My daughter really loves ballerina skirts and things that are girly, so I decided to make her a skirt for Christmas. Kids are sort of fickle with their tastes, and I had purchased this Christmas Hello Kitty fabric last year on clearance at Joann’s, not even knowing that she would love Hello Kitty this year or that it would be the current hot thing. 😉 I guess I got lucky! I used this cute pattern by Favorite Things called Little Hip Skirts. I got the pattern for my birthday last week.
Fabric – The pattern for childrens’ size 4 took 1 yard of the main fabric, and I also made the ‘Double Skirt’ option, and I used some contrasting red china silk that I got from fabric.com for around $2. The pattern also calls for elastic for the waistline.
Pattern Pieces – There are several skirt options, including a pleated skirt and a button-down skirt. I chose the basic circle skirt, which had 2 pattern pieces (the skirt and the waistband). The circle skirt has 4 panels (although I think I might have liked to cut the panel on the fold for 2 pieces, so that my print would have continued on through the front of the skirt instead of being chopped up by each of the 4 panels).
Illustrations/Instructions – This is a very easy pattern, and there were only a few steps to follow. There were a few illustrations to go along with the steps, so I had no problem with it.
I decided to topstitch snowflakes at the hem of the skirt, with one of the decorative stitches on my machine (which I don’t often use!).
The only thing I didn’t like about it was that the waistband was quite thick, and the elastic much thinner than the width of the waistband, so after the elastic is inserted, the waistband sort of pushes away from the body at the top. If I made the skirt again, I would probably adjust the waistband to be only slightly wider than the actual elastic, so that the entire waistband hugged the body (in doing so, the length of the skirt would probably have to be adjusted as well).
Conclusion – Great pattern and easy to follow; I like that there were several options to make the skirt look different. The skirt sizes are from toddler through teen (approx. 90lb.), so this one pattern will make skirts for many sizes. This would be appropriate for a beginner.
Turned out darling! I have that pattern and haven’t sewn from it yet, but my oldest keeps asking for me to, so thanks for the inspiration! 😉
The skirt is so cute! Christmas needs more Hello Kitty!! 🙂
That skirt is so cute. It would be something my 3 year old granddaughter would love. However, it would have to be purple. That is her favorite color.
I would like to see pictures of the waist band / elastic. I use to make circle skirts for my now 25 yr old DD when she was little. Loved watching her twirl.
I had my own method to make the waist band. Contrasting fabric/ loved using jersey ribs..
Hip measurement + 4 inches so it would stretch enough to get on the child.
The waist band was about 3 to 4 inches strip the size of the hip +4 measurement. I sewed casing a tad larger that elastic size; then slipped in elastic. I used 1/4 inch elastic cut to waist measurement. I had 2 -3 channels for small kids used 4-5 for bigger kids. I eased the waist band to the skirt.
It would stretch to the size of the child to get on and laid flat against the skin.
I hope this is understandable.
I just remembered a second method; I got colored elastic about 2inch in width from a costume shop and then used that for the waist band. I bet you can find colored elastic on line.
Nonnie,
.
I would like to see pictures of the waist band / elastic. I use to make circle skirts for my now 25 yr old DD when she was little. Loved watching her twirl.
I had my own method to make the waist band. Contrasting fabric/ loved using jersey ribs..
Hip measurement + 4 inches so it would stretch enough to get on the child.
The waist band was about 3 to 4 inches strip the size of the hip +4 measurement. I sewed casing a tad larger that elastic size; then slipped in elastic. I used 1/4 inch elastic cut to waist measurement. I had 2 -3 channels for small kids used 4-5 for bigger kids. I eased the waist band to the skirt.
It would stretch to the size of the child to get on and laid flat against the skin.
I hope this is understandable.
I just remembered a second method; I got colored elastic about 2inch in width from a costume shop and then used that for the waist band. I bet you can find colored elastic on line.
Nonnie,
.
Very cute, and love the stitching round the hem. Not sure the recipient is too convinced by the brotherly love though… ;o)
Very cute!! 🙂