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navy blue & white striped skirt DIY

July 28, 2011~ 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˜‰
4

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TAGGED: DIY 54 Comments

Comments

  1. Andrea @ Keepin it Thrifty says

    July 28, 2011 at 6:53 am

    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

  2. ::little projects in style:: says

    July 28, 2011 at 6:58 am

    how cute! πŸ™‚ it looks really well fitted and comfy too!

  3. Leslie says

    July 28, 2011 at 7:03 am

    LOVE the skirt!! Great job! I am a sewer and I love coming to your blog and seeing all of your projects!!

  4. Mongs says

    July 28, 2011 at 8:36 am

    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

  5. Jessica at Me Sew Crazy says

    July 28, 2011 at 10:40 am

    skirt looks amazing! great deal πŸ™‚

  6. Erica Louise says

    July 28, 2011 at 11:42 am

    Very cute skirt

  7. Rachel says

    July 28, 2011 at 12:01 pm

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

  8. Chyanne M. says

    July 28, 2011 at 12:29 pm

    Cute! I've been looking for some fabric like this.

  9. Just Jaime says

    July 28, 2011 at 2:01 pm

    CUTE!! Love how it turned out! You make it look easy!

  10. Mrsink says

    July 28, 2011 at 2:11 pm

    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

    July 28, 2011 at 2:42 pm

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

    Andrea @ TheTrainToCrazy

  12. Foundinthe-ALI says

    July 28, 2011 at 3:45 pm

    love, love, love this. So simple!

    I will add this to my list of "to-sew"

    Ali
    http://www.foundintheali.blogspot.com

  13. Kristen. Jason. Sofie says

    July 29, 2011 at 2:23 am

    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!

  14. Beth Adams says

    July 30, 2011 at 12:59 pm

    Love it! Looks so cute on you. I would love for you to show this off at my Wickedly Crafty Saturdays! http://wiccanmakesometoo.blogspot.com/2011/07/wickedly-crafty-saturdays.html

  15. Malinda Jane Sieg says

    July 30, 2011 at 5:30 pm

    cute skirt!

  16. Adrienne says

    July 31, 2011 at 7:26 pm

    Very cute!

  17. Sarah says

    August 1, 2011 at 5:37 am

    @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

  18. AmieAnn says

    August 1, 2011 at 11:25 am

    Beautiful! Love the simplicity of your skirt and the fabric is beautiful! Hope you will share with my Pink Hippo Party @ http://pinkapotamus.blogspot.com/2011/08/pink-hippo-party-40.html

  19. Master P says

    August 1, 2011 at 1:25 pm

    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

    August 4, 2011 at 3:41 am

    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.

  21. Sarah says

    August 4, 2011 at 5:04 am

    You can see the link above on the "you'll need" section. Good luck!

    xoxo

  22. Beth Adams says

    August 5, 2011 at 3:03 pm

    Thanks for linking this up to my Wickedly Crafty Saturdays! Hope to see more from you this coming Saturday.

  23. Adventures in Dressmaking says

    August 5, 2011 at 3:07 pm

    SO cute! That is great fabric!

  24. Emily says

    August 5, 2011 at 4:36 pm

    Darling!! Love the darts. πŸ™‚

  25. Bret and Cami says

    August 12, 2011 at 9:02 pm

    Love it. Did you put a zipper in or anything? How did you get it to be so fitted but not include any kind of zipper?!

  26. Sarah says

    August 13, 2011 at 5:28 am

    No zipper, the darts make it fitted. πŸ™‚

    xoxo

  27. Life On Planet Mum says

    October 30, 2011 at 3:10 pm

    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

  28. Ty and Whitty says

    December 12, 2011 at 9:14 pm

    I adore your skirt and want to make one of my own now. I featured it on my "This Weeks Pinterest Loves" post on my blog yesterday. Come and check it out here and grab a feature button from my side bar. http://tyandwhitneyulrich.blogspot.com/2011/12/this-weeks-pinterest-loves-18.html

    A mommy's life…with a touch of YELLOW
    tyandwhitneyulrich.blogspot.com

  29. carmelita3119 says

    January 15, 2012 at 1:44 am

    Are you going to make the navy blue and white striped shirt like you had planned? I am waiting on the tutorial. The shirt is super cute. Thanks!

  30. Jackie Welling says

    January 30, 2012 at 8:31 pm

    Hi where did you get this fabric? Darling skirt!

  31. Sarah says

    February 2, 2012 at 4:12 pm

    Jackie, I have a direct link to the fabric on the "you'll need" section.

  32. Gail Mitchell says

    March 6, 2012 at 10:47 pm

    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

    March 7, 2012 at 4:41 am

    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

    March 7, 2012 at 4:43 am

    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

    March 27, 2012 at 3:05 am

    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

    March 27, 2012 at 5:43 am

    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!

  37. Jen Conlon says

    March 29, 2012 at 6:31 pm

    Great tutorial! You've been featured on the Quality Sewing Tutorials blog.

    We hand select only the best free tutorials and patterns for the home sewist.

    Grab a brag button!

  38. Sarah says

    March 30, 2012 at 4:55 am

    Thank you so much Jen, I'm honored to be featured on your great blog!

  39. Yingie says

    May 23, 2012 at 12:59 pm

    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™‚

  40. Sarah says

    May 25, 2012 at 4:54 am

    What do you mean by defining the darts? πŸ™‚

  41. Natalie says

    June 1, 2012 at 7:22 pm

    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

    June 15, 2012 at 10:36 pm

    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

    June 19, 2012 at 5:23 am

    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!

  44. Maxine says

    January 15, 2013 at 1:40 pm

    creative!!

  45. Brittany says

    January 18, 2013 at 5:12 pm

    Hi Sarah, I am new to sewing and have never seen a dart before. How do I know how big or long to make it?

  46. Brittany says

    January 18, 2013 at 5:13 pm

    Made* I know what they are lol

  47. Bec says

    March 4, 2013 at 10:29 am

    Thank you so much for this tutorial! I used it to make my own version of this skirt and I absolutely love it! You can check it out on my blog where I have also place a link to your tutorial. http://make-it-funky.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/simple-jersey-skirt.html Thanks again!

  48. sadaf.k says

    March 25, 2013 at 8:20 pm

    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

    May 31, 2013 at 2:10 pm

    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

    June 3, 2013 at 5:53 pm

    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

    November 7, 2013 at 3:05 pm

    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!?

  52. BAnn Carbonell says

    January 19, 2014 at 11:56 pm

    Thank you for this wonderful idea! What type of material is the fabric? The link leading to the fabric does not work. Thanks so much!! πŸ˜€

  53. Anonymous says

    September 30, 2014 at 2:57 pm

    Im going to try this with all kinds of different colours and patterns

  54. supply says

    October 30, 2017 at 7:25 am

    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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Hello! My name is Sarah and I am so happy to have you here! Here you'll find DIY sewing, DIY home building & decor, honest and vulnerable posts of motherhood and snippets of my family. We are building our dream house and will update you regularly on our whole process from start to finish and I am also starting a mother-daughter sewing series. So I hope you stay awhile!

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