Paper bag skirt tutorial

You may have seen in this post the other day that I made a paper bay skirt for a friends girls birthday, I also made one for my little girl too. I made this one first and created a tutorial for you as my practice one and I'm sooo thrilled with how it turned out! The other day when miss E wore it to church there were so many lovely compliments from many people so now you can make one for your little one, I think I'm even going to make one for myself (may as well, Its quick, easy, looks great and I never seem to make myself things so why not hey!?)

Would you like to make one for your little cutie!?

What you'll need:

fabric (depending on the size you want to make as to how much you'll need)

thread

elastic (around 1"  wide)

Ribbon or bias tape to make a tie
scraps for tabs

1. Cut a rectangle piece of fabric that is (waist measurement x 2) x (length you would like it to be + 5"). Mine ended up being 40"x18" to fit a small nearly 9 month old (she fits 3-6 month clothing). I made mine quite long so it would fit for longer because of the stretch waist. These measurements would fit up to size 6-12 months I'm guessing if you want to use them, If you want a fuller skirt for this age add a little extra to the long edge that will become where you will gather it in with elastic.

2. Fold your skirt so that right sides are facing and short edges are parallel to the fold. Sew down the length (parallel to the fold) using a 1/2" seam allowance. You will now have a tube. *this seam will become the back of your skirt*

3. Fold and Iron down around the top of your skirt (tube)1/4" and then fold and Iron over another 1/4". Sew down your ironed piece (like a hem). *This is the start of your waistband*

4. Fold down 3" from the top (where the hem is), Iron and secure with pins (You could fold down 3 1/2- 4 inches instead if you are making a larger size and would like the paper bag look more pronounced, just add the extra 1/2-1" to dimentions before cutting).  Place your elastic on top leaving 1/4" next to your hem line and marking 1/4" from the elastic on the other side all the way around.

5. Sew fabric together along your drawn line.

6. Sew along your hemmed stich neatly (starting from the back near your seam) leaving around 1 1/2" at the back seam for your elastic.

7. Cut your elastic to fit the waist of your recipient.

8. Attatch a pin to the end of your elastic and thread though your casing ensuring you do not bring all the elastic through. You can secure with a pin at the end to ensure it doesn't come through.

9. Once your have brought the elastic all the way through sew ends together backstitching a number of times to secure. Sew your oponing closed.

10. Hem the bottom of your skirt by folding and ironing over 1/2" then 1/2" again. Pin and sew.

You could be finished at this point if you like and do not wish to have a tie However I thought it would look even cuter with the tie.

11. Cut 2 pieces of fabric 1 1/2" x  4 1/2". Fold 2 long edges into the middle and iron. Fold in half again, iron and pin. Sew side down the open side co close up then sew down the other side. Repeat for second tab.

12. Measure where each side is (from the back seam) and place the tab piece going up towards the top of skirt (as shown) and stitch down just above the elastic casing.

13. Fold down the tab and tuck the end under just under the elastic casing (as shown) and stitch down under by putting the presser foot under (can be a bit awkward). You caould also stitch it down from the top by still tucking the ends under.

14. I also didn't have any thick ribbon for the tie so I made my own by getting two long pieces of thick flat bias binding the length I needed to make the tie and sewing them together wrong sides together down both sides and tucking the ends in and sewing down. 

Thread the tie through your tabs and your set to go!!

It's hard to get good pictures when your little girl is so active...

P.S. If any of the directions need clarifying please let me know and I'll see if I can word it better.