Project by Angela Harkness
Ability/skill level of project: Beginner/Easy
Supplies:
0.5m Happy and Glorious fabric
1m White Cotton fabric
Wide red waistband elastic
Coordinating thread
Buttons
Elastic Hair Band
Brooch back fastener
Dress up for the Platinum Street Party celebrations with this simple double layer girls circle skirt. As it is such a quick make, you can easily make it for all of the skirt wearing members of the family by following the method with the different measurements to have a matching set!
Step 1: Let’s do the maths!
Measure the circumference of the waist (22”)
Add 2” for wriggle room (22”+2”=24”)
Find the radius of the circle by dividing the circumference by 6.28 (24/6.28=3.82)
Round up/down to the nearest ¼” (3.75”)
Measure from the waist to the knee to give the length of the skirt (13”)
Add together the radius and the length (3.75”=13”=16.75”)
Step 2: Cutting!
Fold base fabric (white) into quarter as in diagram, take note of fold line position
Orange= waist measurement 3.75”
Blue= length measurement 16.75”
Mark the waist and length measurements as per your calculations and then cut out.
Repeat for the top layer fabric (patterned) with a shorter length of 7” (This may be longer or shorter depending on personal preference).
This will give you two fabric circles with the waistline cut out like a doughnut!
Step 3: Stitching the hem on the top circle layer
Fold over a double 1/4” hem around the bottom edge of the doughnut
Press in place
Stitch the hem in place 1/8” from the folded edge
Step 4: Joining the two fabric ‘doughnuts’
Position the two fabric doughnuts together with right sides together
Pin in place
Stitch around the waistline with a 0.5” seam allowance
Turn through and press the seam
Step 5: Stitching the hem on the bottom circle layer
Fold over a double 1/4” hem around the bottom edge of the doughnut
Press in place
Stitch the hem in place 1/8” from the folded edge
Step 6: Making the waistband
Cut the waistband elastic at the actual waistband measurement (22”)
Join the edges of the elastic with a ½” seam allowance, using a coordinating thread
Open the elastic seam and topstitch down each side
Step 7: Attaching the waistband
Fold the skirt waistline into four and mark each quarter point with a pin
Repeat with the elastic
Match the pins together and pin the elastic to each of the quarter points on the skirt
If it is a bigger waist, you may need to do this in eight sections
Using either a zigzag or a stretch stitch, width 5.5, stitch the two together. As you are stitching pull the elastic to the next pin.
Give the skirt a good press and it is ready to wear.
How to make matching accessories:
The accessories are made using the traditional ‘Suffolk Puff’ of fabric yo-yo. This is an interchangeable term used on different sides of the globe, with yo-yo being used more in America.
Step 1: Cutting the fabric
Cut 7.5” circles of fabric out of the white and patterned fabrics
Step 2: Making the Suffolk Puff
Turn over the edge of the circle by ¼”
Using a needle and thread, stitch a small running stitch around the outer edge of the fabric circle
Carefully pull up the thread to gather the circle
Step 3: Decorating the Suffolk Puff
Choose two coordinating buttons and stitch these to the centre of the Suffolk Puff. Layering two large buttons on top of each other works well, or alternatively, you could add a little cluster of miniature buttons.
Step 4: Attaching the Suffolk Puff to the project
Stitch the decorated Suffolk Puff to an elastic hair band or sew a metal brooch back fastener to the back of the Suffolk Puff...or maybe make one of each!
Now you’re all ready for the biggest event of the year, the Platinum Jubilee Party!
To see more from Angela follow her on Instagram @angerellas_crafts.
Made by Angela Harkness for The Craft Cotton Co 2022.