I know if you have kids, they have gone back to school now. Part of our getting ready for the new school year involved making backpacks for our American Girl Dolls. I also, finally, decided to sew something for my girls. I have an easy maxi skirt pattern for girls for you today.
Many of you have told me that making kids clothes is easier than doll clothes and that I really should make something for them. I finally listened or maybe I felt guilty enough that I hadn't made anything for the girls and finally made something for them. Of course, I didn't leave the dolls out, so I'll show you the matching skirt I made for the dolls later this week.
I searched the internet for free patterns for a girls maxi skirt. I found one or two, but they weren't very specific and/or didn't have different sizes. I'm fine with trying all kinds of new things and things I've never done before, but I am very much so a pattern type of girl. If I tried to make it up myself, I envision all kinds of disasters….pattern is the way to go.
I found this super cute Girl's Amy Skirt over at Girl Charlee Fabrics (if you click this link and sign up for an account, I get some type of referral reward…thanks!). It was $8. I know that isn't crazy cheap, but since it is for sized 2 to 16, I figure I can get more than one use out of it. $8 is also a ton better than what I would pay for a pattern at the fabric store.
The pattern is well written and super easy. There were only two things I found a little frustrating.
The pattern just says that you need between 1 1/2 and 3 yards of fabric depending on the size and whether or not you are doing the chevron pattern. I guessed (and the lady at Hobby Lobby told me what she thought I needed) that I would only need 1 1/2 yards for my size 7 not chevron pattern skirt and 2 yards for my size 12 not chevron pattern skirt. I barely made it with fabric on both of them. I had to be careful with laying the pattern out and cutting. I view this as both a positive and negative. The positive is that I have no extra fabric to add to my stash, whew! The negative is that it was a touch challenging to get the cuts I needed.
I'm not a super patient person for some things of detail. Hemming is one of them. I used what I am calling the cheater's method of hemming. I didn't cut super even (I don't have a rotary cutter). When it came time to hem, I just pinned the bottom up to where it looked even with the natural curve of the bottom of the skirt. Can you see in the picture above, how it looks mostly straight/ slightly curved?
). When it came time to hem, I just pinned the bottom up to where it looked even with the natural curve of the bottom of the skirt. Can you see in the picture above, how it looks mostly straight/ slightly curved?
Once I had my first step done, then I got more precise. I measured up 1/2 an inch all along the bottom of the skirt. Pinned it and lightly pressed it.
See the even hem line. No intense measuring involved. No having a child stand around wearing the skirt while I measure and pin etc. For this style skirt, my cheater's method works fine. At least in my opinion. My mom, who was in town when I made these skirts, was a tad appalled at my method. I don't think my kids or I have the patience for the proper method. I think I might purposefully poke them with pins when they start wiggling around…lol…just kidding (sort of). 😉
The skirts were super easy to make. The biggest thing I think I learned is that I should have modified the skirts when I cut and sewed them. That would be the beauty of making your own clothes after all, right? Both my girls, but especially Snowflake my older daughter, have narrow waists. I should have made the skirts the length of the size I wanted with the size of the waist that would fit them. Lesson learned! I could see how this would be so great to get them clothes that fit well around their waists.
I ended up having to add some elastic to Snowflake's skirt to make it fit. I sewed a pinched seam at the waist of Pumpkin's skirt. They still turned out just fine…just took me a little extra time to modify them. Like I said, I've learned to check this before hand next time and modify in the way I cut the fabric rather then need to alter later.
I also learned that kids (and Grandparents) get easily distracted during photo shoots. They saw a butterfly, but it lets you get a side view of the skirts, so yay for that!
The skirts and the hems are totally not perfect. We still love them. The girls say they are really comfortable and they really like wearing them. I think my girls look adorable.
The question is….will I make future clothes for my girls? The day I made these I said no, now I say maybe. I think I still prefer sewing doll clothes and things, but my girls liked that I made these so much, I would probably do it again for them.
Speaking of doll clothes, I made a matching maxi skirt for our American Girl Dolls. I'll be back later this week to show you that pattern.
How do you hem a skirt (or other article of clothing)? I would love to hear your methods. Maybe I can learn something for the next time.
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so cute. My husband makes fun of me when i sew for my girls. He says if I charged for my time that the clothes would be way more expensive than if I bought them. I just crack up. It is def. a labor of love for me. (and a slight lack of confidence that makes it take so long.)
Sew on!
Yay, your husband probably has a point, but if you love it…who cares, right? These skirts were super easy and quick…so maybe you could try them and the ratio would go down. 😉
Have fun and enjoy it no matter how long it takes…that’s our new motto!
KC
I think you did a great job! Who needs a rotary cutter anyway! Actually, I would not be able to do anything without my rotary cutter, so it’s really impressive that you were able to cut straight. That is something I cannot do! I have found too that my girls LOVE when I make them something. They are so proud to tell others, “Yeah, my Mom made it for me!” Makes me happy!
Thanks for sharing!
Gina
Well…no one said I cut straight at all. My scissors skills are pretty close to a Kindergartner…that is why I had to come up with my cheater method for hemming. I really need to get over my cheapness and buy a rotary cutter, but then I have no idea where I would store the big mat that you need to use it…so maybe not.
My girls seem to be pretty proud as well. That is fun! I bet you enjoy it as well.
Take care,
KC
Super cute! I’ve been making maxi dresses & skirts for our dolls.
Thanks! That sounds fun, too! I made some maxi skirts for our dolls as well. That post goes up tomorrow…yippee!
Take care,
KC
Awesome job!!! They look great!
Shelly
Thank you, Shelly!
KC
What adorable skirts KC, and really very simple! I would be thrilled if you have the chance to share this at our new Fall DIY Challenge – today we are linking up BLUE projects – old or new! Hop over to The Happy Housie to share yours! Hope to see ya there!
– Krista
Thanks, Krista! They were so simple to make…love that!
KC
How cute are these! I want one! I’d love for you to link your outfit to our Fall Clothing Party!!!
Thanks! I’m sure it wouldn’t be hard to make an adult sized one. 🙂
Take care,
KC
Great job with the maxi skirts, KC!!! I tend to eyeball the hem and just sew it without pinning if it’s small hem… 1/2″. If it’s a wider hem, then I’ll measure it.
Featured today, KC!
Thanks for your tip on how you hem. Thanks also for the feature! Have a great day!
KC
These skirts are absolutely adorable! Thanks for the linking back.
http://www.girlcharlee.com
Thanks! I had fun making the skirts for my girls and they have had fun wearing them. Thanks for the great pattern!