U Create

It's a good day to create!

8 Jul

Starboard Skirt Tutorial

Hi we are Elizabeth & Elizabeth, two girls who married brothers and ended up with the same name.  Although on the blog we go by Elizabeth & Liz.  We are both stay-at-home-mommas to 5 kids (almost 6) between us.  We love to craft,  thrift for fabric, and sew–with an undying love for making things (especially dresses) from vintage patterns.  There is just something so fun about taking old, classic children’s patterns and making them modern and fresh again.

Another thing about us….we LOVE to make skirts.  Probably because they are an easy afternoon project that can be finished quickly and simply….and because there are a million possibities. The inspiration for this Starboard Skirt came from this darling one that I saw on Pinterest.  Isn’t it amazing? Truly.  And you should see the Fall maxi skirt version….are you kidding? In silk. A.maz.ing.

source
And here is the little girl version that I envisioned from that amazing skirt….such a fun summer skirt.  And the perfect blend of vintage and modern.  Right up our alley.

Are you ready to make one?  This is a great sewing project for a beginners.  (I promise.) So, if you have a sewing machine that is collecting dust in your closet of doom— now is the time to get it out!  Every little girl (or even bigger girl) needs a Starboard Skirt this summer (or fall, or winter). One note about fabrics.  I think that these skirts look cuter with a thicker, heavier-weight fabric.  This yellow chevron print is actually a home decor fabric, and is a heavy-weight cotton twill.  The heavier the fabric the more structure this skirt will have.  Do your measurements below to figure out how much fabric you will need.  Also, remember to wash your fabrics first, and in the case of bold colors and whites combined  (especially reds) put some salt in the washing water to keep the color from bleeding out.  You will also need a piece of elastic.  I used 1 inch, but you could use 3/4 inch just as easily.  (The following measurements will tell you how much you need.)

Ok, first you have to do some math….but I promise it’s not hard.

*Measure your little girl’s waist.  (My little girl wears a 5/6 but she has a 20 inch waist, more a size 4.) *Divide this measurement in half.  (Mine is 10 inches, one 10 inch measurement for the skirt front and one for the skirt back.) Now you need to do the math for the front piece.

*Take your front skirt starting measurement (10 inches) and add 8 inches for the front inverted pleat plus 1 inch for seam allowances (they will be 1/2 inch seams on each side).  (My front panel is now 19 inches.)  Find the length you want plus 2 inches for a casing and hem.*Take your back skirt starting measurement (mine was 10 inches) and multiply it by 1.5 for the elastic back plus 1 inch for seam allowances.  (Mine skirt back  is now 16 inches).  Use the same length measurement.One more measurement…take your starting measurement (mine was 10 inches) and subtract 2 inches to get the measurement for your elastic.  (Mine is now 8 inches of 1-inch elastic.) Now that you have your pieces cut, here is what you do.

Easy enough….now go, run to the fabric store…grab some fabric and GET sewing.  And trust me, I apologize in advance when you are up sewing a million skirts at 1 a.m.  I truly am sorry.

Thanks for having us Kari.  Ucreate is one of the first blogs I check every morning and the last at night.  It truly is the best of the best..and we are flattered (and super intimidated) to be here. Happy Starboard Skirt making! P.S.

If you need to see a million more pictures of some Starboard Skirts, head to our blog today.  (I warned you that they were addicting, and we can’t stop making them either!) Need a preview….

                                                                          And in denim…ahhh.
Thanks again Kari!!!

 

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Comments

  4. KJ@letsgoflyakite says

    I have been following Simple & Simon Co.’s blog for awhile now and love their take on sewing clothes. This is a versatile skirt that really takes advantage of heavier weight fabric.

    reply to this comment >

  11. Stacey says

    So cute! Do you have any skirt patterns/tutorials for people with a small waist and wide hips? Seriously, it’s impossible to find anything flattering. This would make me look like a tent!

    reply to this comment >

  18. Amy says

    What a cute skirt! And it does sound really simple. For certain, my little girl and I will now have matching Starboard skirts. Thanks for sharing!

    Take care,
    Amy
    so-very-sweet.blogspot.com

    reply to this comment >

  23. bridget baldwin says

    I just made this skirt and it is hands down the cutest skirt i’ve ever made! Your tutorial was so easy to understand! My skirt turned out lovely! I will definitely have to check out your blog to see what other tutorials you have!

    reply to this comment >

  26. Holladays says

    So cute thanks for the tutorial! I made one for my daughter and on for myself! I omitted the elastic for the one for myself and added a zipper in the side and it worked out perfectly! (I’m sorta anti elastic on adults) I just made it an inch and a half smaller so with the zipper it would fit snuggley. I think its my new favorite skirt. Thanks!!

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