SYS~Bookworm Skirt

I’m so excited to finally start this series! 

My mind has been overflowing with ideas and I know all the bloggers I have lined up are eager to show you their creations!

First up is this fun and studious skirt for you or your little one. 

The skirt is super simple to create and uses up alot of odd-sized scraps! 

It even uses up the actual selvedge where the fabric design and designer is printed as the book titles.  So fun!

I first saw and pinned this mini quilt as my inspiration.   Her process was a bit more involved then I wanted to get, so I made up my own simple, quick way to create the books…

I love the finished product and it wears so easily.

What’s that?  Can’t live without one?  Follow along then…

MATERIALS

1/2 yard White Linen

Odd sized scraps

Bias tape

First, determine who’s wearing this skirt.  Measure their waist and then add 75% to it to determine the width.  I made this one for my daughter and her waist is 20”.  So, I cut the width to be 35”.  The length of the skirt will depend on where you want it to fall.  I suggest at least knee length. Once you decide on a length, add 1.5” .  So, my rectangle is 35” x17”.

I’m sure you have alot of this shaped scrap lying around, no?  We are gonna use them up!

Cut down the odd-shaped piece so that is a rectangle.  You will need several different lengths and widths, so don’t cut them all the same!

Fold the rectangle over wrong sides together and sew a 1/8” seam down the side

Place the seam at the back and press

Fold the ends in on one side and press

Keep an eye on your books and making sure you have varied heights

You’re going to want to place some ‘titles’ on a few of your ‘books’ to add interest.  Sew on a few selvedge edge design titles

Cute!

Once you are satisfied with your arrangement, take a picture!  You don’t want to loose track!

 
Pin on your first book, aligning raw edges and making sure it is STRAIGHT!  Sew a close edge stitch around the entire book (3 sides)

Continue sewing each book on individually

Once all the books are sewn on, fold the skirt over right sides together and sew a seam down the side

Serge or zig-zag the seam to keep from fraying

Get your bias tape and notice one side is a tad shorter on one side.  Make sure to put that shorter side on the right side of the fabric.

  Sew on the bias tape keeping your stitch close to the edge of the tape

 
Finish the top by ironing over 1/4” then again 1” to hide the raw edge.  Stitch the folded edge over leaving an opening to thread your elastic through.  Zig-zag the elastic to secure and close up the skirt.
 

You’re done!

Now head to the Library and read some books!

Or just wreak havoc, like we did…

If you make a Bookworm Skirt, post it into our Flickr group so we can see whatcha been makin’!

Now go get busy!

Update: The bookworm Skirt won Judges Choice at Crafterhous 2011 Skirt Week Contest

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