Have you survived the middle of the week so far?  We had rain and power outages last night!  I have a DIY post for you today... a Joyfolie original.  I was thinking about the tutu, and how it's a really easy skirt to make.  However, the tutu is fluffy and frilly.  That can be good in its own right, but I had something a little more modern in my mind's eye, so I came but with this:


Mia and I call it the loopy skirt.  It is really easy, fairly quick, and involves minimal sewing.  You will, however, need a sewing machine.  So, getting started, here is what you need:

materials:
2 t-shirts
spool of wide ribbon
matching thread

tools:
sewing machine
fabric scissors

Let's talk materials.  For the t-shirt, pick something medium weight, not too heavy and not too thin.  I would avoid something with a lycra blend, as it will be harder to sew.   You want the shirt to be approximately 18" across the width.  A number of t-shirts fit that size: girls L, boys M, womens M.  This measurement of 18" is very forgiving, as you can just make your shorter tier of loops a little longer or shorter.  You will need 2 shirts to make one skirt.  Once you have your shirts, cut them into 1" strips that are roughly 18" long like this {although a little more even than my illustration...sorry!}:

All together, I used 20 strips to make Mia's skirt.  She is 4 years old, but little for her age, so you will need a little more or less depending on size.

Next, you will need your ribbon.  Wrap it around the waist of whoever you are making the skirt for, and cut enough to wrap around the waist and tie in a bow.  On my daughter, Mia that was 52".  Now, mark the part of the ribbon that wraps around her waist {excluding the bow} and mark with pins or a fabric pen.  For Mia, that was 23".

Next, fold each loop in half, with one side slightly shorter and place it on marked part of the ribbon, overlapping each new loop, like this:


Here are all the loops read to be pinned.  {Note the arm of my helper.}


Next, pin each loop like the picture below.  If you pin this way, you can sew over your pins, which will make it a lot easier!


For the final step, which I do not have pictured, sew your loops onto the skirt along the top and bottom of the ribbon.  I found it was easiest to do this ribbon side up, not removing the pins until after I was done sewing.

The result is a fun little twirl skirt:


Mia really likes hers {although I confess, she made me remake one in pink, too!}  I will add, though, that you will want her to wear leggings, shorts or even another skirt underneath, since the skirt is only tied on and the loops can separate a little depending how she sits or plays in it.


It is pouring down rain here and dark as night, but as soon as the weather clears, I will post photos of the shoes and skirt worn together!  Happy sewing!!