Chevron Skirt {Tutorial}

I finally did it! I found some of the ever-popular Chevron fabric {in the exact color I wanted!!} at my local Hobby Lobby last week and made the skirt I've been dreaming about. It is done exactly the same way as THIS SKIRT I posted about before. The only addition to this skirt is lining up the stripes on the sides for a crisp look. Before you turn around and run, believe me when I say this sounds much harder than it really is. I wouldn't do it if it was too much work. I don't have time for that. So, take the plunge and try it! You won't be disappointed. *This fabric is cotton duck and it was a dream to work with. Not to mention, it looks so professional when worn.*

 EASY ZIPPER TUTORIAL

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Another Ladies' Skirt & Easy Zipper

So, I've been finding some really cute fabric lately and decided to make myself some 30 minute skirts like the one I made by request for a friend. I showed you that tutorial a few days ago. It really is so easy to make a skirt from scratch including sewing in a zipper! Anyone can do it. If you can sew a straight line {who can't?}, you can sew a skirt. So, go find some fabric you like and do it. It won't take long, I promise!
Go here to see the complete tutorial for sewing a basic ladies' skirt and to get the tutorial for sewing in a zipper - the easy way.
Here are pics of the most recent one I made myself. I've got a couple more to make this weekend and I think I'll be pretty much set....unless I find more cute fabric, that is.

 {Sorry for the blurry pic - cell phone pic taken by my 4 year old.}

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Basic Ladies' Skirt {Tutorial}

I have found that I love a summer skirt way better than I love shorts. And here's my list of reasons why skirts are better than shorts:
1. Everyone looks better in a skirt.
2. Skirts can be very casual, semi-casual, business casual, semi-dressy or very dressy.
3. Skirts can be worn with a variety of shoes, my favorite being the flip flop or wedge sandal.
4. Skirts can be worn anywhere. I've even gone putt-putt in a skirt and wedge sandals. It's perfectly acceptable.
5. Skirts are way more comfortable than shorts and more airy.
I don't mind a pair of shorts every once in awhile, but I just find that I prefer skirts more. And because they are so super easy to make and fabric is so cheap, you can make a variety to last all summer for the price of one department store skirt.
Here's how to do it!
Start by getting out your favorite skirt. Simple is best for this tutorial.

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Spring Fashion

It is definitely Spring here in the South. {I think it's been Spring now for at least a couple weeks with all the warm weather we've been having.} I don't know about you, but this weather makes me 'need' a whole new wardrobe! I have been focusing on some different projects I wanted to make for my girls {skirts, etc.} and now I'm looking for more projects to do for my own wardrobe. I have big plans {maybe even crazy plans} but I thought I'd share some of the things I have seen recently that I like. I'm in the middle of some sewing projects for friends, so enjoy these fun links and I'll be back with more fun tutorials this week!
The Maxi Dress. I love these. And I might make myself one if I don't find any cute ones at Ross for less than $15. I hear you can score some right now for great deals at Ross if there is one near you. I'm heading over there this week. Here's a tutorial I found for a cute one! LOVE the fabric! It's a vintage sheet!

This is a quick way to make a maxi dress. Check out this 10-Minute Tutorial! You can do so much with this. Use your imagination!

And last, but not least: The Chevron Maxi Skirt. {Swoon} My favorite fabric pattern right now {and 5 million other people}. This isn't a tutorial, just one for sale. But it sure wouldn't be hard to make one like this!

What do you love this Spring??

Recycled Sundress

Yesterday I was getting ready for a long, hot day at the zoo and realized I had nothing cool to wear. Since it is only March and the temps have been unseasonably warm, my wardrobe wasn't prepared for that. So, I started looking through my closet and saw a knit sundress that I had worn last year. Somewhere between then and now, it had shrunk and was a little too short for me to be comfortable wearing. BUT I noticed it had a built-in waistband. I decided on the spot that I could cut the top off of the dress and make myself a nice, cool skirt out of it and I did. It took me all of 2 minutes to cut that top off and the skirt is the perfect length! Now I'm digging through my closet trying to decide the fate of each and every piece I have in there! Nothing is exempt. So, stay tuned for more recycled pieces coming soon! What's in YOUR closet that needs a makeover??

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Elastic Waist Skirt {Tutorial}

I'm not kidding you when I say this is the easiest and most versatile skirt there is to make! And everyone can do it. It doesn't take a degree in Home Ec or even an expensive sewing machine. We're talking basics here, people. This tutorial can be used for girls or ladies. Same principles, just different measurements. It's {SEW} easy! Try it. You must! And by the way, this skirt cost me less than $3 to make.

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30 Minute Ruffle Skirt {Tutorial}

If you know how to sew a straight line, you are going to love this skirt! It literally takes only three straight lines of sewing to make this skirt. In fact, you probably do more cutting and folding than you do sewing - and the best part? You don't have to hem this!! I'm not a big fan of hemming. I don't know why really. It's not that hard. But this fabric doesn't ravel or fray. You're going to love it!

Materials:
I bought my ruffle fabric at Hobby Lobby for 10.99/yd {Use the 40% off coupon and it's a GREAT deal!}. I only needed 1 yard. Then, I bought poly-satin in silver for 2.99/yd. Used 1/6 of a yard for this skirt. And I already had some elastic on hand.

*Measure the waist that will be wearing this skirt. Then, take that measurement and add 4-5 inches. We will be using elastic for the waist, so that extra 4-5 inches will be good for gathering.
*Measure the length you want and carefully cut your fabric to meet your requirements. {See pic below for a great tip.}

*Now it's time to sew your seam. {I put mine in the back of the skirt.} Place right sides together and sew your seam from top to bottom. I use a 1/2 inch seam. Remember this fabric is stretchy, so slow and steady is best. {See pic below.}

*Now, for the waistband. Take your coordinating fabric {I chose poly-satin} and cut the length the size of your subject's waist + a couple inches gathering and finishing. For a 1.5 inch wide waistband, you'll want to cut a 6" wide piece {We'll be folding this waistband over twice to get our finished width.}

*Fold in half, iron. Then, fold again and iron. {Just like making a bias tape.}

*You can sew a straight seam down that opening, if you wish, but I left mine open.

....And the finished result!

The best part?? I got three skirts out of this 1 yard of ruffled fabric for my three girls who are 8, 6 and almost 4. Better than thrift store prices and it's brand new!

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