Crafting Adventures: The Four Quarters Skirt

So, this little outfit a certain someone wanted to wear for a photo shoot when we first moved in- I made the skirt!

It's super simple and mostly based on the same tutorial I used to make this skirt (and also this one now that I mention it...) only instead of just upcycling an old piece of my own clothing, this one is from scratch.

I am obsessed with fat quarters- every time I'm at the fabric store, regardless of what I'm looking for, I always manage to find a fat quarter or two in my cart (kind of like how I always manage to find cute toddler clothes in my cart when I go to Target for groceries...).    I'm always finding new projects to use up my stash, and this time I decided to turn some of it into an adorable skirt.

This is a fully lined skirt with an elastic waistband.  I call it the "four quarters" skirt because it uses 4 fat quarters- two of the same fabric for the outside, and two of the same fabric for the lining.  As a typical fat quarter measures at about 18" x 22", you need two in order to fit a larger toddler (or smaller big kid).  If you're looking to make one for a tiny little thing, you could get away with using one fat quarter for the outside and one for the lining.

Supplies:

• 2 fat quarters of outer fabric
• 2 fat quarters of lining fabric
• 1" wide elastic
• sewing supplies

1. So like I said, your fat quarter is probably 22" on the long side, which is probably about the circumference of your toddler's waist (give or take an inch or two).  Meaning if you sew two of them together, you'll have about double your toddler's waist- which gives you a nice full skirt.  If you've got a skinny little girl, you can cut off an inch or two; if your little one's waist is right at 22" or even a tad larger, it's okay- the skirt just won't be quite so full.

You might not need to cut the short side either, but I got rid of about an inch.  Every fat quarter needs to be cut so that the short sides are the length you want the final skirt to be, plus 1/4" seam allowance for the bottom, plus 1 1/2" for the casing for the elastic at the top (so your final length plus 1 3/4").  If you want a long skirt, or if you have a tall girl, you might not need to cut them at all.

You'll want to cut the elastic so that it is just 1" shorter than your child's waist circumference.

2.  To start, pair each piece of outer fabric with a piece of inner fabric, right sides together.  With a 1/4" seam allowance, sew them together with a zig-zag stitch along one of the long sides (this will be the bottom of the skirt).  Turn the piece so that the right sides are facing out again and press along the seam for a nice crisp edge- with no need to hem it!  Repeat with the other pairing.

3.  Now take both panels and place them with the outside fabrics facing together, and line up all the edges.  Using a straight stitch and a 1/4" seam allowance, sew straight down each of the short sides.  Clip as close to the stitch as you can and press the seams open.  (Or you can serge it if you're fancy like that.)

4.  Just like with the tutorial from Make it and Love it, you'll want to create a casing for your elastic that allows for a bit of wiggle room.  Use a zig-zag stitch, and leave about an inch or two open so you can insert your elastic.  Thread the elastic through the casing (Ashley recommends using a safety pin on one end to fish it through).

5. Overlap the ends of your elastic by an inch and attach them together with a zig-zag stitch.  Tuck the elastic into the casing, and sew closed the gap that you left.  Then just turn your skirt right-side-out and put it on your little model!

Of course, if you send her out with Daddy to take pictures, make sure he understands what you mean by "full-length shots".

That face you make when Mommy's making fun of Daddy and you're not having it

So there you go!  A super simple little skirt.  I'd love to see you make one- if you to, post a picture on Instagram and tag me ( @ourgeekyadventure )!

What have you made lately?

Much love,
The Geeks