LongSkirts.net

How to make a patchwork skirt?

Q: I love, love, love those fabulous hippy patchwork skirts for the summer and have several- but they are pretty expensive to buy. I would love to learn how to sew them myself- the tiered variety, or the kind with long panels, elastic or drawstring waist. Can anyone point me in the right direction? I just want to make some for myself & my daughter.

A: My mother made me and my sister some the last time they were in fashion. Try to get several kinds of fabric that are the same weight and the same material (all cotton or all polyester or all the same mix of materials.) Or use any piece of fabric at hand and accept that the skirt will not be perfect, (ours did deteriorate in different speeds.) Use any pattern for a skirt you like, cut it in many smaller parts, (two vertical cuts for each panel and two or three horizontal cuts in each strip will do nicely) and cut each next bit of pattern in a different material. First sew the bits together again in strips, than the strips in panels, which you then sew as if it where whole-cloth panels. For the tiered skirts, If you know how to rimpel the edge of a piece of fabric, you do not even need a pattern. (I find it hard to describe, but I am sure they tell you in each pattern for tiered skirts.) For the top part you take the fabric a little wider than your (daughters) hips, the next halve that again (or more) and the same amount for each next. You can do as few as 2 tiers, stitched to waist panel, or as many as 6, so each strip of fabric should be 1/2 or 1/6 or whatever you want of the length of the completed skirt. Make a wide seem at the top, for your drawstring or elastic, or sew to a wide elastic band. (Clothes kind!) Have a good look at the skirts you have, to see how they are made!! Success and enjoy them, (I did then, as did my sister.)

How to wear a skirt with artificial pleats ?

Q: Okay I've a 42 inch long 4-tiered skirt with elastic waist. Because of the elastic waist i can either hold the elastic line with 2 of my fingers from the back and bunch it up at the front and the other way around as well. I was wondering if I'm supposed to bunch up the artificial pleats that are made when I bunch up the elastic all right at the front or behind, or divide them in both the sides to look normal. Note: with all the pleats at the front when I bend down a bit it gets easy to get a view of my pantyline.

A: Usually you see them bunched at one side as the "seam line" but you can do it on both sides to, as you said, even it out. I would probably even it out if the bunching looks bulky, that way it is more natural looking.

What Shirts With These Skirts....?

Q: I was wondering what kind of shirts go along with long skirts with a lot of details and elastic waists? http://cgi.ebay.com/Fantasy-Lace-Embroider-White-LONG-SKIRT-S-M-L-XL-1X_W0QQitemZ110355896130QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_CSA_WC_Skirts?hash=item110355896130&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1240|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A0|293%3A2|294%3A50 http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Pink-Fantasy-Lace-Embroider-Skirt-S-M-L-XL-1X-22_W0QQitemZ160318027563QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_CSA_WC_Skirts?hash=item160318027563&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1240|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A3|294%3A50 http://cgi.ebay.com/Fantasy-Silky-Patchwork-Hem-Lace-Embroider-Pink-Skirt_W0QQitemZ160318061948QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_CSA_WC_Skirts?hash=item160318061948&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1240|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A3|294%3A50

A: I would go with a solid color tank top. Any color will go with the white, maybe a bold color (ex. orange, hot pink, coral, etc). As far as the other skirts, I would go with a solid color that is in the skirt. If I remember correctly, the 2nd skirt was a solid color. If so, maybe you could do a white tank with it or a white spaghetti strap shirt.

Can I sew a simple long skirt without a pattern?

Q: Ok, so I'm going to admit it - I am fat (3XL). Abit on the goth/medieval/gypsy side of fashion. I want some long skirts and I dont want to pay $80 for each skirt. I like the crushed velvet look and in dark colours. how hard is it to make a boring skirt - with NO shaping, just really long with an elastic waist? Is it as simple as just buying some material cutting an ample amount , hemming the bottom, sewing up a section at top for the wide elastic to sit in and thread the elastic through, then sewing it all together? Or do I need to go looking for a pattern? I've never used a pattern before and I have only really ever made curtains and quilt covers before. Do you think I could get away with it? please help!

A: well that should be fairly simple to do, especially if you've done curtains and quilt covers... i cut up and re-sew a bunch of my clothes and its pretty easy...ive never made a skirt, but i dont think you would need a pattern... i would think all you would need to do is cut out a simple rectangle shape and sew the two sides together, maybe im wrong, but thats what i would do??? sounds pretty easy to me. :) ............................ (but after you cut the fabric out, before you sew the skirt together, i would just pin the elastic down where you want it, and then just fold the fabric over the elastic, and sew...i think that would be easier than having to thread the elastic through)

When sewing a toddler skirt, how long should the elastic be for the waist?

Q: I'd like to know the general length elastic should be for the waists of: * an 18 month old... * 2T size * 3T size and * 4T size Thanks, sewing experts! :o)

A: According to the eBay "Guide to Understanding Toddler's Clothing Sizes", a 2T has a 20 inch waist 3T = 20.5 inches 4T = 21 inches When I sew, I always make the elastic at least an inch longer to allow for overlap to sew the ends together