So awhile ago I had this idea to make some sort of a skirt for Grace that she could wear for any holiday. I wanted it to be “festive” but not stuck being just for Christmas or Valentine’s Day or whatever. (Although, let’s face it. I like holiday specific clothing as well…I just posted those angel shirts for crying out loud.)
Anyways…thinking one item that can be changed to fit different holidays…this is what I came up with:
The Any Occasion Skirt
Just a simple skirt with a bow that can be changed depending on the holiday. Like Christmas.
or Valentine’s Day
or even St. Patrick’s day.
It was easy.
Here’s what I did:
#1. I cut a piece of fabric twice as wide as Grace is around and then as long as Grace is from her waist to just above the knee plus 2 inches.
#2. I turned the bottom under about one fourth inch and stitched it down then turned it under again and stitched that down to finish off a bottom hem. (No, people…I don’t have a surger…that is why I do everything in crazy ways.)
#3. I measured across the bottom hem and every 5 inches I stopped, measured up from the bottom 1 inch and made a mark. This mark is where I put a button hole.
#4. The bottom of each skirt has button holes—not for buttons of course but to lace the ribbon through. When I made my first skirt I only put 1 button hole at every 5 inch mark. But then I realized that to thread the ribbon like I wanted I needed to put 2 button holes side by side. So I went back and gave every button hole an identical next door neighbor. ***Note: I made my button holes the size that I wanted my ribbon to be…which was as wide long as my button holer would go.
#5. After all the button holes were in I put ride sides together and closed up the back seam of the skirt.
#6. Next I made the casing for the elastic waistband across the top, threaded my elastic through, and closed up the case.
#7. Now all that is left is to choose your ribbon, thread it through and enjoy.
So…as with most things I do…I couldn’t stop with just one…which means after I made an All Occasion skirt out of a solid fabric I made a second one with a print.
(Which I may actually like more than the solid one.)
Here is is with a red ribbon for Christmas…
…and with a blue ribbon for New Year’s or Hanukkah.
I like this idea…and want to play around with it some more…like a dark solid with printed ribbon…and messing with the tension on the ribbon…and toying around with the length of the skirt…so even though I’ve already made 2 of them, chances are they will be followed by several more.
But not until after Christmas…
-liZ
It,s very sweet.
Ooh…I love this idea – and so will my girls!
That is SO CUTE. Is she wearing a pettiskirt underneath or did it come out that foofy? I’m in love
What a pretty skirt – and an adorable model!
-Jen
I ADORE this liZ!!! Seriously, love love love it! You guys never cease to amaze me. Love it!
Tracy- Attalla Alabama- How do you get all these beautiful dresses and skirts to puff our and look full. What is your secret? Let me in on it please???
love this – does it have a crinoline underneath, or is it just the natural stiffness of your fabric??? Must….Stop…pining things for baby girl ;op
Max, Tracy, and Suzanne—she is wearing a pettiskirt…it’s one I made…I’ll post a tutorial about them in January (after Christmas). I love puffy, poofy skirts so Grace wears pettiskirts A LOT…she thinks it’s just part of what you wear everyday. I’ll be sad when she grows out of liking them…
-liZ
Max, Tracy, and Suzanne—she is wearing a pettiskirt…it’s one I made…I’ll post a tutorial about them in January (after Christmas). I love puffy, poofy skirts so Grace wears pettiskirts A LOT…she thinks it’s just part of what you wear everyday. I’ll be sad when she grows out of liking them…
-liZ
Wild idea! OK I love dots so I thought navy skirt with red ribbon and white dots! Or navy with white dots (try big dots for crazy fun) and then a plain ribbon. Love gingham–how about a gingham skirt with a plain ribbon to change out? When you’re ready to go again I think I just gave you enough ideas for about 10 more combos! As always–your daughter couldn’t be any cuter in this photo session!
Adorable! I love it!
Love it! You could also use this technique for dresses or pants or throw pillow! really smart.
SOOOO Cute! I definitely have to try this one.
Cudowna
Oh my goodness – I love it!!!
brilliant!!
So stinkin’ cute! I love the vibrant ribbon colors.
What a great idea!
Great idea! Did you embellish the cardigan or did it come that way?
Oh, that is so clever! And so cute! So many possibilities with that idea =)
This is gorgeous! I absolutely love it! I am definitely going to give it a try. My youngest daughter would go crazy over a skirt like that!!
StacySewsandSchools.Wordpress.com
What a cute idea!!! love it!
Gorgeous! What a great idea 🙂
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So cute, and your little girl couldn’t be any cuter.
Grace is so cute and I love this skirt. Can’t wait to see how you put together a pettiskirt! Thank you!
Now that I live on the West side of the United States, my sisters come to visit me from time to time. One of the times that they came, Scary showed me this post. I loved that little skirt. It was such a fun twist on the skirt.
I was purusing through your blog tonight and stumbled upon it again. I didn’t know y’all made that skirt! I still love it.
Happing sewing.
With love
-Jo
Made it, but with belt loops instead of buttonholes because I hate, hate, hate to make buttonholes. This is a grand design and will look wonderful on my little Margot. Thank you so much for the lovely ideas.