First off, I just want to say that I am honored to be a guest blogger on Ucreate! I was a little intimidated when Kari asked me about it, since this is pretty much the mecca of all craft blogs. But here goes nothing!
My name is Leanne and creator of the blog Elle Apparel. I am married to my high school sweetheart and mother to my one-year-old son, Bradley. I started Elle Apparel to sell my hair accessories and aprons, and it has become an outlet where I can post tutorials of the clothing, home décor, etc. that I create. Enjoy this tutorial and feel free to stop by my blog to see more tutorials and accessories I have for sale in my shop.
One thing that you should know about me is that I rarely use a pattern when I make clothes. Patterns give me the heebie jeebies and make me all nervous and sweaty. I’d rather figure out how to make something on my own, and measure it to my body so that I get it to fit just how I want.
Pinwheel Skirt Tutorial
Lets get started….
You will need:
-
2 yards of fabric (make sure you chose fabric that hangs nicely. I used a linen for this one)
-
(optional): 4 yards of lace or cute trim
-
Zipper
I’ll give you the step-by-step instructions using my measurements, but just remember to substitute your own measurements.
(*note: s.a = seam allowance)
Waistband:
1. Measure the entire circumference of your waist
2. Add 1” to the length for a 1/2” seam allowance per side.
3. My waistband was 3” thick, but you can decide how thick you want it to be. Add the thickness that you want plus 1” to the width for a 1/2” seam allowance for the top and bottom.
4. Cut 2 waistbands with these measurements.
My waistband measured:
1. Measure the length at the bottom of where you want your waistband to hit down to your knees.
2. Measure your waist at the bottom of there you want your waistband to hit. Divide this number by 4. There will be 2 separate back panels that meet up in the middle of your back, so this will give us the measurements for the width of those 2 panels.
3. Each panel will have a pleat, so you will need to add 8” to the width of each of the two back panels.
4. Add 1” to the width of each panel for a ½” seam allowance per side.
5. Add 1 ½” to the length of each panel for a ½” seam allowance on top and 1” hem on the bottom.
My 2 back panels each measured: 18”W x 22 ½”L
Width- 9” + 8” (for pleat) + 1” (for ½” s.a. per side) = 18”
1. Measure the front portion of your waist at the bottom of where you want your waistband to hit.
2. For the bottom width of the front piece, add 5” so that it flares slightly at the bottom.
3. Add 1” to the width of your front piece for a ½” seam allowance per side.
4. Add 1 ½” to the length for a ½” seam allowance on top and 1” hem on the bottom. (this length should be the same length as your two back panels.)
My front piece measured:
16” top width, 21” bottom width x 22 ½” L
Top width- 15” + 1” (for ½” s.a. per side) = 16”
Bottom width- 15” + 5” + 1” (for ½” s.a. per side) = 21”
You will need 4 triangles for the front ruffles on the skirt. The easiest way to do this is to cut out 2 rectangles and then cut them diagonally.
The long straight side of the triangle needs to be a few inches longer than the length of the skirt, because it will be tucked up into the hem.
The width of the top of each triangle needs to be about 1 ½ times the width of the front of the skirt.
For my triangles:
I cut 2 rectangles that measured 23” W x 26” L.
· To get the width, I took the width of the front of my skirt, 16”, and added 7”.
· To get the length, I took the length of the skirt, 22 ½, and added about 4”)
Then I cut each of them on the diagonal, giving me 4 triangles the same size.
1. Sew the 2 waistbands together along the top with a ½” s.a. Press seams open, place wrong sides together, and iron flat. Set aside.
2. Take 2 of your triangles and place one on top of the other so that all sides meet up. Sew a ¼” s.a. along the side and the diagonal, leaving the top section open. Repeat this step with the remaining 2 triangles.
*note: I accidentally sewed the top section of the triangle instead of the side, so don’t follow my example.
3. Miter the corners of the triangles. Flip both triangles inside out so that the right sides face out and iron flat.
4. Take the top corners of your two triangles (where the shorter edge and the diagonal meet), and fold them back 5 ½”. Set aside.
5. Take your 2 back panels for the skirt. Along the top of the width of your first panel, place a mark 3” in from the left side of your fabric. Then mark 11” in from that same side.
6. With your second panel, do the same thing except place a mark 3” in from the right side. Then mark 11” in from that same side.
7. Fold each back panel so that the 2 marks on each panel meet to create a pleat. Iron flat only at the top of the pleat and pin in place.
8. Sew along the top of each pleated panel ¼” away from the top to secure the pleat. Set aside.
9. Take your 2 triangles and pin the long sides of each triangle to the sides of the front skirt piece. Make sure all top and side edges line up.
10. Mark the center point on the top of the front skirt piece, and pin each top corner of your triangles in the middle.
11. Now with all of the excess fabric in your triangles, create 3 pleats about 2” apart. I had enough fabric to tuck under each pleat 1 ½”.
12. Create 2-3 tiny pleats with the top two small triangles. Mine were only tucked under ½ – ¼ inches.
13. Sew along the top of the front portion of the skirt with a ¼” seam. This will connect the triangles to the front of the skirt and hold the pleats in place.
14. Line up the front section with the 2 back sections, with right sides together. Remember that the sides of the back panels are the furthest away from the pleat. Pin both sides together and sew with a 1/2″ s.a. Stop sewing when you get 5” from the bottom of the dress.
15. Move the bottom of the triangles out of the way, and hem the skirt by folding under ½ ”, then ½ ” again.
16. Fold the bottom ends of the triangle under the skirt, letting the triangles hang 1” longer than the hem. Pin in place.
18. Sew the side seams together with a ½” s.a. and serge or zigzag stitch along the side seams to keep from fraying. Do the same thing to each side of what will be the back center seam.
19. Open up the waistband and pin one side of the waistband all along the top of the skirt, with right sides together. The opening of the waistband will be in the center of the back, lining up with the center of the two back panels.
21. Flip the waistband over so that the right side is facing out and iron flat. Fold the remaining raw edge under 1/4″ and sew around the bottom and the top of the waistband very close to the edge to give a finished look.
22. Now it is time to insert your zipper. Sew the back of the skirt together (right sides together) with a ½” seam, but remember to switch to a basting stitch the length of your zipper when you get to the top.
23. Insert your zipper. I used this tutorial.
Voila!! Your Pinwheel Skirt is now complete!
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Amy says
Amazing Leanne! I love it! You are so talented. Think I might try to recreate it for little Ava.
Amy
Cold Oatmeal and Purple Cows says
That is killer! I think I need one of those for the first day of school this year.
Stefan en Hedwig says
What an amazing design!!!
I just think is is beautiful!! For me as a starting sewer, I must find myself a coach and make this one for myself!
Congrats on the design and THANKS for sharing!
Warm regards from the Netherlands
Rachel says
So cute! Love the color too!
Celeste says
just an FYI… diameter is the length across the middle of a circle, circumference is that length around a circle. I think you mean for people to measure around their waists … so you need to measure the circumference.
Dianne Fincham says
At the top, in point 1. of waistband – she actually says measure the circumference around your waist. Not diameter.
Kari @ Ucreate says
Absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!! Thanks so much for sharing this on Ucreate today!
Adventures in Dressmaking says
Very fun! Skirts are so great, since you totally DON’T need a paper pattern for them–this is a creative twist!
Christie says
This is so adorable! And one of my top things to make on my list now. Thanks for the tutorial!
Emily says
What a fun skirt! It looks great on you!
Mrs.B says
What a CUTE skirt! Thanks for the lesson!
Kadybug says
This skirt is super cute! And My favorite tutorial to date!
lorchick @ ON{thelaundry}LINE says
uh, WOW. What a great tutorial! I’m a little (ha!) too pregnant for anything like this to work for me right now, but I’m definitely going to adapt this to make for my 3 year old! I can’t resist such a cute project!
Happy Together says
I must make one! Lovely!
lori says
very, very cute! I absolutely love it! Thanks for sharing!!!
Kate says
Super cute! Maybe I will have to try to make myself a cute skirt too. 🙂
Stephanie says
That is amazing! i adore the vintage feel of this skirt. I wish I knew how to sew. I may have to send this to my mother in law! Do you know how to change proportions to do a little girl’s skirt??
casserole says
Oh. WOW!! Your skirt is utterly FABULOUS!!! I linked to your tutorial over at Craft Gossip Sewing.
–Anne
Kathryn says
Great tutorial, I’m definitely going to give this a whirl!
Wendy says
I like this skirt but worry a girl with hips couldn’t pull it off. My 3 yr. old would look adorable though!
michelle@somedaycrafts says
This is gorgeous! I will be featuring it at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com today.
Tricia says
super cute. I need to try it, I am just not sure that I’ll look quite so cute wearing it.
Hands to Work, Hearts to God says
Wow! That is super creative! Never seen that style before! Patsy from
HeARTworks
Rachel Barlow says
Love it Leanne! You are amazing!!
Rachel@oneprettything.com says
Wow, this is stunning! I love it and want one right now! Thanks so much for the tutorial, I’ll be linking.
Big and Little with Odd Socks says
Waht a great skirt and thanks for the lesson. I think a couple of these will definately be found in my wardrobe this spring.
Kelly says
This is seriously cute! Thanks so much for sharing!
Jen Ell says
Gorgeous Skirt
Upsy Daisy Creations says
Love, love. LOVE!
Endrina says
Wow…absolutely gorgeous! Thanks for sharing your tutorial:)
Jenny says
Holy Moly! I think this is my favorite skirt tutorial I have ever seen! I HAVE TO MAKE THIS! Thank you so much! It looks like it would be really flattering on any shape. Awesome!
the Cupcake Goddess says
Totally lovely! Oh I adore the color it was done up in and the trim is just such a great detail! Gorgeous!
xoxo,
Sunni
Sew Sweet Handmade says
What an amazing tutorial!! That skirt is absolutely beautiful and looks amazing on you by the way! i am very keen to make myself one of these 🙂
mommyofdallas says
Love the wide waist bands on your skirts. Very slimming! This one is beautiful!
NIC ALLEN says
I have a question: where do you start and stop the trim on the triangles? I didn’t see how to do that.
Madeleine Macy says
the dress and skirt is really pretty. you look great!
http://www.apparelnbags.com/champion/index.htm
Dianne Fincham says
A lovely skirt, different, and fun. Looking forward to having a go at this. Thank you for sharing it with us.