Sunday, July 15, 2012

Farm Skirt Tutorial

 A trip to the farm just wouldn't be complete without a farm skirt, right !?!

Here's a tutorial on how to sew this farm skirt which was inspired by a 1970's prairie/peasant style denim skirt.

Farm Skirt (size 4-6)

Supplies needed:
:: 3/4 yard chambray
:: 21 inches 2 inch wide black elastic (or child's waist measurement plus 1 inch)
:: white thread
:: black thread
 Step-by-step instructions:
:: Cut the fabric into 3 pieces:
top piece: 7" X 25"
middle piece: 7" X 35"
bottom piece: 13" X 45"
 :: Fold bottom piece in half
 :: Press with iron
 :: Start with the white thread, gather at the top (which is where the 2 edges meet). I used my favorite gathering method which is zigzag over cording, but you can use your favorite gathering method. For zigzag over cording I used white cording I bought at Michael's, set my sewing machine to zigzag stitch, with the widest & longest stitch settings. Zigzag stitch with 1/4" seam (all seams allowances throughout are 1/2", so zigzag stitching at 1/4" won't get in the way)
 :: Gather the bottom piece which is 45" to match the 35" of the middle piece
 :: Pin together the bottom piece to the middle piece & sew together with 1/2" seam
 :: Pull cording out
:: Press seam with iron
 :: Topstitch seam
 :: Repeat the gathering at the top of the middle piece & attach it to the top piece, also press seam with iron & topstitch
:: Now that all 3 pieces are sewn together, fold in half with right sides together & sew together down the side (which will become the back seam) with 1/2" seam
:: Press seam open with iron
:: Switch to the black thread
:: Take the black elastic, fold in half & sew 1/2" seam, open seam & sew down both sides of the seam
 :: Attach the black elastic to the top of the skirt. I tucked under 1/2" of fabric under the elastic. I pinned it in 4 places, equidistant, I started by matching the elastic seam with the back seam of the skirt. I stretched the elastic slightly while sewing along at 1/4" away from the elastic edge (for the elastic waistband this is a great tutorial)
 You are done !




Have a great day on the farm !

PS this is another skirt being donated to the Skirting the Issue event ~ if you don't know what that's all about, be sure to check it out !