Smashed Peas and Carrots

Did you know that this week is Kids Clothes Week (or what used to be Kids Clothes Week Challenge) over at Elsie Marley? Yup, it totally is. If you don't know what KCW is, it's just where sewers are challenging themselves to work on making kid's clothes during one week this spring. Pretty simple, right? This challenge has become so big that there is now a blog devoted to it and you can find it right here if you want to read more and join in...I highly suggest it by the way! It's so refreshing putting small moments of time into creating pieces for your kids (or grandkids...or friend's kids wardrobes!) in just one week.

This sweet little skirt is one of my contributions to my girls' closet this KCW. It's made from the most gorgeous Japanese fabric from my new blog sponsor, Modes4U.com. It's the Little Red Riding Hood Patchwork in Off-White by Kokka. When I first saw this fabric I new both of my girls would adore it, and true to form they did! I mean, c'mon, what's not to love about that cute little Red Riding Hood, even the wolf is cute! And what better way to use such a sweet fabric than a quick-to-make little skirt that can be worn even in the chilliest of Spring weather with a pair of tights!

30-Minute Color Block Skirt

1/2 yard of main fabric

1/8 yard of secondary color fabric (for the color block)

3/8 inch non-roll knit elastic

rotary cutter and mat

ruler

coordinating thread

Here are the goods you will need to get this skirt made...oh, how I love that Red Riding Hood fabric!

The first thing you want to do is measure the waist of your child. Penelope is 4 years old and has about a 20 inch waist so the measurements for this skirt tutorial work great for her but my 2.5 year old can also wear the skirt, it's just a wee bit longer on her!

Cut two pieces of your main fabric to 13 x 17.5 inches. And cut two pieces of the color block fabric to 5 x 17.5 inches. I like to make the width of the skirt 1.5 times the waist measurement for elastic waist skirts which is where the 35 inch measurement comes in. I also wanted to make the color block section of the skirt to be about 4 inches so I just measured out on Penelope where I wanted the skirt to hit on her leg and made that my length which is the 13 + 5...also added to this are the 1/2 inch or so we need for the casing at the top of the waist as well as fabric we will need to turn the hem under and to join the two pieces of fabric together.

Next, place the two fabrics (orange and main fabric) right sides together a the top edge of the main fabric. Sew together using a 1/4 inch seam allowance. You can finish the seam any way you like, I serged mine.

Next, iron the seam flat and top stitch on the front (right side) of the orange fabric using a 1/8 inch seam allowance.

Then place the two joined pieces of fabric right sides together and sew up each open edge to form your skirt. Finish of the seam as you'd like, I serged mine (not shown!)

Then, either fold over the top edge of the skirt 1/4 inch and then a 1/2 inch to make the casing for the elastic or just serge the top edge and fold over 1/2 inch. I also serged the bottom edge of the fabric (picture on the right) and hemmed it using a 1/4 inch fold. You can also fold the bottom edge 1/4 inch and then another 1/4 inch if you'd like as well.

Next, with the skirt still right side out, make the casing for your elastic by folding the top edge over 1/2 inch (like I explained in the last step!) making sure to leave a 1/2 inch opening to thread your elastic through. Using a safety pin, thread your elastic through the casing, sew together the two ends together with 1/2 inch overlap, and then sew the casing shut. Make sure to hem the bottom of the skirt if you haven't already!