11 July 2011

Paperdoll Skirt Tutorial

When was the last time you made a paperdoll chain?  It's always magical when you get finished cutting out all those geometrical turns and curves to open it up and see that it actually works, all those holding hands :). I made a skirt for Divine a few years ago inspired by making paperdolls one day and loved it.  She didn't wear it very much because I didn't put any elastic in the waistband and those little girl waists just can't keep it up properly.  So, I've revamped it and made one for my Pearlie girl.  It's a two part tutorial, though, and the actual paperdoll applique is being featured in the free online magazine Delish!  It's kind of thrilling to see my work in something that is so official :)
So, if you want the paperdoll applique tutorial, (or if you just want to see me in a magazine...mom and dad) you can follow this link (page 26).


Back view.  Yes, another faux placket.  I seem to love those, don't I?  The buttons are made from coconut shells my sister brought back to me years and years ago when she spent several months in the Tongan Islands.  See, I always find the perfect project for each of my precious buttons...eventually.
I also changed up some of my dolls, adding a single boy in the lineup...a foreshadowing, perhaps? 
For the skirt front take 1/2" pleats every inch or so until the measured front waist is achieved.  Stay stitch in place.



•As a side note regarding fabrics I used, the green is a loosely woven linen and the brown is cotton with a simple, small pattern.  I wouldn't suggest using a loud print for either skirt or applique.  Pre-washing both fabrics is important since the shrinkage might be different with different fabric content.

Cut a strip of contrasting fabric the same length as the skirt front as well as twice the length (you'll use this later), 2" wide, fold in half and press.  Sew to top of skirt front.


Take smaller tucks in skirt back, keeping wider than measured waist back, as you will be gathering this with elastic.  
For the back placket, cut a 3" strip out of main fabric, turning edges under 1/2".  
Pin prepared edging on either side.
Either stitch down each side with regular straight stitch, or use a decorative machine stitch or hand stitching.
Pin placket to center back of the skirt, stitching down each side along the very edge or change thread color and stitch down the edging if you don't want to stitch over your decorative stitching.
Stitch side seams, with right sides together.  i was almost tempted to use the cute outline of my paperdoll lineup as my right side ;).
Cut waistband to fit skirt circumference adding an inch for the seam allowance, and 3 1/4" wide (if you're using 1" elastic).  Iron interfacing to center front.  Fold in half hotdog ways, press, fold one edge under slightly less than 1/2".
Pin waistband around skirt, centering in front, leaving the two end unpinned from skirt.  Pin ends to each other, making sure the waistband fits properly on skirt.  Stitch ends together and pin to skirt.
Stitch waistband to skirt.
Fold along pressed edge and edge stitch along top and bottom of waistband, leaving it open 1" behind the side seams on both sides.
Thread elastic through the back waistband, pin in place to check the fit on your child first.  Secure elastic by sewing through all layers, following the side seam line.
Hem bottom by turning under twice 1/2" and stitch.
That's it!  


37 comments:

  1. This is such a fun skirt, and I absolutely love the button placket!!

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  2. So cute, Katy! Really creative. Congrats on being in a magazine as well!

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  3. LOVE the skirt! And congratulations on the Delish publication.

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  4. Katy...clever as always! And I am excited to see you looking so official and I am not even your mom or dad. Well done!

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  5. How super cute! My mom's a first-grade teacher, and I can totally see her wearing something like this. Maybe I should do something about that!

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  6. Very cute! I hope to make this for my daugther.

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  7. What a fun skirt! Love the faux placket, the little tucks instead of gathers, and your hot dog style description. :) I also really like your decorative stitching.

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  8. i saw this over at Delish this morning and new it was yours from your teaser post :), love it!!!

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  9. Your work should be in all kinds of official ... you're so talented! Adorable skirt.

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  10. beautiful katy, as usual :)

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  11. so cute! i love the fabrics you used... definitely going to make one of these! thanks!

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  12. I really love paper dolls, and I really love your skirt! Beautiful and fun. (I would totally wear it.)

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  13. I love Pearle's new skirt. It is so cute. I loved the one you made for Divine too. Congrats on your magazine piece. I love how the pages turn in the online magazine.

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  14. you are so talent! i adore this little skirt...don't know that mine would turn out as cute though :)

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  15. Beautifully done Katy, I love all that extra detail you put in to your creations. You are extrememly talented!

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  16. It's fabulousness!! I linked to your tutorial on Craft Gossip Sewing:
    http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-paperdoll-appliqued-skirt/2011/07/12/

    --Anne

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  17. reminds me of the paper dolls that sort of didn't work out when we visited your laurel class... :)

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  18. Love this! But, since I was gifted with only little boys I will make a tote bag with this applique. Thanks for the great project.

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  19. Materials girl-yes! this technique could be used in so many ways:
    apron
    bedskirt
    tote bag
    jacket
    quilt
    curtains
    tablecloth

    please post photos to flickr if you do!

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  20. this is gorgeous. one day i 'll have the guts to attempt it! xo m.

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  21. I love this skirt. Just the back could stand on its own in a skirt as well! You are so talented! Thank you for sharing that with us.

    What kind of fabric did you use for the main skirt? Is it linen?

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  22. Love this skirt. I'm making one for one of my girls. I've tried clicking on the link and it's not working for me. Is something wrong with the website?

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  23. Momma of 7-the link works for me, you do have to wait for several seconds for it to load. If that still doesn't work, here's the direct link:
    delishmag.com

    Let me know if either of those works!

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  24. I got it now! It doesn't work from my iPad that's why.

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  25. It´s so well explained that it ís seemed so easy !!!
    I ´m a very beginner and tutorials like yours will help me a lot...I´ll have only to translate correctly !!! Fortunately you make very good photos...
    Besitos andaluces

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  26. Love the skirt! I'll be linking to this project on AllFreeSewing soon :)

    Thanks!

    Kirsten
    Editor
    AllFreeSewing

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  27. Love it! I was unable to find the applique tutorial when I clicked on the link. H.E.L.P.! :)

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  28. Stirringupthegifts--click on the second link and flip to the 26th page and it should be there.

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  29. i love this skirt. but what measurement am i supposed to cut? (i.e. twice the waist measurement?) really cute, thanks!

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  30. Kaylee-It really depends on how full you want it. Twice the waist would be a very full skirt. 1 1/2 the waist measurement is closer to what I have pictured.

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  31. I guess I missed something, I don't see how you did the paper dolls on the front of the skirt. Is it reverse applique or sating stitched on, how are they put on?
    Mama G

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  32. Mama G--The first paragraph has the link to the applique portion in the free online magazine, Delish. Just click on that and flip to page 26.

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  33. Just wanted to say thanks for your fantastic tutorials , so easy to follow - am going to give a swimsuit a try next.

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  34. Please provide applique directions because it is no longer on the Relish site. Thbank you.

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  35. sewhelpme--Actually, it's still available if you click through the link in the post (I just did it). It's actually "Delish" not "Relish", so that might be the problem if you're just googling it.

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  36. I read a lot of tutorials and am sometimes impressed but rarely enough to make a comment (sorry if that sounds snobbish)
    I can't wait to make this skirt ----it's a work of art. Fun but elegant at the same time
    Well done

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