the owl skirt

If you only knew the train wreck that was my project last week, you’d understand just how happy I am with this little skirt. It’s insanely simple to make; only the applique requires the teensiest bit of patience.

Supplies:

1/2 to 1 yard 44 or 45″-wide muslin (90″ -wide muslin for size 6 and above)

45″ long ribbon (90″ long ribbon for size 6 and above)

2 buttons

various small fabric scraps to form owl

thread

1/2 inch elastic, to fit child’s waist X 2

Wonder Under fusible web interfacing

So here’s how it went together, step by step:

1. You will use the entire 44″ width of the muslin, selvedge to selvedge. Cut your muslin to the desired length. For my 2T/3T daughter, I cut it at 18 inches. (*If you are sewing for an older girl, age 6 and above, I would suggest using the wider, 90″-width muslin to maintain a full skirt. Or you can stitch two lengths of fabric together.*)

1. Download and print the owl image.

Trace this image onto double-sided, iron-on interfacing (Wonder Under). Cut the image until each part is separated (you’ll want to trace the eyes on separately from the face), then pin these pattern pieces onto the desired fabric. This is a great time to dig deep into your scrap bin! With the adhesive side facing the wrong side of the fabric, iron interfacing to fabric pieces. You’ll end up with a series of pieces like this:

2. Now it’s time to start piecing that owl together. Begin with the outer rim of the eyes:

Next, iron on the inner circle of the eyes:

3. Before continuing with the owl, you’ll need to find the center of your skirt. Iron the muslin in half, placing the short ends together, to mark what will be the center front of the skirt. (If you are sewing for an older girl and using two lengths of fabric, find the center of just one piece, which will be your front piece.) Now measure about 6″ from the top to place your owl’s head. Iron it into place:

4. The body will be next, then the wings and feet. When all of the pieces have been ironed into place, machine stitch about 1/8th of an inch from the edge around each piece:

5. Sew the buttons into place on the eyes:

6. Place the ribbon about 3 inches from the bottom edge of the skirt and pin. Stitch in place:

7. Now, for the skirt. Fold the muslin in half, right sides together, aligning the short ends. Sew along the short end in a 1/2 inch seam. (If sewing for an older girl, place skirt pieces right sides together and sew along both short ends in a 1/2-inch seam. Press. Hem the bottom of the skirt by pressing up 1/4 inch, then turning up another 1/4 inch and stitching close to the edge:

8. For the elastic casing at the top of the skirt, fold down the raw edge 1/4 inch, then fold again 1 1/2 inches and press.

Stitch 5/8-inch from top edge of skirt, leaving an opening to insert elastic. Stitch again along bottom edge of casing, leaving another opening for the second length of elastic. First insert elastic in the top casing, using a safety pin to guide the elastic through. Stitch ends together. Next insert elastic in lower casing and stitch ends together. Sew casings closed.

Please remember that this tutorial is offered for your personal enjoyment. Please do not sell any products made or inspired by this tutorial.