Saturday 24 November 2012

DIY Heart Pockets Skirt (from scratch!)

This is how you make what I have decided to dub "the cutie patootie skirt". It's meant to look kitschy and handmade - so if you're only new to sewing, this may be a perfect project for you as any misaligned stitches will only make the skirt look even more adorable :)

What you need: Any fabric that you can wrap around your waist about 1 and a half times, and is long enough to be appropriate. A sewing machine is helpful, but not necessary. Scissors, pins, and a thread which is a contrasting colour to your fabric and so stands out! (I used white thread for the brown skirt, and bright pink thread for the blue one).
Step 1: Get any fabric that you can wrap around your waist at least 1 and a half times.
Then fold it so you get the length that you want. Add a couple of inches, and cut this rectangle out.
You should now have a rectangle like this (do yourself a favour and use a less crinkly fabric as well, haha).
Step 2: fold over one edge of the fabric. This is going to be the casing for your waistband. Sew all down the edge (like in the picture) BUT leave a small gap, where you will insert the waistband into.
Step 3: Fold up the other edge a bit and sew all along this time. This is the bottom of your skirt.
Step 4: Fold the whole thing in half, right sides facing together. Sew along the raw edges (see diagram). Don't sew over the waistband just yet - go back and finish up the job once you've completed steps 5, 6 & 7 (inserting the elastic). Anyway, now you should have a wide tube-type thingy that's beginning to resemble a skirt! It's time to add the elastic.
Step 5: wrap your elastic around your waist, pulling it tight (not too tight, just so it's comfortable). Then cut it off.
Also please ignore my sewing outfit. It's ridiculous. I know. Shush.
Step 6: Stick a safety pin through the end of your elastic. This will help guide your elastic through your waistband casing.
Step 7: Thread the elastic all the way through, making sure you don't lose the end! The fabric around the waistband will bunch up - that's good, that's what you want it to do :) You should now have something resembling a skirt, hopefully! Go back to step 4 and sew over the waistband part. Now you can add some cute pockets!
Step 8: Make your pockets. Use contrasting fabric, or the same fabric you used for the skirt, or any fabric you like - get creative, do whatever you like! Lace pockets work really well - it's what I used for my blue skirt (although they aren't exactly good for use as actual pockets, they look good!) Once you've made them, pin your pockets onto the front of the skirt however you want them to sit, and sew around the edges of them (everywhere but the top, if you want them to work as functioning pockets!)
Additional step: you can also add suspenders like I did with the blue skirt (see a tutorial for that here).
Step 9: strut yo' stuff. 
All in all this sewing project is quite simple and only took around 2 hours to complete at a leisurely pace (this is including suspenders). It's a good one for beginners!
Let me know if you have any questions. I will be happy to answer them!

28 comments:

  1. I'll try to make one for me, thanks for sharing this great tuto :D

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  2. adorable! I must try this at some point :-)

    Francesca xo
    http://goingroundthemulberrybush.blogspot.co.uk

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  3. Just ordered some elastic, can't wait to have ago at making this skirt :D

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  4. This looks awesome, I always love your DIY tutorials!

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  5. nice tutorial.. will try this :)
    Irene Wibowo

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  6. Super cute! I'm gonna have to try this.

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  7. omg this is awesome! you're seriously talented. i really need to learn how to sew and start trying things like this. and your blog is awesome as hell. i was scrolling through forever. i love it. :P

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  8. So cute! I can't wait to make this over my Christmas break.

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  9. You are so crafty, the hearts are super cute!

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  10. You are so crafty! The hearts are super cute!

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  11. Truly awesome DIY! I saw yr earlier post about the blue one and thought ' WANT ME ONE OF THEM' so a massive high five is in order for posting this :)
    Betti x

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  12. Thanks for this post! Now it seems super easy, hope I will manage to try it!

    makeitshineup.blogspot.com

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  13. Hi There!

    I just came across your blog via pinterest and I LOVE IT! Hope you don't mind me following. You are extremely talented! If you would like, I would love it if you could follow me too!

    <3
    Samantha
    biochicgeek.blogspot.com

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  14. i love this DIY, sweetie, please tell me, where is this violet shirt from ?
    http://coeursdefoxes.blogspot.com/

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    Replies
    1. Hey Katie, its from romwe but it appears to not be for sale anymore :(

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    2. ahhh actually it's here! http://www.romwe.com/abstract-pattern-print-purple-buttoned-shirt-p-47773.html

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  15. I love how simple and fun these are!

    x

    Marielle

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  16. Weee! This is so nice! I'm into DIYs lately and I will try this at home. I'm surprised that you're the one making your skirts :) Cute color and print combinations :)

    - Sai from Fashion by Sai

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  17. Quick Question: WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR FABRIC FROM?! I have been looking everywhere with no luck.. what is the average price you would spend?

    Lily xxx

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    Replies
    1. well all this fabric was actually free because an old lady that my mum knew passed away and she had a LOT of fabric which I fortunately got to inherit! I've been very lucky with fabric. I used to go to spotlight but it's ridiculously expensive. I can tell you some cheaper places around sydney if you're from there, but otherwise, I don't really think I can be of much help to you!

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  18. Hi Annika!

    I really love this DIY tutorial and the outcome of the skirts! I think its adorable and the heart pockets are super cute.
    I've been a DIYer for years but I always thought that uneven stitches wouldn't look great. But this one proved me wrong.
    Thanks for sharing this awesome idea.

    Jade

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  19. Hey, I did a whole dress with the pocket skirt tutorial of yours! I'm really glad with it. You're such an inspiration for me <33

    My next project is the pinafore skirt with the bear! I'm trying to design it, but doing my own patterns is really hard. You should totally do an tutorial on how to do your own patterns!

    Well, for the dress, it's this one:
    http://lookbook.nu/look/4465637-Looking-for-cherries

    Thanks for all your diys <33

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    Replies
    1. It's so awesome :) I left a comment on the look about it!

      For the bear pinafore I basically just made a circle shape (well, two circles, sewed them together with the right sides facing each other, leaving a small gap and then flipped it the right way around) and attached that to the skirt, haha. I didn't draft a pattern as such before I made it, it was more just trial-and-error...

      But yeah if I get around to it, I'll definitely make a tutorial!

      xx Annika

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  20. What width did you make your skirt? (:

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    Replies
    1. Well i just wrapped the fabric around my waist 1 and a half times. Which ended up being 37.5 inches for me because my waist is 25 inches :)

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  21. these are soo vintage looking and cute! i'm going to try this

    www.thelovelyshack.com
    Jen

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Thank you so much for taking the time to leave me a message! I read every single one. Don't forget to check back for a reply if you leave a question! ♥

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