HOW TO MAKE A GIRL'S PRAIRIE/RUFFLE SKIRT OUT OF ONE YARD OF FABRIC

HOW TO MAKE A GIRL'S (3-TIER) PRAIRIE/RUFFLE SKIRT OUT OF ONE YARD OF FABRIC:

SIZE: Will fit approximately 3-6 year old, depending on height of child and how long you want the length. Finished skirt will measure approximately 15 inches from waist to hem. On a 4-yr. old, this will come past the knees.

YOU WILL NEED:
- 1 yard (36") of 45" wide fabric (cotton is a good choice)
- matching thread
- length of narrow (less than 1/2" wide) elastic to fit child's waist (if you use wider elastic, sew waist casing to fit)

CUT (or tear along grain) 6 strips, each 45 inches long at the following widths:
2 - 6 inches wide
3 - 5 1/2 inches wide
1 - 7 to 7 1/2 inches wide (more or less, depending on your piece of fabric - tear the other strips first)

SEW TIERS:
With right sides together and using a 1/2 inch seam width, sew 7 inch wide strip into a loop. This will be the top tier.
Sew 6 inch wide strips together into a loop. This will be the middle tier.
Sew 5 1/2 inch wide strips together into a loop. This will be the bottom tier.

BASTE GATHERING THREADS:
Baste 3/8" and 1/4" from edge along one side of bottom tier, both sides of middle tier and one side of top tier. Leave thread ends long as you will use these to gather.

BOTTOM HEM
Hem the bottom tier with a narrow 1/2 to 3/4" wide hem. Turn 1 inch up and press. Turn unfinished edge under to make narrow hem, press again. Edge stitch. (You can also do this step last, but it's a little easier to press and sew before the gathering is done.)

WAIST CASING:
Form casing for elastic at waist. Turn up 1 1/2" and press. Turn edge under, leaving enough room for elastic. Press again. Edge stitch, leaving a small opening wide enough for inserting the elastic later.

Now comes the GATHERING:
1. Lay tiers out flat: top tier with seam at one side, middle with seams at sides, bottom tier with seam at middle of back (2 seams at front, off-center).
2. Pin bottom tier to middle tier at sides, right sides together. Find middle of each tier and pin again at front and back center. Continue to pin, finding the middle of each section remaining and matching up until you have 16-32 pins in.
3. Match top tier seam with one of the seams from the middle tier and pin, right sides together. Match the other seam to the other side the top tier and pin. Find middle of each tier and pin again at front and back center. Continue to pin, finding the middle of each section remaining and matching up until you have 8-16 pins in.
4. Now, pulling on threads, draw in bottom tier to fit middle tier, and middle tier to fit top tier. Adjust gathers so they look fairly even all the way around. Pin well, about every inch or so.
5. Baste at a scant 1/2", and check work for mistakes (basting may be optional if you pin well and sew carefully). Stitch at 1/2", removing pins as you go. Check to make sure basting doesn't show on right side (if it does, just carefully pull out whatever is showing, or stitch again.)
6. Cut elastic to fit waist, plus a little extra for insurance. Pin a large safety pin on one end of elastic and insert into waist casing. Sew ends of elastic together, (or tie if you left lots of extra and want some 'growing room' for later).

Check over for loose threads, and YOU'RE DONE! :)

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