I want to make a skirt for me--updated w/ another ?

[Therese's Mommy]

Oh my, I am in desperate need for clothes this summer. I have decided I am not comfortable wearing shorts anymore (for various reasons) and would like to just wear skirts full time. I would rather just make up about 4 or so than go out and try to buy some. I just want something simple. I want it to be long (just above my ankle, which actually isn't long since I am 4'11"), flattering (I am carrying about 20 extra lbs right now), elastic waist (I haven't done zippers yet and I want this to be a fast project not a learning experience), and comfy.

I know it is probably going to be as easy as sewing a couple of panels together, but can anyone just give me a quick overview of what I need to know, such as if my waist is a 26 (YEAH RIGHT!), and my hips are 34 (I know mine aren't, but whatever), how many panels of 44" fabric do I need. And is it just a matter of sewing those together and then putting the elastic in and I am done (well I know I have to hem it)?

Thanks for any suggestions. I am hoping to hit JoAnn's this afternoon...wouldn't you love to give me reason to buy more fabric??!!?!!

Beth

[ms.shell]

elastic waist skirts are super simple. If you want to make it long, you need to have either a lot of fabric at the bottom or else a slit so you can walk! I like to cut my skirts in an a-line shape so there wont be too much bulk at the waist.
I just saw a free pattern for a patchwork skirt that is easy and cute:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/free-p...rt/2010/03/29/
Good luck!

[Therese's Mommy]

Originally Posted by ms.shell

elastic waist skirts are super simple. If you want to make it long, you need to have either a lot of fabric at the bottom or else a slit so you can walk! I like to cut my skirts in an a-line shape so there wont be too much bulk at the waist.
I just saw a free pattern for a patchwork skirt that is easy and cute:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/free-p...rt/2010/03/29/
Good luck!

That looks so cute, exactly the sort of thing I am looking for. Unfortunately I can't get the pdf to load, even through Google docs there is a problem

[rainbowmoon]

Here's a couple of links to free patterns. I love making skirts! SO easy!

http://www.threadbanger.com/post/877...kirt-tutorials

http://www.fmfcorp.com/familyspot/sewing.html#skirts

[akwifeandmomma]

Deconstructed skirts are easy and fun. You can repurpose your shorts or jeans into cute skirts!

http://www.savvyseams.com/clothing/jeanskirt.php

http://www.craftstylish.com/item/153...-a-funky-skirt

You could cut them off even, just below the fly, and sew tiers of fabric for a long, prairie-style skirt.

[icxcnika]

A lady here put up a really nice tutorial for a simple A-line skirt on flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/princes...7594277833787/

And here's a really nice one with ruffles, a little more complex but still simple as far as skirts go: http://www.theanticraft.com/archive/.../petticoat.htm

I know it's more like knee-length, but the savvyseams tutorial that akwifeandmomma linked to is fab.

Hope you get lots of great ideas here...sewing skirts is so much fun!

[Therese's Mommy]

Thanks for the suggestions. I found one that I liked on one of the pages someone link. Basically it was a pattern using a twin flat sheet. I didn't use a sheet, but used those instructions to make myself one. Super easy! Now I would like to add pockets to my future projects, if possible. Any good tutes for adding pockets in the side seam of a skirt? Thanks!

Beth

[jewellz]

Subbing to remember to make some skirts for myself for same reasons as OP as soon as we get money for fabric.