Banner Day Skirt

Ellen Luckett Baker is author of The Long Thread, where she writes about her adventures with sewing, crafting, and kids. Her book 1, 2, 3 Sew was recently published by Chronicle Books and her debut fabric collection for Moda, Quilt Blocks, will be available by the end of this month. Ellen lives in Atlanta with her husband, two daughters, and a growing number of pets.

This skirt features my new Quilt Blocks collection with festive bunting triangles to celebrate the warmer weather! With a simple elastic waist and quick patchwork hem with a lined band, this skirt comes together in a snap. This skirt fits a size 6, but is easily adjustable by adding or subtracting an inch or two of length. I have two daughters, ages seven and nine, who wear simple handmade skirts like this almost every day. As I was making this skirt, I realized how easily this pattern could be adjusted to make a pillowcase, or curtains for a child's room. Or this design made into a quilt with rows of banners would be perfect for a new baby.

Note: For a proper fit, be sure to measure your child's waist to determine the length of the elastic.

Charm Pack or eleven 5" squares of Quilt Blocks fabric

1/2 yard Flying Geese in Spectrum color way

1/2 yard white cotton

One yard 1" elastic

Matching thread

Seam Allowance: 1/4"

Step 1: CUT FABRIC.

Cut triangles according to the template {included in the Printer Friendly Version at the bottom of this post}. 

You will need 11 patterned triangles and 12 solid white triangles. Cut the white fabric for the back of the hem to 39 1/2" x 4 1/4". Cut the Flying Geese fabric to 39 1/2" x 15". 

Step 2: MAKE PATCHWORK FRONT OF HEM BAND.

With one patterned triangle and one white triangle right sides facing, sew them together on one of the long sides, as shown in the image. 

Continue sewing triangles together, alternating patterned and white fabric to create the bunting flag design. Press all seams towards the darker fabric.

Step 3: LINE AND FINISH THE HEM BAND.

Once you have sewn all of the triangles together and pressed the joined fabric strip, you will sew the end triangles to one another, forming the band. Then, sew the white fabric right sides together along the short ends to form the lining band (with a 1/4" seam allowance). You will now have two hem band pieces as shown in the photo. 

Place the white fabric band inside the patterned triangle band with right sides facing. Pin together and sew together along the side with the tips of the patterned triangles. This will form the bottom hem. Press the seam open, then press the joined piece flat with the white fabric backing the patterned band. 

Step 4: SEW THE BAND TO THE SKIRT PIECE.

Next, take the larger skirt piece and sew the short ends with right sides facing, forming the side hem of the skirt (still using a 1/4" seam allowance). Follow with an overcasting or zig-zag stitch to prevent fraying. Place the triangle band piece inside the skirt tube, with right sides facing and raw edges aligned. Sew together, then use an overcasting or zig-zag stitch. Press the hem flat and topstitch just 1/8" above the seam as shown in the photo.

Step 6: CREATE THE WAISTBAND.

Working on the wrong side of the fabric, fold the unfinished top edge of the skirt down by 1/2" and press. Fold again by 1 1/2" and stitch in place, 1 1/4" from the top, forming the elastic casing. Be sure to leave an opening of 2" - 3", as shown in the photo, to insert the elastic.

Place a safety pin at the end of the elastic and insert the elastic into the casing. Feed it through and pull it out the other side. Lay the elastic over itself and sew it together with a zig-zag stitch. Push it into the elastic casing and close the opening in the casing with a straight stitch.

One Banner Day Skirt!

Happy Sewing! 

Ellen Luckett Baker
www.thelongthread.com

Look! My new book 1,2,3 Sew from Chronicle Books is available now.