50's Inspired Skirt

This post is a little different than my others. This project was actually needed for work. My co-worker and I are advisors for a college student ambassador organization called, Pacer Spirit. At the end of each year, we have a celebration with food, games and prizes. We like to add a touch of fun with a theme as well. This year's theme was "Grease" or 50's Sock Hop. So, of course I was in need of an outfit! I hit up Pinterest and started looking at 50's inspired articles of clothing and came up with this skirt. 


Inspiration

 Say Yes To Hoboken

Supplies

• 1 1/2 yrds fabric
• 9 in zipper
• Scissors
• Sewing machine
• Straight pins
• Iron
• Measuring tape

First, measure your waist where you want the waistband to sit. Add an inch for seam allowances. Take your fabric and fold it to the width you want your waistband to be. Then, cut it to the length that you measured your waist to be plus the extra inch. 

Take your waist measurement and half it. Then, add about four inches for pleating. With your fabric folded, cut it to this length. (If you keep it folded it will still be long enough for the skirt but it will be double layered so it won't be see through and you won't have to hem). This will be the front of your skirt. Do the same for the back except cut the fabric in half so that you have two pieces for the back.

Attach the skirt fabric to the waist band with straight pins, adding pleats. Sew the skirt to the waistband. Sew the seams up the sides. (you can add pockets here if you prefer). Add the zipper to the back and sew up the back seam. 

Bubble Skirt

I decided to try my hand at sewing a skirt from a pattern. I found a pattern from McCalls. I did some readjusting to it to fit the kind of fabric I had and the casual feel I was going for.

Inspiration

iCandy Handmade

Supplies

• McCalls 5591 pattern
• 2 1/2 yards fabric
• Zipper
• Scissors
• Sewing Machine
• Coordinating thread
• Stick pins

Layout your fabric and cut out the parts from the pattern.

Begin sewing up the skirt. I started by connecting the waistband pieces together and then attaching the skirt to the waist band. Add in the zipper and sew up the belt.

Elastic Casing Waistband Skirt

I had some extra fabric leftover from the maxi skirt and wanted a project to use it for. I saw this post for a shorter skirt and decided I can never have too many black skirts! I never worked with elastic before, so, it was also something new I could try.

Inspiration

My Imaginary Blog

Supplies

• Fabric (about a yard)
• Elastic (enough to go around your waist)
• Scissors
• Thread
• Sewing machine
• Stick pins

First, cut your fabric into two pieces. One for the front of the skirt and one for the back. Do the same for the elastic. Then, fold the top of one of the pieces of fabric over the elastic. I pined it in place.

Sew the fabric to the elastic. Pull the elastic strip tight as you sew. This will give you the gathering effect. Repeat for the other side of the skirt.

Now, layout the pieces on top of each other and pin the seams. Be sure you pin the skirt inside out. I used some extra fabric to also make pockets.

Then, sew up all the seams. I used stretchy jersey fabric so I decided not to add a hem since it rolls up an doesn't fray. If you use a fraying material, you will need to a a hem. 

I'm pretty happy with this skirt. It was good practice for sewing and it was fun working with elastic.