Rooty "TUTE" Tuesday - Bubble Skirt!!

Here it is!! The BUBBLE SKIRT TUTORIAL!!! This is such a fun and playful skirt! You can make it as a skirt, or make it for the skirt of a dress...it's easy and super cute!

This skirt can be modified a ton of different ways. This is just one BASIC way to make a bubble skirt. You can also do it without the elastic in the hem by cutting the top fabric wider than the underskirt and gathering it before sewing it to underskirt. You can also play around with the waist and add a knit waistband instead of the traditional casing with elastic. And you can embellish it as much (or little) as you want....have fun!!
Materials needed: skirt fabric, underskirt fabric, elastic, sewing supplies (thread, sewing machine, etc.)

1.) Cut skirt fabric to length needed for child's age. The width is the width of the fabric (approx 44". If you are making this for an older child, you may need to piece fabric together and have two side seams instead of one seam in the back). For the length, I measured from my 2 year old daughter's waist to her knee, then add 6". So, hers was 12"+6"=18"

2.) Cut underskirt fabric 4" LESS than the total length of the skirt fabric. The width will be the width of the fabric (approx 44", again if you're making this for an older child, it may need to be pieced". My daughters was: 18"-4"=14"
3.) With RIGHT sides together, sew down the width of both fabrics (44") with 30" of 1/4" elastic on top of layers. Stretch elastic gently as you go. You want to try to have the elastic end up about the same length as the fabrics. If you have any excess, just cut it off.
4.) Separate layers. While stretching out elastic, topstitch right next to seam on whichever side the elastic is underneath.
5.) Match up wrong sides of fabric, lining fabrics up at waistband edge. Serge or straight stitch close to waistband edge to keep fabrics together.
6.) Fold skirt in half width-wise, with RIGHT sides together. Line up side seam and sew from top to bottom, making sure to adjust for the stretch of the elastic as needed. Cut off extra fabric if necessary. Serge or zig-zag edge.

7.) Make casing at waistband. You can either fold over serged edge and iron. Or you can iron 1/4" down, then fold over again another 1-1 1/2". Leave 2" opening at back seam for elastic.
8.) Thread elastic through opening in waistband casing. I use approx 20-21" of 3/4" elastic for my 2 year old. Cut your elastic according to child's waist. Sew elastic ends together and sew closed opening (insert tag or ribbon to show what side is the back).
9.) Embellish with flowers, sashes, whatever you want!!!

And that's it!!! You have a super cute,
BUBBLE-LICIOUS skirt!!!


PS: If you use this tutorial, send me a picture of your finished skirt...I would love to see it!!


PPS: Have you tried PICNIK yet? Can you tell I LOVE IT!!!