 1 yard of vertical stripes, you'll cut it in horizontal stripes. see pictures above for reference. hope that made sense!

  39. Yingie says

    Hi Sarah, thanks a lot for such an useful tutorial πŸ™‚

    I'm just a beginner so I need to ask you a silly question: how can I define the darts?

    Thanks again for this πŸ™‚

  41. Natalie says

    My mom introduced me to the the "stretch needle" for the sewing machine. It's amazing, I didn't get the bunches and waves like I usually get with knit material.

  42. Anonymous says

    Hi;) I love your blog and modest fashion sense. You inspire me! I wish I knew how to sew:/ I usually get clothes from the mall for $30+ and I know I could make them for less if I just knew how.. Maybe I'll take that class in school next yr! β™₯ you're so pretty!!

  43. Sarah says

    I know exactly how you feel, I say that so many times while I'm shopping. And that's why you should start! Don't be intimidated, all my sewing projects are for beginners. πŸ™‚ and you are so sweet, thank you for your compliment!

  48. sadaf.k says

    I really love this skirt and you make it seem so easy! I was wondering if I can use the same method, but make the stripe skirt into a maxi stripe skirt?

  49. BMiller says

    Good morning! Love the tutorial, I wear pencil skirt all the time for work, and they can be expensive, can't wait to give this a try this weekend! However I do have another question, did you ever find out how to make the expanding universe tank? I would be really interested in that!

  50. Sarah says

    No, I did not! I never found the right fabric at fabric stores. But when I do, I will be sure to post a tutorial, I still want to make one really bad! πŸ™‚

  51. Jill Carter says

    Very nice skirt and so creative, but will you give us instructions on how you were gonna make the anthropologie's expanding universe tank?? Pretty please!?

  54. supply says

    Нi to every body, it’s my first pay a quick visit of thΡ–s weblog;
    this web site consists of awesome and really exceβ…Όlent data designed for visitors.

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