For some reason our post about elastic band skirts lost their pictures, and because it was 3 years old, I thought I would post a new elastic band skirt post. 
Our new metallic elastic also has me wanting to make as many skirts as possible!
Wide elastic is amazing and there are so many options:

First let me say that there are multiple ways to sew wide elastic onto a skirt. 
A. Zig Zag Stitch
B.Two Step Zig Zag
D. Triple stitch zig zag. (really any type of zig zag)
E. Elastic thread. 
F. a way I haven't learned yet.

All of these ways are just as good as the others. The idea is just to keep the stretch in the elastic so you can easily get it on and off. 
The reason I like the metallic so much is because it is hard to see your top stitch. 
All of these methods have a top stitch. The least noticeable is the elastic thread. 

Cut out your fabric. 

You can use just about any kind of fabric: quilt cotton, seersucker, tulle, knit, corduroy, suede, you name it. 

Length:

Measure the length you want on your actual model if possible, then add an 1" for the hem. If you are using tulle, for example, a fabric you do not need to hem do not add the extra inch.
I am using 9" for 3T and 11" for 4T. For myself I would use 18-20" depending on the look. If possible use a rotary cutter and ruler for a quick smooth cuts. 

Width:

For the width of the fabric it depends on how gathered of a look you want. 
Measure around the waist or where you want the elastic to sit.
A straight look just add a few inches, 
A slightly gathered look add 1/2 of your measurement,
A very gathered look double your measurement (or just use the width of the fabric).
Super gathered triple your measurement. 

For the tulle skirt I just used the width of the fabric twice, meaning I cut out 11" all the way across twice. I actually think I could have done this 3 or 4 times to get more of a tutu look. 

The first step for all methods, make your skirt. 

1.  Sew short ends together to make one large loop with a .5" seam allowance.

2. Serge, zig zag or your favorite finishing stitch on the side seam and the top. 

It is very important that you finish the top.

 

3. Hem the bottom: Fold it over twice about 1/2". Honestly, you can just do whatever hem length you are comfortable with (pattern allows for up to 1") just make sure you topstitch the hem near the top of the fold in the back so you catch the underneath. For a smooth finish turn your stitch length up a notch.

Next Gather

4.Change your bobbin to a different color. 
Baste the top edge all the way around (or use your favorite gathering method) go past our first first stitch by 1" for an even gather all the way around. 
Using the longest stitch on your machine go around the top edge of the fabric using 1/4" seam allowance. Do this again at 5/8" seam allowance. If you are doing a small skirt you only need to go around once. The larger your skirt the more likely it is that you will break the thread while gathering. Two gathering lines will save you a headache so go ahead and do two. DO NOT BACKSTITCH! 

Sew on Elastic`

5. Change thread color...try to match your elastic as closely as possible. 

6: Sew elastic together by first zigzagging  the raw edge and sewing a straight stitch next to it. It is not a good idea to serge the elastic. You can but it is not good for your machine and the thread color might not match (yes I still do it from time to time). Just for good measure topstitch your elastic down to one side. 

7: Gather the skirt and pin to the elastic.
Holding the bobbin string (remember your different color bobbin thread), gather the skirt. I like to over gather then slowly pull it out while I match the skirt to the elastic. When pinning to the elastic it is good to match up a skirt seam with the elastic seam. If you've got two or more seams  just choose one of them. I like to pin the skirt about 2/3 of the way down from the top edge of the elastic, or you can line your 5/8" gathering line with the bottom of the elastic. You are pinning the right side of the skirt to the wrong side of the elastic.

8: Sew the elastic on.

ZIG ZAG METHODS:
You want to sew about 1/4" away from the bottom of the elastic.   If you think you will be stretching the elastic a lot, put two rows in.

 ELASTIC THREAD : now is the time to change your bobbin. You will also have to sew on the right side of the skirt. When using elastic thread you can use a straight stitch. Elastic thread is great because you get a clean look on the outside and a lot of stretch on the inside. Every machine uses elastic thread differently. I strongly suggest practicing on scraps. Your elastic thread should look straight after stitching NOT wavy. It has been my experience that on all machines you need with a drop in bobbin case you need to remove the stitch plate and put in the thread the old fashion way and bring the bobbin thread up the old fashion way as well.  Also if your machine has a fix or lock stitch use it instead of backstitching. If you do not, turn your stitch down as small as it will go to create a lockstitch. 

 
9: Cut your threads and take out any basting stitches. 

Taking out your basting stitches to keep the stretch in the elastic. 

Thats about it!!!
Love your skirt!

20 Patterns in 10 Weeks

Many of our customers may remember when Laura took on a sewers dream challenge this summer. She set a goal of completing 20 sewing patterns in the 10 week break she had from teaching high schoolers.

Sew Easy Elastic Skirt

I love quick projects and this one you can do in an hour no problem, with just a yard (or less) of fabric, and is custom fit to any body size. So, let's get started!


Step 1: Measure and Cut

Measure around the waist to get your waist measurement. To get your length measurement, measure from your belly button down to where you want the skirt to end. Usually, I can make this skirt for kids with just a half a yard or less  for adults you might  need one yard.

Cut the following piece of fabric and elastic:

Width =  Waist measurement X 2
(If you want a more gathered look multiply it by 3 or more if you want a less gathered look multiply it by 1.5)
Length = Length of skirt + 1 inch.
Elastic = waist measurement - 1 inch (so it is not too tight).

For example, I am using Braelyn's measurements. She wears a size 12 month snuggly and measures 20" around the waist. I want her skirt to be 9" long. So...
Width: 20" x 2 = 40"
Length: 9" + 1 = 10"
Elastic: 20" - 1 = 19"

If are using a chevron or an ombre that run the opposite way on the fabric you will need to cut two pieces and sew them together. If you using any other fabric you can just cut one long piece. If you are making a gathered adult skirt you may need 2 pieces.

Step 2: Sew ends together to make one large loop with a .5" seam allowance.
Because I am using the ombre dots I going to have cut 2 pieces and sew them together.

Step 3: Serge or Zig Zag all raw edges, including top and bottom. 

Step 4: Hem the bottom.

Fold it over twice about 1/4". Honestly, you can just do whatever hem length you are comfortable with (pattern allows for up to 1/2") just make sure you sew the hem near the top of the fold in the back so you catch the underneath. For a smooth finish turn your stitch length up a notch, a 3 or 3.5 on brother machines.

Step 5: Baste the top edge all the way around. 
Using the longest stitch on your machine go around the top edge of the fabric using 1/4" seam allowance. Do this again at .5" seam allowance. If you are doing a small skirt you only need to go around once. The larger your skirt the more likely it is that you will break the thread while gathering. Two gathering lines will save you a headache so go ahead and do two. DO NOT BACKSTITCH! Also if you mark the spot where the gathering stitiches start and stop, you can regather if you pull out too much.

Step 6: Change thread color...try to match your elastic as closely as possible.

Step 7: Sew elastic together by first zigzagging  the raw edge and sewing a straight stitch next to it. It is not a good idea to serge the elastic. You can but it is not good for your machine and the thread color might not match.

Step 8: Gather the skirt and pin to the elastic.
Holding the bobbin string, gather the skirt. I like to over gather then slowly pull it out while I match the skirt to the elastic. When pinning to the elastic it is good to match up a skirt seam with the elastic seam. If you've got two seams in your skirt like me, just choose one of them. I like to pin the skirt about 2/3 of the way down from the top edge of the elastic. You are pinning the right side of the skirt to the wrong side of the elastic with the gathers (wrong side of skirt) facing up.

Step 9: Sew the elastic on.

If you are using elastic thread in your bobbin (ideal) see below.
You want to sew about 1/4" away from the bottom of the elastic. Feel the elastic and line it up with the left edge of your foot. Use something (like a magnet (pictured above) or a piece of masking tape) to mark where the top of the elastic lines up. Use this as your seam allowance. You want your seam to look even on the right side. You will use a zig zag to sew on the elastic. This will help the elastic stretch. I like the number 3 zigzag on the Brother machines. If you think you will be stretching the elastic a lot, put two rows of zigzag.


NOTE: If you are using ELASTIC THREAD in your bobbin now is the time to change your bobbin. You will also have to sew on the right side of the skirt. So make sure you flip it out so the gathers are facing down. If you are using elastic thread you can use a straight stitch. Elastic thread is great because you get a clean look on the outside and a lot of stretch on the inside. Brother machines do not handle elastic thread very well. If you need help call or stop the store and we can help.

Step : 10 Cut your threads and take out any basting stitches that you can see.

That's it :) It's so simple, I went ahead and whipped up this one for our family's Thanksgiving festivities using Riley Blake's Brown Chevron and 1.5" orange elastic.

Completed Amy Butler Barcelona Skirt

Several days have passed since announcing the Amy Butler Barcelona Skirt as my choice for Pattern 11, but the delay in revealing the finished product wasn't because the skirt was difficult to make.  It took me a little longer because I decided to make two of the three versions the Barcelona Skirt pattern offers!
The first version is the same skirt on the front of the pattern, the tiered skirt.  The only thing I changed was the length of the skirt making it three tiers instead of four.  The edges of the tiers are left raw and as you wash the skirt, the ends will fray which gives this skirt a relaxed look.

I absolutely adore all of the colors in this new Amy Butler fabric "Cameo"!  I also prefer this length to the mid-calf length pictured on the front of the pattern.  Because I am short (5'4), the three tiers turned out to make a perfect knee length skirt, but if you are taller, you may find three tiers isn't long enough for you.  You would need to cut out each pattern piece of the first three tiers about 2 inches longer (depending on your height) to avoid using the fourth tier and having a skirt that may be too short for you. 

The other version of the Barcelona Skirt is a simple A-line skirt.  Both versions of the skirt are fully lined so I decided to make the simple A-line version to use with the green eyelet fabric I have been saving for a couple of weeks.  I chose navy blue for the lining which you can see through the eyelet but that doesn't seem to show up well in the picture.  We have 2 beautiful white eyelet fabrics in our store that would also look great with a brightly colored lining for those of you who would like to make a skirt similar to this one.

The A-line skirt is easier to sew than the tiered skirt just because the cutting out of this pattern is so fast, but both skirts are very simple to sew.  I would categorize this for the advanced beginner just because an invisible zipper must be installed.  Everything else requires only basic straight line stitching! The directions are very straightforward to follow with good pictures.  I did not follow the directions for attaching the lining to the zipper, however, because the directions have you slip stitch the lining to the zipper by hand.  I know I shouldn't admit this since many of you are probably excellent sewers that follow all the sewing rules, but as soon as a pattern calls for something to be sewn by hand, I start thinking of another way to get the job done.  I hate sewing anything by hand because of my impatience and honestly, I'm not very good at it.  I sewed the lining directly to the zipper with my zipper foot, and it worked out fine and looks great.  If you aren't sure how to do this, I'd be glad to show you.  You could do all the steps of the skirt up to the steps where you put in the lining, and then come by the store for me to walk you through it. 
If you usually have trouble finding your correct size based on pattern measurements (waist much smaller than the hip measurement for example), this is the perfect skirt for you because it is easy to alter based on your specific measurements.  Amy Butler explains how to do this in the pattern, and you simply use your measurements to alter the paper pattern before cutting out your fabric. 
The Barcelonia Skirt is a wonderful pattern that I would recommend to all!

Colette Ginger Skirt Finished

Pattern 6.....The easiest project to complete so far! Colette Ginger Skirt

I completed my new "Ginger" skirt today, and it was finished in less than an hour (not counting cutting out the fabric which I did yesterday). It really was the easiest skirt pattern I've ever sewn. This pattern is definitely going to be one of my go-to patterns when I need to sew something quickly and easily which usually happens on a Sunday evening when I decide I want to wear something new to work on Monday.

http://www.fiveeighthseams.com/Colette-Ginger-p/p-colette-1016.htm

I can't say enough good things about the beginner Colette Patterns.  The finished garment fits well, looks classy, and is simple to create.  Completing this skirt so quickly reminded me how much I enjoyed making the Colette shorts pattern (which I have been dying to make again) so I went ahead and cut out the fabric for another pair of shorts.  I think I'll sew those tomorrow even though they won't count towards my twenty patterns!