Gray, Stripes & Mustard + The Easiest Skirt Tutorial You've Ever Seen


Cardi: Target; Button down: H&M (old); Skirt: Made by me (fabric from fabric.com); Belt: old; Leggings: Forever 21; Necklace: Forever 21; Boots: Payless
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Perhaps the new name of this blog should be Striped Skirt: 1000 Remixes. I do love it, and - fair warning - it will probably continue to make regular appearances. There's also something about this outfit that speaks to my heart. Mustard, stripes, button down, belt, boots. What more could you need?

One of my dear IRL friends also asked for a tutorial for this skirt. When I read that, I laughed out loud because I'm a total newbie seamstress (how do you like that? I sew 2 things and now I'm a seamstress) and also because this is the easiest skirt on the planet. Still, I love this girl and in hopes that it can help someone else who is just beginning the foray into the sewing world, here's a very very basic tutorial.

The Easiest Skirt in the World

When I wrote back to my friend, I told her, "The tutorial would basically go like this: 1) cut out two pieces of fabric, 2) pin like crazy to try to align the stripes, 3) sew 2 straight lines, 4) maaaaybe add a hem and some elastic at the top without bothering to iron either time, and 5) wear your new favorite skirt."

And that's basically it. Since it was so basic, I didn't take pictures as I went along, but I tried to take a few to demonstrate below.

1) Cut fabric - I just took a pencil skirt that I like and vaguely cut the fabric in a similar shape. It was a little tricky since I was working with a stretch jersey, but other than that, it was totally simple. I left about a half inch extra on either side for a seam allowance.

2) Pin - this was probably the hardest and most time-consuming part. I put the right sides together (the sides you'll eventually have facing out, basically) and then lined everything up. Since I was working with a stretchy fabric, it was hard to get it to always lay flat without stretching, since I didn't want it to look weird after I sewed it. Also, since it was stripey and I went with horizontal stripes, I had to line up the stripes with the front and back pieces, again, without stretching the fabric. Fairly self-explanatory, but it just took a while.
3) Sew - After I had everything pinned, I just sewed 2 straight lines along the sides of the skirt (still with right sides together). As you can see, I didn't even bother switching out my thread color since no one would see it, anyway (or so I thought before this tutorial). I didn't even bother finishing my edges with a zigzag seam or anything since my fabric was jersey and wouldn't fray. As you can see, I had too much of a seam allowance, but no big deal. I also didn't have stretchy thread or a special needle for knits on hand, so I just used regular, and it worked out fine.
4) Hem & Waistband - I was in a hurry, so I just did a quick little seam for the hem. I just folded up the bottom and stitched on top (I did actually remember to change out my thread color this time, you'll be glad to know). I didn't even do a double fold or iron or anything. I just folded up once, pinned, and sewed. For the waistband, I just folded it down (quite a lot, it turns out, since I had made it longer than I wanted), pinned, and sewed most of the way around, leaving an opening somewhere. Then I threaded the elastic through with a safety pin, sewed the elastic ends together when I'd gotten it all the way around, and then sewed the waistband opening down.
5) Wear Your Skirt!

Like I said, easiest skirt ever. WITH the excessive pinning and aligning, it probably took me 2 hours tops. It would probably take a more experienced seamstress 30 or 45 minutes. Easy but very cute and comfy!

Linking Up
Quick Outfits at Fashion's Greatest Hits
What I Wore Wednesday at Transatlantic Blonde
What I Wednesday at Captivated by the Beauty of Grace
What I Love Wednesdays at Lollipops Cards
365 Challenge at Two Thirty Five Designs
Friday Free For All at 5D5W
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28 comments

  1. KaylaFebruary 7, 2012 at 7:39 AM

    Preethi this outfit is so cute, i want to steal it! I too am obsessed with horizontal striped skirts... They are so versatile!
    Kayla
    seekaylago.blogspot.com

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  2. Dennis & ChelseaFebruary 7, 2012 at 7:54 AM

    so cute! i'm wearing the exact same payless boots right now!

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  3. BridgetFebruary 7, 2012 at 8:12 AM

    Oh, love love love this color combo!!

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  4. TheTinyHeartFebruary 7, 2012 at 8:18 AM

    I have a striped skirt too that I'm pretty in love with! I didn't make it myself though. Your skirt looks great paired with the mustard cardigan. :)

    -Sharon
    The Tiny Heart

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  5. EricaFebruary 7, 2012 at 9:09 AM

    First, this outfit is awesome. I love the grey with the mustard and stripes are always a win. Second, finally a sewing tutorial I can follow! Please - continue with the sewing for dummies tutorials. I need them!

    North Meets South

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  6. Messy Jess C.February 7, 2012 at 9:52 AM

    Love the gray and yellow together. It's one of my favorite color combos (they were our wedding colors). Impressed with the homemade skirt too! Nice work.

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  7. VictoriaFebruary 7, 2012 at 11:32 AM

    Yay! Thank you :) I hope that was me you were talking about who made you LOL at suggesting that you share your own amazing talents :) Now I've got the means and just need to muster the assertiveness to do it the courage to wear it!

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  8. SalazarFebruary 7, 2012 at 11:32 AM

    Very cute. I love the yellow and gray together, and the pop of turquoise is great!

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  9. KatieFebruary 7, 2012 at 4:47 PM

    that is awesome! I want to make one. : ) I'm pretty sure that fabric is the same as a scarf I posted about making a few weeks ago!

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  10. CourtneyFebruary 7, 2012 at 7:53 PM

    Good tutorial. I love getting new quick and easy sewing ideas.

    Courtney
    wearingwhatiwant.blogspot.com

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  11. MeganFebruary 8, 2012 at 5:32 AM

    Awesome! Your skirt turned out great! I love mustard and gray together, such a classic combo.

    Have a great day!!

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  12. TwoThirtyFiveDesignsFebruary 8, 2012 at 7:25 AM

    Awesome, totally digging the entire outfit!!! Feel free to link up ANY post at my 365 Challenge!!

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  13. rach_tFebruary 8, 2012 at 8:10 AM

    what a great colour palate, i love the pop of colour with the necklace too, so good against the mustard. And wow, you made that skirt?! amazing!!

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  14. Fashion Confessions of a MommyFebruary 8, 2012 at 9:11 AM

    I love this color combination of pastel greys with mustard and blue. The black tights and boots make it weather appropriate and anchor it.

    Visiting from 'What I Wore Wednesday'...

    Daphne.
    http://fashiondivamommy.blogspot.com

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  15. ChristyBFebruary 8, 2012 at 9:20 AM

    What a great tutorial. The skirt looks great. Love the whole outfit.

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  16. Melaina25February 8, 2012 at 3:06 PM

    Love the yellow and blue together!

    Make sure to read the new "rules" for WIWW. Not really rules but I'm asking people comment on at least two posts (main post+ 1 other) now.

    ReplyDelete
  17. outfit31.blogspot.comFebruary 8, 2012 at 3:59 PM

    Luv the gray with the yellow! Sure brightens up the day!!!

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  18. Kym ((bitty))February 8, 2012 at 6:23 PM

    this outfit rocks! thanks for sharing the skirt tutorial - even a sewing beginner of 12 years like me could probably pull it off. this skirt has now made my to-do list :)
    xo
    kym
    bitty.and.bunny

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  19. shopfreakFebruary 8, 2012 at 6:59 PM

    Love the outfit! Can't believe you made that skirt!

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  20. Megan, The Frugalista DiariesFebruary 8, 2012 at 8:22 PM

    stunning! great job.

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  21. MrsB @ crankymonkeys in londonFebruary 9, 2012 at 12:58 AM

    Great look! (I'm wearing a stripy skirt at the moment - all I need is a yellow cardigan! :) )

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  22. AnonymousFebruary 9, 2012 at 6:53 AM

    Theres something about your outfit that speaks to my heart too :) Thanks for the tutorital :) I have been wanting to try out making myself my own clothes but wouldnt even know where to start and I have a sewing machine in my closet. Newest follower
    -barbie @ Style of a Mrs.

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  23. maryFebruary 9, 2012 at 10:58 AM

    Impressed that you made that skirt--even if it was easy! Love it.

    (Found your post via What I Wore Wednesday.)

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  24. OksanaBFebruary 9, 2012 at 3:19 PM

    Nice to meet you, Preethi! I love your outfit, ecpecially the necklace and cardigan! I'm your newest follower, and invite you to join my blog as well if you're interested.

    ReplyDelete
  25. AnonymousFebruary 10, 2012 at 12:48 PM

    Thank you a bunch for sharing this with all folks you really recognize what you are speaking approximately! Bookmarked. Kindly also talk over with my site =). We can have a link change arrangement between us!
    Ergodyne ProFlex Hard-Cap Knee Pads; Type: Slip Resistent

    ReplyDelete
  26. Wendy MacFebruary 11, 2012 at 4:32 AM

    LOVE this skirt! Great outfit!!

    Wendy
    Wendymacdesigns.com

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  27. HeatherFebruary 13, 2012 at 1:20 PM

    This outfit is adorable - I LOVE it! Nice work on the skirt crafty girl! :)

    Heather
    kaizenfashionproject.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. AleshaFebruary 13, 2012 at 2:09 PM

    Love, Love, LOVE this outfit! I want to make this skirt for myself!
    Alesha <3
    http://tobless.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete

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