Tribal Stamp High-Waisted Skirt Tutorial

Today I'm posting a skirt tutorial as Part of Skirting the Issue, a campaign designed to put all of our sewing enthusiasm to good use! Liz and Elizabeth, the girls behind Project Run and Play and Simple Simon and Co. have rounded up a whole bunch of sewing bloggers who have each contributed a skirt tutorial. What we hope is that you'll whip up a few, and donate them to girls in foster care. Please read all about the details here. And remember, there are tutorials being posted at both Project Run and
Play and Simple Simon and Co. so be sure and check them both out!

I wanted to create something that would be a little trendy and fun for older to girls to receive, since I know there is a great need in that age group. So I came up with this tribal stamped high-waisted skirt, and used neon paint on a neutral fabric for my design.

You could obviously skip the stamping part, and just use a fun graphic print, or just stamp the hemline, but the stamping didn't take long. Just have fun with it and use your imagination!

To Make This Skirt:

Refer to this chart and decide what size(s) you will be making.  For this skirt you will need Main Skirt Fabric, Waistband Fabric, and Thick (2 or 3") Elastic in the following measurements:

Main Skirt= Waist Size multiplied by 3 x Knee-length Measurement + 3 5/8" 

Waistband Fabric= Waist Size + 12 (Little Girls) or Waist Size + 16 (Teens) x Width of Elastic +  1 1/2"

Elastic (2" wide for Little Girls & 3" wide for Teens) x Waist Measurement

I ALWAYS ALWAYS rip my fabric when I am sewing anything that is rectangular and using a woven fabric. It will make your life so much easier! Rather than trying to cut a straight even line across a long width of fabric, just rip along the grain and you know the whole piece will be perfectly even.  

To Stamp Fabric:

Start by sewing together as many pieces (of pre-washed, dried and pressed fabric) as you need to get the correct width of fabric for your main skirt. Lay it right side up and stamp whatever design you like. I used a simple triangle to create this design. For details on the technique and supplies used to create this stamped fabric go here.

Remember that is doesn't have to be perfect!! Its supposed to look hand stamped, so imperfections are part of the design.  

 

Sewing The Skirt:

Stitch and serge (or zig-zag) any side seams together to make a tube

Press bottom edge of skirt toward the wrong side, 1/2"

Then fold up 3" and press again (I love to use a 3" hem because it gives great weight to the skirt and can be let down as needed for growth)

Edge-stitch along the top fold using a contrasting thread if desired, to complete the hem

Sew two rows of basting stitches, 5/8" from the top edge of skirt, and 1/4" inside of that

Sew waist band together, with right sides together, using 5/8" seam. Press seam open

Pull basting threads to gather the main skirt until it is the same width as the waistband. Make sure to distribute the gathers evenly.

Pin the waistband inside the skirt so that the right side of the waist band faces the wrong side of the skirt, and the edges align.

 

Stitch the waistband to the skirt using 5/8" seam allowance

 

Fold the top edge of waistband 5/8" toward the wrong side and press

Trim the seam allowance to 1/4" ish

Fold the waistband over seam allowance and pin in place so it just covers the seam-line. Edge stitch the waistband, leaving a big enough gap to thread elastic through.

Thread elastic through the waistband (use a safety pin to guide it)

Stitch ends of elastic together with seam toward inside of skirt

Pull to enclose the elastic

Finish by edge stitching opening, using care not to catch elastic

Done!

And if you are interested, stay tuned for a tutorial on how I made this Holst & Lee inspired necklace...