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6.17.2013

The Lazy Days Skirt in Chambray

While my niece was staying with us, Dan, Iris and I were able to get away for some shopping at an outlet mall not too far from us.  I don't enjoy shopping much at all, so I try to cover as much ground as I can on these trips!  When I was making my way through the J Crew Factory store, I came upon this adorable little chambray skort in a size 2T - just right for Iris.  Then I looked at the price tag - $46!  They were running a 30-40% off sale, so it would have cost around $30, but that's still more than I'd like to spend on a simple skirt for my toddler.  I knew I could make something similar for much less.

I ordered some Kaufman Carolina Chambray for only $6.50 a yard on fabric.com.  (Whenever I order from Fabric.com I also google discount codes and almost always find one for at least 10% off. )  I knew I could make two Lazy Days skirts from one yard of chambray.  That meant each skirt would cost just over $3 to make!  Pretty slick.

I started with Evie's skirt first.

lazy days skirt


About 9 months ago, the elastic brand at our local big box craft store changed.  When I made these pajama pants last fall, the elastic twisted.  I also had to open them up and tighten the elastic because my normal formula (waist measurement minus 1 inch) was way too loose. This time, I tried the skirt on the girls first (and had to tighten the elastic by about 4 inches!).  I edgestitched near the top of the casing before inserting the elastic to prevent the elastic from rolling.  That's a tip I picked up from Oliver + S somewhere, but I can't remember where.

lazy days in chambray

Rather than finishing the skirt with a ribbon hem, I made a wide hem and triple stitched it in red thread.

contrasting hem

I wanted to make the skirt a little more unique, but I didn't want it to be so dramatic that it would limit which shirts I could pair with it.  As I was sewing the hem, I wondered if I may have been subconsciously influenced by this skirt?  That's definitely possible.

Here's my girl Evie playing Dominoes in her new skirt.

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lazy days skirt
lazy days skirt
lazy days skirt

7 comments:

  1. I love simple chambray everything! So cute. $3? You show 'em!

    I love that waistband trick too - I know that *I* learned it from the Sketchbook Shorts pattern. Have you made that one?

    I am really picky about elastic. For waistbands, I prefer a pretty hard, firm elastic that doesn't stretch too much. But for wrists, the softer and lighter the better.

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  2. I love when sewing actually does save you money! :) This is so cute and sweet on Evie- and the triple stitch is perfection.

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    1. Yeah, in general I do not sew for thrift - though I do believe most of the clothes I make end up being a good value, even if they aren't as inexpensive as discount store brands. Often those brands don't last us a single season. I do believe you get what you pay for (in general)! Hopefully, in this case, that won't be true! ;)

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  3. Love that triple stitch detail! It's those handmade, personal details that make sewing so much fun:) You are rocking the Lazy Days skirt - love it in the chambray too! And it's even more of a win when you can create such a cute garment so inexpensively!

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    1. Thanks so much, Lucinda. You say the nicest things! :)

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  4. I keep thinking of how I could make one of these that was a skort without too much trouble - still thinking it through!

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