Patchwork Skirt Tutorial

Sharing is caring!

*Caution, affiliate links ahead…Don’t worry, I’ll use the money for something practical, like wine…. or a pony!

I love making clothes for my little girly girls. The problem I always run into is time, I don’t have the time to make all the clothes I want, so I have to find things to make that are adorable and won’t take me weeks to finish. This patchwork skirt is the easiest cutest thing I can make, I can literally spit one of these suckers out in about 1 1/2 hours. This is also a great use for scrap fabric! This is one that I made for a friend for her daughter’s first trip to Disneyworld. I wanted to do something Minnie Mouse themed.

What you will need:

Fabric (mix and match and pick fun patterns and colors!)
Rotary cutter and mat (I don’t recommend scissors, rotary cutters are much easier and faster)
Ruler
Pins
Thread
3/4 inch elastic

How much fabric:

18 mos/2T: 21 squares of 7 inch fabric

3T/4T: 24 squares of 8 inch fabric

5/6: 28 squares of 8.5 inch fabric

7/8 31 squares of 9 inch fabric

Cut your squares using your rotary cutter, or your scissors if you are stubborn.

Lay out your squares into 2 rows (there is no special order to this, just try to mix it up and keep similar patterns away from each other.)

18 mos/2T:  Top row should have 8 squares and the bottom row should have 13 squares.

3T/4T: Top row should have 9 squares and the bottom should have 15

5/6: Top row should have 10 squares and bottom should have 18

7/8: Top row should have 11 squares and the bottom should have 20

Stack each square on top of one another in the order you laid them out, so that you remember what order to sew them in. Put a pin in it to hold each row together and keep it separate from the other row.

Let’s get started sewing the firs row together. Pin your first 2 squares together, right sides together. Sew one side with a 1/4 inch seem. Open your sewn together squares and place another square on top of the end square, remembering right sides together, sew together with a 1/4 inch seem allowance. Repeat this until you have a long strip of squares.

Repeat these steps for the bottom row.

Take your first row and press your seems open. Fold one long side over 1 inch, pin then press to create the elastic casing.Stitch along bottom, leave a 2 inch opening to insert the elastic. Fold in half right sides together and stitch with a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

Set the top row aside and grab your bottom row. Fold one long side over 1/4 inch, pin then press. Fold over another 1/4 inch, pin then press to create the hem. Stitch all the way around. Fold in half right sides together and stitch with a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

Now it’s time to gather your bottom row. I personally use a gather foot because it is so much easier. If you don’t have a gathering foot, set your machine on the longest stitch possible. Sew a long line at the top of the bottom row, I usually do 2 rows in case one breaks. Begin gathering by pulling the top 2 threads and moving the fabric back so it gathers together.

Take the top row and lay it on a flat surface and compare it to the bottom row to see how wide it needs to be. When it looks like it is the right width, pin the top row to the bottom row at the gather making sure the right sides are together. Also make sure to stagger the two rows. At this point you will know if it is gathered too much or too little and you can adjust accordingly. When you have finished pinning the 2 rows, sew them together.

Last step is to thread the elastic. Measure elastic by wrapping it around your child’s waist, it should be snug but not tight. I use an elastic threader with all my elastic. This simple piece of plastic saves me so much trouble!

After you thread the elastic, sew it together, tuck it into the casing and sew the opening in the casing closed. That’s it! You now have a beautiful patchwork skirt for your little princess 🙂

Here is my friend’s daughter in her adorable outfit!