Hello friends! I actually sat at my sewing machine and sewed last week. I know! So exciting! Today I am going to share a quick and easy skirt tutorial made entirely from Fat Quarters. I have been in love with Pat Bravo’s Summerlove collection and used it to make the perfect summer skirt for my daughter.
Fabric requirements:
1″ wide elastic for waistband
10 Fat Quarters (I used this many because I wanted the variety of fabric but you could get by with as few as 6 FQ’s)
Set aside 1 Fat Quarter for the hem finish. Take the rest of the FQ’s and cut them in half lengthwise creating two 9″ x 22″ pieces. You will need 9 total of these pieces. (You can set aside the others for a different project, or use them to make a second skirt.)
Using a 3/8″ seam allowance, sew the pieces together to form one long strip of panels. Keep all the selvage edges on the same edge, lined up evenly.
Press the seam allowances to the side. Optional: topstitch over the seam allowances for extra stability.
Square off the raw edge (opposite the selvage edges) so that the bottom edge of the skirt panel is even.
From the remaining FQ (to use for the hemming edge) cut 5 strips 3″ x 22″ wide. Sew the strips together end to end to create one long strip.
Fold the strip in half lengthwise and press.
Pin raw edges of the folded strip to the wrong-side (back) of the bottom (not selvage) edge of the panel. Sew on using a 1/4″ seam allowance. Trim off excess.
Fold the panel up to the front of the skirt panel (raw edges should now be hidden underneath the hemming strip). Press carefully and then top-stitch at the top and bottom edge of the strip to give a nice finished hem.
Bring side edges of the skirt panel together, pin, and sew with a 3/8″ seam allowance to create a skirt “tube”.
Take unfinished top edge of the skirt and fold down about 2″. Because the selvages have a finished edge, I did not worry about turning that edge under, but if you don’t like the look of the selvages there, you could do so. Sew folded edge down to create a casing for the elastic, leaving a 2″ opening at the back to of the skirt open to insert the elastic.
Measure the amount of elastic you will need and thread it through the casing, gathering the skirt as you go. Bring elastic edges together and securely sew them to each other.
And voila- a very quick and simple summer skirt, perfect for showing off lots of pretty prints.
This skirt perfectly fits a size 10-12 size girl. You could easily make a smaller version by cutting the panels slightly shorter. You could also add more panels for a fuller version. Happy Sewing!
112 Comments
Kelly O.
August 20, 2012 at 10:32 amI just love this fabric! my summer memory isn't a favourite but moving over 2 hours away to a new home in the middle of a new city, church, job and school sure has been an adventure so far!
KVatt
August 20, 2012 at 10:34 amFishing with my grandpa and catching a huge Northern!
Dora, the Quilter
August 20, 2012 at 10:38 amI can think of several things for which that fabric would be perfect.<br />One of my favorite summer memories is of watching and sometimes catching fireflies. I now live where the altitude is so high that we do not have fireflies, and was thrilled when we were able to vacation where my daughter saw them for the first time.
giddy99
August 20, 2012 at 10:43 amBest summer memory? A BIG multi-family vacation to the beach (Gulf of Mexico) a few years back. A week of sunning, seafood and games. 🙂
Julie
August 20, 2012 at 10:47 amLove this color combination!
Jayme
August 20, 2012 at 11:00 amMy favorite summer memory is spending several weekend in a row at my favorite lake in Northern California. I would wake up to the smell of bacon cooking and the sounds of dogs barking kids splashing and boats running. LOvE. And I LOVE that bundle!!! Sooooo pretty!!!
B Greene
August 20, 2012 at 11:19 amWhat a great project – maybe I will have a granddaughter to sew for someday – sigh… My favorite summer memory is the fun we had swimming in our parents' pool. Fun, fun times 🙂
Sarina
August 20, 2012 at 11:19 amLove these colors! One thing I love is that my daughter still LOVES when I make her things… dresses, bags, quilts, anything.
Katy
August 20, 2012 at 11:40 amMy favorite summer memory is my 15 month old eating a giant piece of watermelon on 4th of July. It was the cutest mess I have ever seen and she was so happy. I follow Art Gallery Fabrics on twitter and their blog on my google reader.
Mom2RyandSis
August 20, 2012 at 11:40 amCute Skirt! Thanks for the chance to win!
Laura
August 20, 2012 at 11:40 amFavorite summer memory — water fights with our neighbor friends. And I love these fabrics and this skirt, so pretty!
Jill @ Create.Craft.Love.
August 20, 2012 at 11:41 amAdorable! What great fabrics! My favorite summer memory was watching my 2 year old get so excited to see Shamu at Sea World this summer. His excitement made me excited!
Lynn
August 20, 2012 at 11:51 amMy favorite summer memories are of the lake and beach with my family! I follow Agf on pinterest and via rss!
Cara at Handful of Treasures
August 20, 2012 at 11:56 amDone :)! I love the Summerlove color palette! I'm a newbie to sewing and uber-newbie to quilting, but my love runs deep 😀
Jan
August 20, 2012 at 11:59 amMy best summer memory is of camping with my family.
Jennie P.
August 20, 2012 at 12:16 pmMy favorite SUmmer memory is anytime I'd go to the lake house that my grandparents owned. Swimming all day and delicious food! You get so hungry when you swim all day. 🙂
Tiara
August 20, 2012 at 12:19 pmI love summer especially thr fresh fruit!
Joelle
August 20, 2012 at 12:25 pmDuring the summer we used to slide down the grass-covered hill behind our house on pieces of cardboard. It was so much fun. And summer lasted forever in those days. Now summer is over in a blink.
pinksuedeshoe
August 20, 2012 at 12:40 pmIt's lovely Amy! These are some of my favorite colors, and they look soo great all together. I would totally wear this. You know, a bit longer 🙂
Mimi
August 20, 2012 at 12:44 pmMy favorite summertime memory was having $.25 snow cones from Mendoza's store which was behind the city park which was across from my home. They were extra large with cherry and banana flavors and the best.
CJ
August 20, 2012 at 12:50 pmAdorable skirt! This summer's favorite memory – my daughter's wedding. 🙂
Becky
August 20, 2012 at 1:01 pmLove the fabric! My favorite summer activity is hanging out with my kids!
Holly Surplice
August 20, 2012 at 1:03 pmGorgeous skirt! Fav childhood memory is hay-making time on the farm, I still remember the smell of the fresh hay and how it felt when the sun was shining!
Tracy
August 20, 2012 at 1:12 pmSo cute! One of my favorite memories was spending a summer with my cousin on the farm in Minnesota, so much fun!
~Damita's Pretty Wrap~
August 20, 2012 at 1:13 pmLovely giveaway! Such pretty fabrics!! Going to look at your tutorial! 🙂 Happy Monday!xx Holly
Amber @ fromtheseeds
August 20, 2012 at 1:34 pmLove this fabric! I can't wait to start making summer memories with my new son! <3
trish
August 20, 2012 at 1:39 pmOh how cute! Heading over there now Amy.<br />I really want to learn how to sew my own<br />skirts and other garments. :o)<br />Have a great week. Love ya! Trish<br />ps. Will be playing with the Tapestry<br />mini real soon. Thanks so much!!
Donna
August 20, 2012 at 1:43 pmVery cute! I have subscribed and following on Pinterest! Thanks for the chance to win this great fabric.
Jen
August 20, 2012 at 1:56 pmLove this summery fabric! I follow them on FB and subscribe to their blog.
Melissa Corry
August 20, 2012 at 1:56 pmThis is so adorable Amy!!! You just blow me away with all of your amazingly adorable tutorials!!
Lisa
August 20, 2012 at 2:09 pmJust started following AFG on FB, and I will definitely be making this skirt. Maybe for the first day of school?!
Elisabet Molin
August 20, 2012 at 2:10 pmMy strongest memory of summer is my grand mother sitting in her blue rose patterned dress picking black currents. Sunshine and summer at its best! <br />
Allison
August 20, 2012 at 2:40 pmthis fabric is so pretty! thanks for the giveaway! 🙂
Kristine
August 20, 2012 at 2:50 pmThe skirt looks divine. My favourite summer memory is spending endless hours in the surf with my brother at our annual summer holiday up the coast.
Quiltjane
August 20, 2012 at 2:54 pmBeautiful fabric and great tutorial. My fondest summer memory is water skiing on the glassy water as the sun goes down over the bay (hearing the jaws music in my head and hoping I won't fall off the ski)
Miss Beau Jangles
August 20, 2012 at 3:00 pmMy favourite part of every summer is the Festival of Quilts, and now it's over for another year 🙁 Thanks for the chance x
Tracey
August 20, 2012 at 3:21 pmLovely fabrics and a great tutorial 🙂 My favorite part of summer is time with my kids on a more relaxed schedule (and no preparing school lunches)
Layne Bushell
August 20, 2012 at 3:22 pmI love this skirt…super cute. Just so happens I have a 10 year old DD who would love it! The fabric is amazing. My favorite summer memory is every year as a kid we'd travel from California to Montpelier, Idaho. We'd drive all night long (15 hours) and arrive at Bear Lake in the morning. I could hardly wait to crest Logan canyon and see the sparkling blue lake. Even to this day (I&#
Chelsea
August 20, 2012 at 3:28 pmSuch a cute skirt and gorgeous bundle! My best memory from this summer so far will be going swimming in the river with my dog on Saturday. The water was gorgeous but her reaction was the best part. She was so stressed! She's supposed to swim, mum and dad are supposed to stay out of the water. I think I kind of blew her mind!<br /><br />Thanks for the giveaway.
Heidi
August 20, 2012 at 3:51 pmI loved making sno cones in the summer when I was a kid.
Kristie
August 20, 2012 at 3:59 pmOh goodness, that looks like a breath of fresh air!
Kristine
August 20, 2012 at 4:36 pmlovely pattern, i think i might have to sew one up tomorrow!! favorite summer memory…being at the lake with my whole family ♥
dolores
August 20, 2012 at 4:38 pmWas thinking of you yesterday….as I perused the Antique Emporium in Frederick! Wasn't as fun as when we went there!! Sorry…no cool Pyrex!xoxo
annemarie
August 20, 2012 at 5:02 pmLovely skirt – my favorite memories are the time spent with my three little grandsons.
bethanndodd
August 20, 2012 at 5:07 pmADORABLE!!! If only I had a daughter!<br />Smiles~Beth
hueisei
August 20, 2012 at 5:19 pmLovely skirt. I loved swimming with my siblings 🙂
Becca
August 20, 2012 at 5:59 pmLove the fabric collection. My favorite summer memory is my son's wedding. It was a beautiful day!!
jemfl
August 20, 2012 at 6:12 pmGreat combo of fabrics! My memories of summer-walking to the playground for craft classes. Braiding gimp!
rinkcomms.net
August 20, 2012 at 6:13 pmCute, cute, cute fabrics! What a great way to end the summer! When I think back to my childhood summers, I remember running out after dinner to play with the other neighborhood kids until my dad whistled us home. He had this amazingly loud and distinct whistle, something like "whee-you-WEEEEEEEE-you!" and when we heard it, no matter what we were doing, we were to head home. Other kids
FalkFamily
August 20, 2012 at 6:38 pmCute fabrics – One of my favorite summer memories is the 4th of July – we have such a great tradition and the kiddos are really starting to enjoy it and look forward to it every year.
Jezibels ~ sproutbabysprout.blogspot.com
August 20, 2012 at 7:01 pmMy favorite summertime memory is camping at Devils Lake and taking breaks from swimming to snack cubes of cheddar cheese and strawberries on a blanket on the beach!
pizzaeater
August 20, 2012 at 7:09 pmMy favorite summer memory is going to the movies with my dad. I saw some great movies back then. Also, a favorite summer memory was going to the Central library with my dad. Those trips were the reasons I love to read so much.
Vanessa
August 20, 2012 at 7:12 pman ongoing favorite summer memory would have to be going to the pool here on the farm with our 9yr old grandson :-)Luv these fabrics and your cute skirt, Thank You!
sunnieday4u
August 20, 2012 at 7:30 pmThat fabric is wonderful. My favorite summer memories are all the great vacations I took with my family growing up.
Marcia W.
August 20, 2012 at 7:57 pmWe follow AGF on FB and Pinterest (under Margaret W. and Margaret Quilts), and subscribe to the Art Gallery Fabrics blog. This is a cute skirt and does look like would be quick and easy to make. Thanks for the chance to win AGF fabrics, and the tutorial.
CJ & Mel
August 20, 2012 at 8:01 pmSummer = sun = fun. Thanks for the opportunity. I've liked AGF for awhile on FB already!<br /><br />m_opel(at)yahoo(dot)com
Margaret
August 20, 2012 at 8:17 pmMy favorite memory is picking blackberries with my sisters and bringing tons (well, not literally) of them home to my mom who made blackberry pies. Mmmmmm
bets
August 20, 2012 at 8:35 pmFavorite memories are just spending the summer in MN with my grandchildren! Live in the south all winter so this is fun! Have 2 Little girls to make skirts for…..great tutorial!
Melissa
August 20, 2012 at 8:47 pmBeautiful! I love spending time with friends. Random adventures.
Gunilla
August 20, 2012 at 9:14 pmRecent summer memory: an evening swim in a lake just 4 minutes walk from my home. The woods surrounding the lake, the eater soft and refreshing… Love it!
Lisa in Port Hope
August 20, 2012 at 9:35 pmRunning through the sprinkler, with the grass all crispy under my bare feet because we didn't usually water the lawn. I follow AGF on Facebook as well as their blog (and yours, do I get bonus points?)
SewSealy
August 20, 2012 at 9:35 pmCute skirt. 🙂 I am curious, on the inside seams, you didn't mention you used a serger or zig zag over them. Are you concerned that they will fray over time or will it be okay not to? It's such a cute skirt. The fabric is perfect! I would love to win and make my own. 🙂 Thank you for the give away! I follow Art Gallery's block and Facebook.
TrudyS
August 20, 2012 at 10:02 pmWith Spring/Summer looming around the corner in the southern hemisphere I can imagine so many uses for this soft summery range of fabrics, gorgeous!
Haley
August 20, 2012 at 10:20 pmSuch lovely fabrics. My favorite summer memory is hunting shells on the beach with my family. I follow the Art Gallery Blog and follow them on twitter. Thanks for the nifty tutorial. So cute!
Anita
August 20, 2012 at 11:46 pmVery cute skirt! Love the fabric! My favorite summer memory is spending the day at Golden Gate park feeding the ducks and walking through the gardens.
Zuzan
August 21, 2012 at 1:05 amLove Art Gallery fabrics Pat Bravo & Bari J. so thank you for this giveaway. My favourite summer memory is the beach, walking in the shallow water to feel crabs hidden under foot or trying to get worms from the sand which were yards long. I never got the knack but some would just extract them taller than they were. Amazing. Hot sand, cold water, sun setting, kids again,<br /><br />Thank
diane
August 21, 2012 at 2:46 amcute skirt, love the fabrics, I follow AGF on Twitter and their blog. My favorite summer memory…12 years old, laying on the driveway at 10 pm getting a "moon tan".
Rosa
August 21, 2012 at 3:03 amThose fabrics are just beautiful and my favorite summer memory when I was a child is riding a bike with friends and eating ice cream,going to the pool.Now I love go to the beach ,walking and tapas with.<br /><br />your skirt is just elegant and beautiful!!<br /><br />I`m a happy follower of you and Art Gallery Fabrics.Thanks for the giveaway!!
Siobhán
August 21, 2012 at 4:24 amI follow Art Gallery Fabrics on my yahoo page and follow your blog as well. Oh, and I follow AGF on Twitter, too.<br /><br />LOVE the skirt! It's so cute!<br /><br />My favorite summer memory is of the years before the recession hit us so badly and we were able to go home to the US and visit my side of the family and all of our friends. Sigh… Please God we'll get to that point again!
Cherilyn
August 21, 2012 at 5:31 amMy favorite memory of summer is staying out late and catching fire flies. I am a follower.
Quilt Knightly
August 21, 2012 at 6:12 amI've been enjoying your blog. Beautiful!
Karen P.
August 21, 2012 at 6:51 amI follow art gallery on fb. & now also their blog.<br />I love going camping in the summer!
Briawna
August 21, 2012 at 6:59 amhonestly, my favorite thing about summer is being to just relax with my kids at the pool. they get worn out, i get a tan. everyone's happy. i follow AGF on FB and pinterest, as well as follow their blog in reader. thanks!
Nancy
August 21, 2012 at 7:58 amI thik that skirt is adorable and I love the fabrics you used. Thanks for having a giveaway and thanks for the tutorial. <br />nanrae44@hotmail.com<br />
Christy
August 21, 2012 at 8:04 amThanks for the FQ give away. I love your skirt! My fav summer memory is wading in a cool creek with my brother and sisters,(that we were told not go near to by our parents). Of course one of us fell in so we were busted.
Lynn Dix
August 21, 2012 at 8:15 amGreat tutorial…My favorite summer memory is making clover chains and wearing them on our heads or around our necks.
Jacklynn
August 21, 2012 at 8:19 amThanks for the give away – my favorite summer memory is waking up and having the whole day ahead of me to do what I wanted – no school! I would usually end up walking to the neighborhood pool and go swimming.
Jacklynn
August 21, 2012 at 8:20 amI follow AGF blog and on Facebook.
Sharon
August 21, 2012 at 10:16 amI subscribe to agf.<br />I took a summer vacation in Hawaii this year. I loved snorkeling
no_idea
August 21, 2012 at 10:35 amI love summer for the lack of schedules! It's nice to kick back and spend time together. Thank you for the chance, I am a follower.
Jane M.
August 21, 2012 at 10:40 amI love to work in the garden in the summer, but only until it gets too hot, then its indoors for quilting!<br />
oAnholt
August 21, 2012 at 12:01 pmMy favorite summers were spent at the city pool. The smell of chlorine and cracker jacks still takes me back…
TheMugglePuggle
August 21, 2012 at 12:33 pmMy favorite summer memories always involve family vacations. The two that stand out are a 3 week long road trip throughout all of California's great sights, and the others are all of our Disney vacations. I've been to Disney World too many times to count…
blondie19012k
August 21, 2012 at 3:01 pmI love to take my little boy to the splash pools or the beach in summer, lots of good memories of doing that :)<br />Love the skirt :)<br />I follow and subscribe to AGF too!
Caryn
August 21, 2012 at 5:58 pmMy favorite summer memory was two years ago when we took my then two-year old daughter to the ocean for the first time. She loved it! 🙂 Thanks for the chance to win – this fabric is so lovely!<br /><br />Caryn (www.sewneatbycaryn.com)
Addibrae
August 21, 2012 at 8:54 pmMy favourite summer memories are of the beach
Ampligen Patient with CFS
August 21, 2012 at 9:09 pmI had a fun summer memory the other day when a pod of dolphins surfaced just yards away when I was dipping my feet in the ocean.
Sherri
August 21, 2012 at 9:17 pmIt's such a great skirt Amy…and the fabrics are beautiful! My favorite summer memory is chasing fireflies as a little girl while visiting my Grandparents in Iowa! They were such a magical thing that we didn't have in Nevada!
MB
August 21, 2012 at 9:25 pmSuch a cute skirt. I have a 12 year old girl that I could possibly convince to actually wear a skirt if she had one like this. We could also make a mini version for her 2 year old sister. My favorite summer memory is watching my dad's face turn red after I see him looking at a pretty girl on the beach and informing him that she was in my class at school. So funny!
Carolyn
August 21, 2012 at 9:35 pmI adore fat quarters! Especially the ones you picked. Cute! My favorite summer memories involve southeastern Idaho – miserable in the winter, but absolutely incredible during the summer (a season I never appreciated while living in so. NV). When you could see the Tetons clearly, they were absolutely breathtaking! Even though summer lasted for just a couple of months, hiking at the Palisades in
Pugs
August 21, 2012 at 9:38 pmOur little local water park, "Cherry Hill" in Farmington Utah, is our memory making location. Fun in the Sun! I love the colors of this current giveaway. So warm and sunny. I would be tickled pink to win.
dreamalittledreamalot
August 22, 2012 at 4:48 amCloud watching by the river near my house would be my favourite summer memory. I'd love to make something bright and beautiful from these fabrics!
Leah
August 22, 2012 at 6:02 amThat is a beautiful skirt! And the fabrics are wonderful!
Amy Gibson
August 22, 2012 at 7:16 amCute tut, Amy! I always love seeing the fun quick projects you come up with for fat quarters- you have a gift my friend! XO
Amy Gibson
August 22, 2012 at 7:18 amPS- I am loving the note on your comment form and I couldn't possibly agree more. BLOGGER IS MAKING ME INSANE! Don't they hear the 1000s and 1000s of bloggers griping all over the net about this problem? It's maddening. Hoping an easy solution is found soon, for all of our sakes! XO
amers56
August 22, 2012 at 8:12 amlovely skirt and fabrics! my favorite summer memory is glastonbury festival! (all of them, haha). I am hoping to add to my favourite summer memories with the birth of my little girl in a couple of weeks 🙂
andri.
August 22, 2012 at 8:34 amMy favourite summer memory is hanging out with friends and family for a trip:)<br />andri_chama(at)yahoo(dot)com
Miss Kim
August 22, 2012 at 9:21 amGreat skirt. My favorite summer memory? Popsicles.
HKittrell
August 22, 2012 at 1:48 pmMy favorite summer memory is camping at the lake and spending the entire day in the water!
KurtzCrafts
August 22, 2012 at 2:29 pmThe skirt is so beautiful! Thank you for sharing! My favorite summer memory would be toes in the sand, planted on a towel next to my husband!
clairesoprano
August 22, 2012 at 3:31 pmMy favorite summer memory is sitting in a cabin in the mountains while the rain is falling and the fog is rolling in! Thanks for the giveaway!
Amber
August 22, 2012 at 11:53 pmAhhh… I just can't get enough of Art Gallery. Nothing better than their silky soft feel. And your stack of fq's with those soft tones…to die for! Love love love! Thanks Amy and Art Gsllery Fabrics<br />-Amber!
Jocelyn
August 23, 2012 at 6:43 amLove this fabric! My favorite summer memory is of visiting relatives in beautiful western NY. It was always so much fun hanging out with everyone and being in the country for a while.
Elaine
August 23, 2012 at 2:14 pmI love your projects! Thank you for sharing your talents! <br /><br />
fashionmommie
August 23, 2012 at 6:23 pmMy favorite summer memory this summer was getting to go to a work related seminar in historic Leiscter England and getting to tour London on the weekend.
Stephanie
August 23, 2012 at 8:57 pmMy favorite summer memory is spending two weeks in Michigan with our family. We are military and we only get to see them twice a year. Not enough! Ice cream, cook outs, country life, swimming, cousins, kayaking, and kittens. Hugs and kisses… oh the memories! Shuttermom77 at gmail dot com
Rachel S
August 24, 2012 at 7:31 amI really love the pinks in this collection. One of my favorite summer memories was camping in the Dells.
Stephanie
August 24, 2012 at 6:46 pmLove the Summerlove collection!!
Laura
August 24, 2012 at 7:30 pmLove these fabrics! My favorite summer memory is seeing Lady Antebellum in concert. Such a fun night! <br />Thanks for the chance to win!
Anne Rita
August 24, 2012 at 11:56 pmBoth the fabrics and the skirt so nice! Thanks!<br /><br />I've got mye best summer memories being at my grandparents house by the sea, fishing and bathing and doing all kinds of fun stuff.
mary ford
August 8, 2013 at 12:01 amI don't really have a favorite summer memory but I love going to the beach and backyard bbq's. Anyway thanks for the chance to win.
June @ QuiltQuest
July 29, 2017 at 8:30 pmVery cute skirt – thanks for sharing. Will try to make one soon!