Need help in buying fabric please, for a little girl's skirt idea.

hi,

i found some lovely fabric, that i know bilby would love, fairy theme, online.

I have dreams of making a flowy, calf length, skirt - not too full, as i want the print to be visible (the fairies) - it's a feature print, not a busy print. I would make a casing to elasticate the waist for easy on and off. I don't want to make a fitted skirt, not after ruffles as i don't know how to do gathering.

Unsure how much fabric i would need to begin, but then i start looking at listings and WHOA NELLY
(i put "michael miller fabric night fairy" in the ebay search and come up with 17 possibilities)

the listings are for increments of Fat Quarters of this fabric, i've found one for three quarters of a yard (increments). ebay listings and i googled a few online fabric stores too, cannot find it on an IRL store in my city. (i would love to see it IRL).

i've only bought fabric from Spotlight from the roll, so i can choose half a metre, one metre etc. I think dress fabrics are like 114cm wide, so i'm unsure, e.g if i bought TWO fat quarters, what that would actually get me. going across, or longways?

the fabric i am looking at is Michael Miller Night Fairy (purple).
- Some are with a border.
- SOme photos show a double border. E.g going from bottom to top of fabric, it's BORDER, then FAIRIES, then NIGHT SKY, then BORDER. SO i guess you'd have to cut the whole fabric WIDTH ways, to use the fairies (one directional fabric).
- Some are allover the fabric (no border).
Unsure which one i should aim for (for a beginner like me to use).

Some listings show you many photos, like close up, entire FQ, entire print. Others just show you one closeup, so that makes me feel unsure, which fabric they are actually selling.

I've seen a dress made out of the border type fabric, and it looked wonderful. Each fairy is 5 inches tall, so show up wonderfully on the skirt part of the dress. but i'm guessing the person who sewed it, JOINED some matching fabric to the top of the border fabric.

i just want to understand ENOUGH to make a decision, which one to buy and approx how much of it. I don't mind getting a little extra, as i think the fabric would be great for a feature pocket, on a fairy bag (i also have dreams of making a quilted bag).

any ideas gratefully received.

It is very late and I should be in bed but I thought I might be able to help you start to answer your question.

When I worked in a fabric store I was taught "twice the length, plus the sleeves" when determining how much fabric you need for an item. That is based on an adult and fabric about 114 wide. For a child you would most likely need less as they are smaller and you may be able to 'smoosh' parts of the pattern tighter on a width of fabric. When I buy for my girls clothes without knowing the exact design I want I still pretty much go with the above rule, knowing I have room to move.

As far as the skirt you want there are two ways to get flow. One is to take a rectangle at the length you want, but one that is much wider, then gather it using pleats or a thread gather. The other is to cut on the bias (45 degree angle of the fabric) which gives it a fullness and drape that is gorgeous. Think 1950s style skirts. You use more fabric with the second option and the first is absolutely functional when it comes to little girls so I recommend going with the rectangle!

You can find heaps of free tutorials and patterns online for what you want. I had a quick google and I think that the best pattern for you might be the 'Oliver and S lazy days skirt' (google exactly that to find it). It is a free pattern from the super talented and super cute kids pattern designer Oliver & S so I imagine it would be spot on construction wise. There is also a pattern called the "twirly skirt" by house on hill road that has great photos/walk through instructions. Based on your DDs age I am going to guess she might be about 110 cm?? The house on the hill pattern (which isn't too full but still has some twirl) suggests you need two pieces of 1m x 40cm

The only problem is that you need to decide if you want the border fabric or the 'all over fairy' design, as each fabric will require different fabric dimensions because of they way they have been printed. I had just typed up a whole explanation but it was probably way too confusing as it depends on which fabric you want to use! Basically the border print means you have to cut the skirt the 'other' way.

In the ebay search you pointed out, the images with the double border are simply the full width of the fabric ie 114cm, and the single border would be the width cut in half. You would need to make absolutely sure what dimensions you were bidding on to make sure you had the correct amount of fabric.

The two fabrics should both be simple enough to use - the challenge here is in deciding which one and then calculating lengths, and they both could look equally gorgeous!

Let me know if I can be of more assistance (maybe helping you work out how much fabric when you know which fabric you prefer or what style of skirt?), I love making clothes for my girls. Love making that item that is perfect for both them and me!

I just made DD2 a long skirt and didn't use a pattern. Just two rectangles and then encased a wide piece of elastic. I used about a meter of fabric as it is long on her (to the floor) and very flowy. I would get a yard at least and then you have spare for playing with.

You could get some calico from spotlight to test your shape/pattern first so you know that when you cut your fabric you're doing it right. I do that before I cut into expensive fabrics. That's how I create my own patterns :)

I thought a fat quarter was just a big square, not actually a full width of the roll?

Yes a at quarter is not a full width of the roll. Some places will give you two pieces together, uncut if you order two fat quarters, but others have it all cut.

I would order two fat quarters and go from there. You might only get the border on one piece or both. It will make it interesting and fun! I would also download one of the free patterns jack rose suggested.

Photos when you're done please!

I LOVE this fabric! I've got some on order from the USA at the moment and cant wait to get my hands on it! (oh hurry up mr postman!)
Easiest skirt pattern is:
1.5 x waist
Then length that you want plus about 3 inches (for the casing for the elastic and the hem - depending on what size you want them)
2 fat quarters should do it (did you say you wanted knee length?)
I didn't realize that there were any free Oliver + s patterns - I love them ... Off to look now

I just had to google that and Oh my it's gorgeous! You'll have to post a pic of it once you're done.

I don't have any advice since I haven't sewn since high school. But I googled that fabric & wow! Gorgeous. I too would love to see a pic of the end result.

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It is very late and I should be in bed but I thought I might be able to help you start to answer your question.

Thank you so much Jackrose

When I worked in a fabric store I was taught "twice the length, plus the sleeves" when determining how much fabric you need for an item. That is based on an adult and fabric about 114 wide. For a child you would most likely need less as they are smaller and you may be able to 'smoosh' parts of the pattern tighter on a width of fabric. When I buy for my girls clothes without knowing the exact design I want I still pretty much go with the above rule, knowing I have room to move.

Her current skirts are about 42cm from waist to hem, so i'm going to guess, this skirt, roughly aiming for 50cm long. So using your theory, i need a metre of fabric. I have just ordered 6 x fat quarters (one and a half yards). i chose the ALLOVER fabric design in the end, i didn't feel confident enough either to order the right amount, or sew with, the border print (which is very narrow when i am planning a longer skirt). i will need to google to find out how much a yard and a half, is in metric. (Then i will breathe easier, or not, ha ha).

As far as the skirt you want there are two ways to get flow. One is to take a rectangle at the length you want, but one that is much wider, then gather it using pleats or a thread gather. The other is to cut on the bias (45 degree angle of the fabric) which gives it a fullness and drape that is gorgeous. Think 1950s style skirts. You use more fabric with the second option and the first is absolutely functional when it comes to little girls so I recommend going with the rectangle!

on the bias, yes i understand that look, love it. Not what i'm after for this skirt, as the fairies will get "lost" in a full twirly skirt. I will do the rectangle one for the fairy fabric, as soon as i work out "how long" a rectangle to make. hopefully from that pattern link you have posted.

You can find heaps of free tutorials and patterns online for what you want. I had a quick google and I think that the best pattern for you might be the 'Oliver and S lazy days skirt' (google exactly that to find it).

oh wow, you read my mind, that was next on my list! thank you so much!

It is a free pattern from the super talented and super cute kids pattern designer Oliver & S so I imagine it would be spot on construction wise. There is also a pattern called the "twirly skirt" by house on hill road that has great photos/walk through instructions.

Great, twirly skirt sounds good too, but for another project (with a less specific print).

Based on your DDs age I am going to guess she might be about 110 cm?? The house on the hill pattern (which isn't too full but still has some twirl) suggests you need two pieces of 1m x 40cm

SHe's a shortie, only 102cm last time i measured. She is fitting in size 3 trackpants, that say "for height 100cm" on the label.

The only problem is that you need to decide if you want the border fabric or the 'all over fairy' design, as each fabric will require different fabric dimensions because of they way they have been printed. I had just typed up a whole explanation but it was probably way too confusing as it depends on which fabric you want to use! Basically the border print means you have to cut the skirt the 'other' way.

i chickened out, and ended up buying the ALLOVER print, as i thought that would be easier for a beginner like me. i'm ok with directional prints (i have made pinnies with them a few years ago) but not directional prints WITH A BORDER. that's a whole new ballgame (adding joins etc).


In the ebay search you pointed out, the images with the double border are simply the full width of the fabric ie 114cm, and the single border would be the width cut in half. You would need to make absolutely sure what dimensions you were bidding on to make sure you had the correct amount of fabric.

too risky for me, i really wasn't understanding if sufficiently, to know what i was buying.

The two fabrics should both be simple enough to use - the challenge here is in deciding which one and then calculating lengths, and they both could look equally gorgeous!

Let me know if I can be of more assistance (maybe helping you work out how much fabric when you know which fabric you prefer or what style of skirt?), I love making clothes for my girls. Love making that item that is perfect for both them and me!

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thank you so much Jackrose, will keep updating. off to google for that Oliver and S pattern, thanks again!

Jackrose, the initial instructions say 45 inch of fabric is needed, selvage to selvage (top to bottom of design). I don't think i can do that, because of the one direction thang, so the fairies are the right way up. i think i will have to have that rectangle going ACROSS the fabric, not top to bottom of the fabric (to have fairies facing right way).

if i have ordered 1.5 yards, that is 54 inches apparently.
quilter's cotton is less wide that dress fabric isn't it? and i'm assuming what i've bought is quilter's cotton.

if you think i should order an extra 2 FQ's, jump in and say, and i will contact the seller immed to get two more.

double her length. i'm guessing the length of skirt might need to be 50cm (tops) when finished.

gee sewing is complicated. i think you need to understand spatial concepts and maths and conversions really well. pity bout that.

must keep remembering, even if it all goes pearshaped, i could always make nice cushion covers out of it, it will be ok, it will be ok, it WILL be ok.


PS just worked out,

1.5 yd = 1.3716 m

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I thought a fat quarter was just a big square, not actually a full width of the roll?

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according to these listings i am reading, a fat quarter, is a quarter of a yard. Yes, a square, not the full width of the roll.

You need the full width of the roll for dressmaking, which is why i would not buy ONE fat quarter, to make a skirt.
i think the FQ listings are really aimed more at people wanting to QUILT with the fabric, not make clothing. (or attempt to make, in my case!).

great idea to use cheap fabric first Cat, will do that, a "practice run" for me, so i won't be SO nervous, cutting into "the good stuff".

i feel comfortable making bibs and pinnies, this skirt is out of my comfort zone.

So, is two rectangles joined, so two vertical seams, one going down each side of her, sit better than just ONE piece of fabric Cat? Or do you do that (two rectangles) to use fabric economically? (i'm learning).

I found two rectangles the best way to get the fabric to sit right for me. I am a bit more blasé about it now as I've made heaps of skirts for the girls and I find them so easy to make now. It is really easy to adjust the waist width using rectangles which is why I use it.

I just finished a skirt for DD2 and the length I cut was 50cm and the waist was really wide. I'll get a photo tomorrow of her in it (she loves it and wants to wear it aaallll the time) and post it on fb for you. I'll chech how wide I cut it too.

Can't wait to see the photos :)

thanks so much Cat, will look forward to seeing your photos, i measured bilby today, and she is 105cm tall now (3cms magically added).

Lol, the do grow so quickly don't they? Also I think I made my skirt a bit more trapezoid shaped - a bit narrower at the top. It means the hem might be a bit wonky when it's finished but that can be fixed by having bilby stand in the skirt and then you mark where the hem needs to be. Or even hung on a coat hanger. Again I can take pics if you need me too :)

Gigi I have so dresses here that we're really cheap and sound like what you want to do with the skirt ( just shorter). Want me to post I've over fur you to pull apart and use as a pattern/guide?

1.5 yards is heaps! You should have a skirt for this year and enough for one for when she grows too :)

thanks Lee, that sounds great, i'm ok with the quick unpick, that's do-able.

thanks Muppity, you have put my mind at rest, with your opinion about the amount of fabric i chose, what a relief (to me). thanks!