A really easy skirt pattern for little girls

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I have made these for my girls for years:

Measure waist; multiply by 3 and divide by 2. This does not have to be too exact; round off to nearest inch. This is the width.

Measure length from belly button to as long as you want the finished skirt to be; add 4-6 inches (depends on length of hem). This is the length.

Cut two rectangles of fabric using the width and length figures. With right sides facing, sew the two pieces together along the shorter edges, forming two side seams. Zig-zag or edge stitch or serge the top and bottom edges. Turn the top down (to the inside) about 1 1/4 inches and sew close to the finished edge to form casing for the elastic. Make sure you leave a small opening to thread the elastic through. Turn up hem and stitch in place. Cut a length of elastic (I use 3/4 in. wide elastic) an inch longer than the child's waist. Thread elastic through and pin the ends together with a safety pin. Try the skirt on the child and adjust the elastic to fit. Stitch the ends together and stitch the opening closed.

Patch pockets can be added to the front; my girls like them big and deep. Decide how big you want the pockets, then add a 1/2 in. seam allowance along three sides and a 1 1/4 inch hem at the top. Edge stitch the top edge, turn it down (toward the front) an inch and sew around the sides and bottom edge 1/2 inch in. Turn the hem right side out and press, folding under the other three edges along the stitching line. Stitch pockets to front of skirt at a comfortable arm's length. If they are too low, the child has to stoop to reach the bottom of the pocket; too high, and the top corners tear out faster.

-- Cathy N. (keeper8@attcanada.ca), November 13, 2001

Answers

Thanks for the post, Cathy! I'm a very shaky novice when it comes to sewing - so I really appreciate those easy instructions! Got any more?

-- Chery in KS (cherylmccoy@rocketmail.com), November 13, 2001.

Thanks Cathy! I usually end up tracing a skirt onto newspaper.

I found a really good sewing tip in an ancient Heloise Tips book from the 50's. If you see a dress you like (or are fortunate to work in a cleaners)press a piece of aluminum foil onto the garment marking the seams. Ok I know you are saying, "what about the darts?" well, the marks where the darts are located are cut open just as they would be before they are sewn. Of course you have to add seam allowances to your "pattern". I haven't tried this yet, but know that an older relative who worked in a dry cleaners copied many of the designer dresses for her daughters.

-- Ann Markson (tngreenacres@hotmail.com), November 13, 2001.


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