For the next skirt in my Easter sewing series- I went totally without pattern! I decided I wanted to make this one a longer style with a wide white waistband along the top and a ribbon bow accent.

I made another rectangle measuring 18” by the fabric width- 60”and sewed it into a tube. Again, I overlocked the edges and hemmed the bottom.

Then I made a wide, white waistband by taking a 30” by 5” piece, sewing the short ends together, and pressing it folded in half with the seam to the inside. The measurement of this piece is wide enough to go over her hips. I sewed a casing for the elastic and put it in, although I could not find elastic as wide as I wanted to it still twists a bit when she wears it.

I gathered the skirt part with a wide basting stitch and attached it to the waistband. I topstitched it- not very close to the edge, but it looked better on the wide waistband.
To put the bow on, I used two small seams to attach the middle of the ribbon to the waistband off to one side. And... TA DA! The perfect length for a not-so-modest 6yo!

Tomorrow's dress was the hardest but by far the CUTEST!!! Stay tuned!

I am going to start my Easter sewing series with the easiest of the skirts I made. First, however, I need to brag about my thriftiness! I found this heavy cotton material - it is a little stiffer than regular cotton- for $2.00 a yard for 60” width at Walmart. I also bought a yard of plain white cotton and some notions like elastic, ribbon, bias tape, and a zipper. Sadly, the fabric was the cheapest part!

My 4yo’s skirt was VERY simple to make! I sort of used the directions I found here. It called for making a simple tube of fabric from a rectangle made in the desired length by the whole 45” width… but mine was 60” width. SO I used double her waist- about 40” which seems to be a good way to figure a gathered skirt- double the waist. With her facing me, I measured the length I wanted and as per the directions I added 2” for elastic casing and hem. However, I have now learned that she takes after me more than I thought- she DOES have a butt! So it is shorter than I would have liked in the back and we will just put leggings under there from now on.

I made my 14” by 40” rectangle into a tube by sewing the short ends together and used my mini-serger to overlock the raw edges. Then I just sewed an elastic casing on the top by turning it down and sewing all the way around except for an opening to insert elastic. I put in elastic a little shorter than her waist and it gathers up nicely when it is all done.