Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Skort Stack


Summer is coming and that means summer camp season - what does the fashionable yet playground saavy fashionista wear this year? Why a stylish skort of course! I have been busy making these. I made a couple last summer and they were so simple to make, I decided that this summer I wouldn't buy a stitch of off-the-rack ones for dear daughter. I've been working in the sweatshop - err I mean the sewing room for 2 days and here is the result. I made 8 of these suckers - I think that should do her for the summer don't you think?

My daughter actually picked out the fabric combos for these first 4 ~ she did a great job don't you think? I had so much fun making them, I decided to do a few extra. I would keep going, but really how many skorts can one girl need?

Look at these cute ones with Lila Tueller's Soiree fabric (really lovin' this fabric)


Ok so you want to know how to make these?

Measure the length of the finished skort you would like. I usually just grab a skirt or something that fits well and is the right length. For mine the total length is around 13" from hem to waist.

Decide how you will tier the skort - will it be one layer or two or more? I have done a few styles here, but the basic style is this one: So for a typical size 8 skort, I make the bottom tier around 9.5" wide, the middle tier is 3.25" wide and the ribbed waistband is 4" wide. (None of these measurements include seam allowance, so you will have to add that). I usually cut the bottom tier 63" long and the middle tier is 30" long. The ribbed top tier is a bit shorter, usually around 24-25" long. If you need a different size, just adjust the measurements to suit your child.

Sew the strips into circles by sewing along the side seam. Gather the bottom tier to fit onto the middle tier and sew the seam. Topstitch the seam on the outside to secure it. Hem the bottom of the skirt.

Shorts - I used a basic shorts pattern (eg. Simplicity 2628), you can find whichever one you like - just needs to be basic elastic-waisted shorts - no bells and whistles. I sewed them up completely except for the waistband. Once they are done, you will insert them into the skirt and baste the top of the shorts to the top of the middle skirt tier. Be sure to mark the front of the skort/shorts at this point - so you don't put the shorts in backwards - or have the seams of the waistband in front. With me still?

Now sew the ribbed waistband into a circle as well and place it over the top of the skirt on the outside. The knit ribbing stretches so you can get it to fit on the middle tier without having to gather it. Sew a length of 1" wide elastic into a circle (cut it to fit the waist of your recipient, 25" on mine). Now place the elastic over the ribbed knit and fold the knit up so that it encases the elastic. Sew the waist seam stretching the ribbing/elastic as you go. Turn it all out and topstitch on the top edge of the middle tier (folding the seam allowance down on the inside). And you are done!! How easy was that? You can try varying the way you cut up the tiers to change the look.

In this version I've added another fabric along the bottom tier.Here is a 3 tiered version.

Use different fabrics for the waistband and the middle and bottom tiers.
Have fun sewing these up - you'll find it's a bit addictive.

25 comments:

Canyon Girl said...

Those skorts are awesome!!!! You rock!

Robin said...

how do you make and attach the short part?
Not that I will sew but maybe I can talk mom into a few!

sarah said...

I love A's picks!! And they all look great. I'm with Robin though, at what point do you attach the shorts?

Renae said...

Awesome as always!!!!

Renae said...

AND thanks for the directions. I'm afraid of knit but I might try these. They are all adorable!!!!

Caroline ~ TrilliumDesign said...

LOL Ok i forgot the shorts - kind of important in a skort. Added it in ladies - thanks for noticing that important detail.

Anonymous said...

Those are so cute! Are you going to add some to your Etsy store?

Caroline ~ TrilliumDesign said...

I don't think so. We are getting ready to renovate our floors and my sewing room will be shut down for a few weeks - so no etsy sewing for me :(

Karin said...

wonderfull.

greetings karin

willow and moo said...

They are all great! Your DD is going to be the best dressed at summer camp!

Regina of SandDance Designs said...

Thank you for sharing, I love these and can't wait to try a pair.

Juls said...

oh awesome!! My 3 yr old loves to dress girly, but hasn't learned to keep her little legs closed up when she sits or plays. This will be perfect for heart attack prevention at church :) Thanks so much for sharing.

cheryl said...

Cute! I will whip some up! Thanks for your comment on my blog. :-)

catt410 said...

Cute love them. Did you use cotton fabric for the skit part or is that a knitt to?

Caroline ~ TrilliumDesign said...

catt410 - they are cotton woven fabric. Only the waistband is knit.

EverythingIveGot said...

I love it! Thanks again for helping me out! (used the feliz tute and have it recommended and linked in my blog!)

KiraLynB said...

I am so excited to try this. I am hoping it works with knits too?
I just got a serger, and this seems like a fun knit project for my serger. Thank you!!!

Cindy said...

These are so cute! I'm doing the same with my monkey's skirts for the summer since she hates pants. Knit shorts underneath. I like the knit waistband idea, hadn't thought of that. And the fabric combos are lovely!

Caroline ~ TrilliumDesign said...

KiraLynB, I see no reason why this wouldn't work just as well for knits. Happy sewing!

Anonymous said...

what a great tutorial! I am SO going to make these for my girls. I really love the fabrics you picked too.
:) Missy

Aubrey Leong said...

What a great idea!! I love these. Thanks for sharing!

Jodz said...

These are so fab. Thank you for sharing. Even though we here in New Zealand are at the start of winter, it's great to get some ideas going for the summer season.

Heather said...

Great tutorial.. do you use a shirt bottom for the waist part?? I saw a tutorial about using a stretch skirt to use as the waist part.

see my blog for lots of free tutorials: http://callmecraftymomma.blogspot.com/

Susie and Cody said...

Where do you get your knit ribbed waistbands?

Caroline ~ TrilliumDesign said...

I use ribbed knit yardage from the fabric store. Usually 1x1 ribbed knits in cotton or jersey knits in cotton lycra and cut to the dimensions I need.