Tiered Skirt Tutorial

Have you seen all those cute tiered skirts out there?  I have.  I was trying to decide what to make for my girls to wear on Valentine's Day this year.  I decided to go with tiered skirts.  I love the way they turned out!

This skirt requires a bit of math, so get your calculators ready!

NOTE: This skirt could also be made for an adult using the same formula.

 Supplies:

• yardage of fabric (based on size of person, tiers, and length of skirt)
• 3/4 inch non-rolling elastic 
• coordinating thread
• scissors  
• rotary cutter and mat (optional)
• paper
• pencil or pen
• calculator (optional)
• sewing machine 
• iron
• ironing board or mat

Start by measuring the waist of the person for whom this skirt is intended.
Determine the length of the skirt by measuring from the waist to where you want the hem.
Determine how many tiers you want.


You can now formulate the measurements for the skirt.
You will cut strips for each tier. The width of the tiers will equal the length of your skirt divided by the number of tiers plus seam allowances and allowances for a hem and a waistband.   Add two inches to the first tier for the waistband.  Add one inch to each of the middle tiers  for seam allowances (half inch for the upper seam allowance and half an inch for the lower seam allowance).  Add one and a half inches for hem and seam allowances on the bottom tier.

Now, to determine the length of the tiers.  Remember that waist measurement?  You will use that now.  Depending on how full you want your tiers to be, you will multiply that times 1.5 or 2.  I will use 2 for this tutorial on a 22 inch waist. On the red and white skirts, I used1.5 (you can look at the pictures to help determine how full you want your skirt to be).  For the length of each tier, multiply the previous tier times 2 (or 1.5 if you are wanting the less gathered tiers).

Here is a brief recap:
Waist measurement = 22 inches
Length of skirt = 18 inches
Number of tiers = 4
Length divided by number of tiers = X  (4.5)
Width of 1st tier  = X+2  (4.5 + 2 = 6.5)
Width of 2nd and 3rd tiers = X+1  (4.5 + 1 = 5.5)
Width of 4th tier = X+1.5  (4.5 + 1.5 = 6)
Length of first tier = Waist x 2 = A (A = 44)
Length of second tier = A x 2 = B (B = 88)
Length of third tier = B x 2 = C (C = 176)
Length of fourth tier = C x 2 = D (D = 352)

On to cutting the fabric!

I used a rotary cutter, self healing mat, and ruler to cut my fabric.  You may also mark your fabric and cut with scissors.  Here is a picture of a strip that I just cut.
Because the fabric is 44 inches wide and my first tier needed to be 44 inches, I folded the fabric the same way it was folded on the bolt to cut the strips.  I cut one strip for the first tier (44 inches long by 6.5 inches wide).  For the second tier, I cut 2 strips 44 inches long by 5.5 inches wide, totaling 88 inches long by 5.5 inches wide (it doesn't matter if it ends up slightly shorter due to seams, just go with it).  For the third tier, I cut 4 strips 44 inches long by 5.5 inches wide, and the fourth tier I cut 8 strips 44 inches long by 6 inches wide.

Here is a picture of all the strips for the 4 tiers of the skirt. I am using 2 coordinating fabrics and alternating them.

I like to start from the hem and work up to the waistband.

1.  Take all of the strips for the top tier of the skirt and sew them together into one continuous piece.  Press seams out.  If you need to finish off the raw edges, you can use a zigzag stitch or serger.
Repeat for each tier.

On the bottom tier, turn a half inch along one edge of the tier, pressing.  Turn again.  Stitch along the upper edge of the hem.  

2.  To gather, stitch a 1/4 inch from top edge using a long stitch (I use a stitch length of 5 on my machine, but all of the other machines I have used gathered at a stitch length of 4).  Then stitch again a 1/4 inch front the first row of stitching.  With really long tiers, you can do the gathering stitches in sections.

3.  Pull the threads on ONE side of the fabric to gather.  Be sure not to pull so hard that you break the thread- if using a good quality thread this won't be an issue.

Pin the gathered edge to the next tier of fabric, right sides together.  Stitch 1/2 inch from the edged, making sure that you are using a normal stitch length again.  Finish off the raw edges with a serger or by sewing a zigzag stitch.

Turn right side out and press seam allowance up toward the upper tier (ungathered edge).

I like to do an 1/8 inch topstitch to make it look more professional.  This is optional, but it really does look nice!

4.  Repeat steps 2 and 3 for all tiers except the top tier.



5.  Turn under 1/4 inch on the top edge of the top tier,  pressing as you go.

Turn again, this time turning 1 inch,  pressing as you go.

Stitch 1/8 inch seam around both edges to create casing for the elastic, leaving a 2 inch opening.

Measure the wearer's waist.  Cut your elastic 1-2 inches longer.  Thread through the casing (I usually use a safety pin for this).  Overlap the two ends of the elastic and stitch using a zigzag stitch, going back and forth several times.  Check the fit.  Pull the elastic inside the casing and finish by stitching the opening closed.

Variations:
You can cut your strips in continuous strips down the length of your fabric if you don't want seams other than on the sides.  This takes more time and effort, but I did it on the red and white skirts that I made.

You can do patchwork tiers as well.  This is a little more time consuming, but can look gorgeous.  Maybe I will do a tutorial on patchwork someday.  I'm not promising anything at the moment, though!



***If you have any questions please leave a comment and I will try to answer it!***

The best find...

I found the best blog ever.  Okay, maybe not the best ever- but the best DIY furniture blog I've ever seen!  It is targeted for someone who has minimal tools and experience working with wood.  You really should check it out.
I discovered it when a fellow blogger posted about a desk she made.

Yep.  She made it.  Click on the picture to go to the post.

When I saw that, I thought to myself, "I can totally make that too!"  I mean, I have been wanting this particular desk set for so long.  I could never spend that much, though.  But now I can have it for a price I can afford (plus a little labor).  Don't be afraid if you don't own a saw.  You can pay a little extra and get your wood cut at your local store (such as Home Depot, Lowes, or in my old hometown- Jerry's).  This blog is brought to you by Ana White.  Go and check it out!  Knock-Off Wood

Now the only question is: which one do I make first?
I'm thinking the Modular Office Collection Project Table!

Amy Butler Bags

Hey!  Have you tried this bag pattern from Amy Butler yet? 

It's so easy!  I love it.  I am using this as my handbag right now and sometimes I wonder if it's one of those magic bags that Mary Poppins had.  I can stuff so much stuff in there that there's no need for a book bag, a diaper bag, or a toy bag to go with us anywhere anymore.  I stuff shoes and socks, toys, crowns, clothes, mail, books, you name it, it's probably in my bag at some point during my day.  I'm in bag love, and of course the best part is that you don't have to settle for what's at the store.  You get to incorporate the fabric to coordinate with your own style, and therefore you can be as unique as you are.

If you haven't tried it out yet, pick a pattern up or email me and we'll get you going.  You'll love it!  (and no, I"m unfortunately not being paid to promote Amy Butler's designs here on the blog.  I don't get paid to promote anyone's stuff, including my own.)

Happy Creating!

How To: Make Your Blog Wider

This is a really simple fix for your blog, if you feel, like I have been, that your minima template is just too darn narrow.  Of course you can use these tricks on other blog layouts, but you'll want to make sure you make yourself familiar with what your HTML code is saying to you.

You don't really need to know all the mumbo jumbo in your code, but you do need to know what a few things are, and they're labeled pretty clearly, so it makes it easier.

*Note: before editing your HTML, there's a spot at the top where you can back up your entire template.  DO THIS!  That way, in case you mess up, you don't lose any other edits you've done previously.*

First step:
Let's start with widening your header.  First thing you do is go to your Layout Tab, then at the top, there will be a button that says "edit HTML".  Click there and it will go to your HTML codes.  Backup you HTML Code.

Next, scroll down in your code and find a section that looks like this:

#header-wrapper {
width:660px;
margin:0 auto 10px;
border:1px solid $bordercolor;
}

Change the numbers I've highlighted in red to be 900 and 0 respectively.  Preview your blog in between each edit, and you'll see what each section does and where it is, and you'll become more familiar with your HTML code and it's functions. 

Then scroll down and find this code, which should be two sections down from the one you just edited:


#header {

margin: 5px;
border: 1px solid $bordercolor;
text-align: center;
color:$pagetitlecolor;
}


Change that 1 to be a 0 also.
 
Okay got the header worked out.  Now we need to work on the body of the blog.  Find this section in your HTML code:
 
#outer-wrapper {

width: 660px;
margin:0 auto;
padding:10px;
text-align:$startSide;
font: $bodyfont;
}

Change the red number to be 900.  Then scroll down until you get to this section:
 
#main-wrapper {

width: 410px;
float: $startSide;
word-wrap: break-word; /* fix for long text breaking sidebar float in IE */
overflow: hidden; /* fix for long non-text content breaking IE sidebar float */
}

Change the red numbers to be 615.  Then go to this section, which is directly below the previous one:
 
#sidebar-wrapper {

width: 220px;
float: $endSide;
word-wrap: break-word; /* fix for long text breaking sidebar float in IE */
overflow: hidden; /* fix for long non-text content breaking IE sidebar float */
}

Now change this number to be 260.
 
You're done changing your blog width.  Now preview to make sure everything looks the way you want it to.  If it doesn't adjust the numbers so they fit your needs.  Remember, as long as you've backed up your template, if you screw it all up, you have a restore point to go back to, so play with it and make it fit you, then when you've got it the way you want it, go ahead and save your template.
 
I wanted to add one little extra edit that you may or may not want, but I'll add it here, just in case you do.  You know those little borders around your photos in your posts?  They drive me crazy and I don't like them on my blog.  All you have to do to remove them, if you don't want them, is to find this section in your HTML code:
 
.post img, table.tr-caption-container {

padding:4px;
border:1px solid $bordercolor;
}

Change that number to be 0 and those borders will disappear.  By familiarizing yourself with your HTML code, you can find all sorts of things to customize, and then, you're free to be as unique as you are.
 
If you want to see a finished blog before you start editing, please visit kristinslearningmoments.blogspot.com.
 
Happy Editing!
 

Make It Monday

I went to my favorite grocery store on Saturday night.  I didn't have a list, or really anything I knew for sure I needed to get.  All I knew was that I needed stuff to make dinners.  So, while at Trader Joe's, I came up with this idea, and it worked out well.  So here's the menu from our Sunday dinner.  I didn't have any complaints and you probably won't either.

4 Cheese Ravioli with Italian Sausage and Alfredo Sauce

Ingredients:

• 2 packages Fresh 4 Cheese Ravioli (I prefer the TJ's stuff, but if you like a different brand better, go with that)
• 5 links Chicken Sweet Italian Sausage
• 2 Cups Half and Half
• 2 Tbsp. Butter or Margarine
• 2 Tbsp. Flour
• 1 Cup Shaved Parmesan, Romano, Asiago Blend Cheese
• Fresh Cracked Pepper
• Green Salad
• Sourdough Boule

Start by boiling sausage in a medium saucepan for 10-12 minutes.  Drain.  Set aside on a cutting board to rest 1-2 minutes.  Then cut into bite sized pieces, and set aside on cutting board until needed.

Boil Ravioli according to package directions, drain, set aside in serving dish.

Melt butter on low heat in a medium saucepan.  Whisk in flour. 

Increase heat to medium, then  add half & half all at once, stirring continuously. Add pepper to taste. 

Whisk sauce until it is slightly runnier than gravy.  Then add cheese.  Whisk until melted.

Remove from heat.  Stir in Sausage, then pour sauce mixture over Ravioli.

Serve with green salad, and fresh bread (I bought sourdough and warmed it in the oven while I was cooking).

We also had Trader Joe's Peach Halves in White Grape Juice.  Oh, amazing!  You've gotta try 'em!

Preparation Time: about 30 minutes total

Servings: 8 + large servings.  (If you need to you can cut this recipe in half.  I just cook for a big family so I have to make a lot of food.)

Happy Creating!

Make It Monday

I was reading along in Google Reader on Thursday when I came across an awesome tutorial.  I stopped what I was doing and got out my fabric scraps.  I knew exactly for whom I would be making it.  It was quick and easy.  I am thinking it might be the perfect gift for my many sisters this year (I have six).

Are you curious yet?

Here it is:

 

This gathered clutch tutorial by noodlehead is so wonderful!  The above picture link is directly from noodlehead's blog.  Thanks for the awesome pictures.  So click on the picture or any of the links in this post to head over and get started on your own gathered clutch!

So, I made this project on Friday.  I used the scraps from previous projects from Pop Garden by Heather Bailey and Lotus by Amy Butler fabrics.  It was very easy to follow the instructions in the tutorial.  I did do a few things differently.  On the inside pockets, I made it so that the cards could go in sideways allowing for 3 cards to fit across.   I also went back and sewed the lining an 1/8 inch inside the original seam so that it would fit inside the bag a little more nicely.  

Here is my finished clutch:

Giveaway Winner!

I'm gonna cut right to the chase with this.  We have a winner!

If you would like a full rundown on how we choose winners around here, please click this link, that will take you to my personal blog.
And the winner is... (drumroll please)

Ryan and Heather Bartron!!

Congratulations!  Please email me at kristinslearningmoments@gmail.com with your shipping address and I will have your gift card sent out to you ASAP!

Thanks to everyone who reads, follows, and contributes to this blog!  It's your participation that makes this fun for me.

Congratulations again!