Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Apple Skirt and Tutorial

I have apparently started a tradition of making an apple picking outfit every year. You can see past years dresses here and here. It wasn't necessarily my intention to make this a tradition, but after making dresses 2 years in a row and seeing this very cute corduroy at Joann's I thought why not and this is what I came up with.Isn't it cute? I thought so and decide that some of you might think so too so I am going to attempt a tutorial.
You will need about 1/2 a yard (depending on your size I made a 2T) of 2 coordinating fabrics. I used a printed corduroy and matching solid color cotton.
To get the right size measure your child's waist size (19 in for me). Also measure from waist to knee, or however long you want the skirt and add an inch(mine is 12 in). Now that you have your measurement cut either one piece twice as long as your waist measurement by your length measurement (this will make one seem in back)or cut 2 pieces your waist measurement by length measurement (creates to seems on side). You will do this for both of your materials.
Now take the right side of the pattern material and match it up with the wrong side of your solid material then sew it together. Now you have one big piece (or 2 big pieces). Next sew the sides together by folding the piece long ways so that the right side of the pattern material and the wrong side of solid material are on the inside. Sew up the side. If you have 2 pieces then just line them up on top of each other and sew up both sides. You should now have a tube. Now fold the pattern material over the solid material. You now have a tube with right side of pattern material on out side.
Top stitch near top where you sewed the to types of material together. This will keep the material in right orientation. The bottom should have to raw edges the pattern material and solid material. Hem these separately, hemming the pattern material shorter so that the solid peeks through under the pattern.
Now we are going to pleat the front. Make a mark in the center of your front panel then make a mark every 2 in. Use these marks to help you make your pleats even. I made three pleats on either side of my middle mark. Sew your pleats down by sewing a straight line across all pleats about an in or so from top.
For the back I cut a piece of elastic half the size of my back panel and stretching it across the length of the back panel sew it on about an inch from the top.
Now you have a skirt. For the cute little pink belt I just sewed a tube of material the length I wanted turned it inside out and sewed the ends closed. I tied the belt over were I sewed the pleats and elastic down. This made it so there is sort of a ruffle sticking out over the top. So, this skirt is meant to be worn with a shirt that is tucked in.
Since I had scraps and since my daughter informed me that her doll only had PJs I made the doll a simple little matching skirt.
You can make the doll skirt the same way or simplify it like I did. I measures The dolls waist and cut apiece of elastic that size. I then sewed 2 strips of the pink material on either side of the apple material that was twice as long as the elastic (or piece scraps together to make a piece twice as long as your doll's waist)
Sew your loose ends together forming a tube. Then fold your 2 pink strips under and sew in the ditch as shown in picture. One side is now the bottom him and the other is the top where you will insert elastic and sew together.
So there is a simplified matching doll skirt tut. I hope it makes since.
Once you have your outfit you are ready to go pick apples. I also made a little clip by cutting out one of the apples and gluing it to a clip.
My husband was making fun of me when I felt bad I hadn't made Aidan an outfit. He said "because Aidan is going to look back on these pictures and feel bad he did have an outfit." sarcastically of course. So just in case he did look back I appliqued some apples on an onsie so they were matching.
There you have it an apple skirt, matching doll skirt, clip and onsie all in one, perfect for an afternoon of apple pickin'? Now what to do with the apples. Here is what I did last year.



linking up with these awesome gals.

22 comments:

My Little Cupcake said...

This is so cute! My little girl is 2 1/2 and my baby boy is 11 months, so I do this kind of matching thing sometimes, too. It's hard with a boy and a girl.
mylittlecupcake22.blogspot.com

Mandy Beyeler said...

way cute- love that fabric!

Ash Savage said...

Love it, love it! I too have had my eye on that very apple fabric. What a perfect skirt for it! I think I'll be using your tut to make matching skirts for me and my two girls...

HILLARY said...

This skirt is so cute! I love that you made a matching skirt for the doll that is just adorable!

Amie {Kitty Cats and Airplanes} said...

Wow. I kind of love this! I want to make one for me ASAP!!

Amie @ http://www.kittycatsandairplanes.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

this skirt is adorable!! What a cute idea!! I wanted to let you know about a linky party/tutorial post I have started. It is called Handmade Tuesdays and I feature a tutorial from a crafter and then I have a linky where people can link up their projects. Please come link up every Tuesday! :)

Mandy Beyeler said...

Thanks for linking up to Take-A-Look Tuesday at Sugar Bee Craft Edition - I featured you today! - Mandy, www.craftedition.blogspot.com

nest full of eggs said...

Adorable apple skirt ! how clever of you to sew a coordinating doll skirt, too :)

Karen said...

I love the skirt! Super cute fabric. I love what you did. Lovely blog! I am a follower. Saw you on We did it Wednesday- Stop by when you get the chance:
www.karismaheartsavannah.blogspot.com

Tammy @ she wears flowers said...

This is darling! I have this same fabric--don't you love it? You did such a great job!

Unknown said...

I love this skirt! I can't wait to try and make one for my little girl!
Thanks for posting the tutorial!
http://kensingtoncottage.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

This is absolutely adorable. I highlighted it at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com. Grab my "featured" button.

Unknown said...

LOVE this! That fabric is perfect for fall!
We have a Friday link party- we'd love it if you'd link to this!

AllieMakes! said...

Very cute! Excellent tutorial!
You should come link this up to my Making It With Allie linky Party!
AllieMakes.Blogspot.com

KimMalk said...

This is as cute as can be. The fabric is perfect. I like the photo with little brother.

Katie said...

So happy to see you at A Crafty Soiree! That is a super cute skirt and I love the matching baby doll one too:) The picture of your little ones together inbetween rows of apple trees is great! Thanks for sharing and looking forward to seeing you next time too:)

Pati @ A Crafty Escape said...

I love the matchy-matchy!

Caroline @ Artfully Caroline said...

I have a darling strawberries print fabric that would be just perfect for this project. ANd your munchkins are absolutely adorable.

Caroline
http://ateliercaroline.blogspot.com/

AmyH said...

Oh my gosh!! Cute fabric, cute design, cute little girl- LOVE it! Thanks for auditioning for American Crafter

Amy@ServingPinkLemonade said...

This is absolutely adorable. Love the fabric. Love the skirt. I really want one now. Thanks for inspiring me, and thanks for linking up at Serving Pink Lemonade.

Michelle @ Delicate Construction said...

Super cute! Stopping by to say hi from the American Crafter Auditions! AND I am a new follower =)!
Michelle
www.landofthemisfittoyz.blogspot.com

Linda@CraftaholicsAnonymous said...

Jessica,
So adorable! Love that dollie got one too!
happy crafting!
Linda