I felt very lucky to be one of the first to get their hands on The Craft Cotton Company's latest Peter Rabbit in London collection. I knew I had to make a little pair of dungers for Alfie, which you can find here. I had enough to make two, so I made one for my best friend who had a little boy a few months after me. I still had plenty left so I decided to make a skirt for her little girl, and George's best friend. There is something so cute about matching siblings and it's nice to post little gifts to show we are thinking of them even if we can't meet to play. The skirt is intended for a 3/4 year old but can easily be adapted to a smaller or bigger size. I have explained how to work out the elastic size and you can adjust the length of the skirt to the length you prefer. It should take you less than an hour to make.
The main fabric I used for the skirt is white with strings of Union Jack bunting, connecting Peter Rabbit in different famous London scenes including Big Ben and the gates to Buckingham Palace. The Beefeaters, double decker bus and post boxes give it a fun splash of colour. This was one of the first strike offs and it has evolved in the final print. I have used a plain red for the waistband and frilly trim to help them pop.
YOU WILL NEED
Half Metre White Peter Rabbit Fabric
Long Quarter Red Fabric
Sewing Machine
18.6" 1" wide Elastic (see point 9 for measurements)
Safety Pin
3/8th seam allowance used throughout.
METHOD
Cut your fabric. This is very simple because you will just need to use the full width of fabric (WOF). This is based on standard folded cotton bolt widths which is around 112cm.
White fabric - 30cm x WOF
Red Fabric - 10cm x WOF x2 (trim)
Red Fabric - 6.5cm x WOF (waistband)
I have adjusted this slightly to make the most of the pattern. The bunting sits along the top and the scene at the bottom finishes nicely along the frill.
2. Trim the selvages. Line up the waistband and main skirt so they are the same width.
3. Sew the trim together at the short edges to create a very big circle of fabric. Finish the raw edges, I have used a zig zag stitch. Press the bottom edge over by 1/4" and then again, hem.
4. Sew the short edges of the waistband together. Press it with wrong sides together.
5. Use the longest stitch you have and sew two rows of stitches, close to the edge, leaving long tails at the end. Do four lots so they are not too long. Start at the seam and stop at the natural fold of the fabric, repeat all the way around the top edge.
6. Sew the white fabric together at the sides. Finish the edges. I have stuck to a zig zag stitch. Fold your skirt in half and half again to mark 4 equal points around the bottom of the skirt.
7. Use the seams and natural fold of the red fabric as your four points to match up with the bottom of the skirt. Pin at these 4 points, right sides together. Now gently pull your two threads creating even gathers all the way around the bottom. Pin into place and sew.
Finish the raw edges with a zig zag stitch or overlocker. Press upwards.
8. Now with your folded waistband, pin and sew it with right sides together at the top of the skirt, matching up the seams at the back. Leave a gap at the back to insert the elastic.
9. Use a safety pin to insert the elastic, be sure to keep hold of the other end. I have used 18.6" but to work out the length you need, measure the waist of the lucky little lady, take off 20% and add 1". So, the waist size I have done this for is 22". You may need to adjust this depending on how stretchy your elastic is.
22/100 = 0.22
0.22 x 80 = 17.6
17.6 + 1 = 18.6
When it is threaded, overlap by 1/2" and sew it together securely, make sure you go over it a few times. I have sewn a cross.
Adjust the elastic so it gathers evenly. Pull it taught and sew the opening together. Pull taught to finish off the raw edges. Press downwards.
That is your skirt finished. Hopefully, you have found this nice and easy and you will have a very grateful little lady. If you have enjoyed this tutorial and given it a go, I would love to hear from you! For more free tutorials, new fabric arrivals and special offers, make sure you have subscribed to my mailing list.
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