Apron Skirt

Posted Today, 04:16 PM

I found a tutorial on Pinterest for this skirt.  I loved it the moment I saw it.  And it's pretty simple to complete.  I had a couple of hiccups, but that was due to my backwards thinking--or maybe lack of backwards thinking. 

First, I found two fabrics that looked okay together.

I had bought the pink polka dot fabric from the remnants bin at Hobby Lobby last week.  I didn't have anything in mind for it; I just liked it.  Plus, it was only about $2.50.  How could I pass that up?  The blue buttons fabric Pockets bought for me quite a while ago.  I had planned on turning it into pajamas, because it's flannel.  

First, measure your waist.  The top of each piece of fabric will be this length.  I added 1 inch to mine, just to ensure it would fit.

For the bottom length, my fabric was only about 50 inches because it was a remnant.  But you can make it as wide as you want.  I believe the original tutorial just doubled the waist measurement.  It's totally up to you!

I cut out my polka dot fabric, then placed it on top of my button fabric and traced, giving me two equal-sized pieces.

After that, I sewed bias tape on the TOP hem of the button fabric.

Then, I sewed the bias tape to the TOP hem of the polka dot fabric, including about 8 inches extra bias tape on each side to use as strings.

Since the pink fabric was a bit see-through, I added in a small white cotton panel for modesty.

With both fabrics on top of each other, right side to right side, sew up the angled side seams.

Note: Do not sew all the way up to the bias tape because the skirt will be flipped inside out, and you need the strings on the outside.  So, stop at the top bias tape; it will be finished later.

Some of the readers of the original tutorial pointed out that the skirt will slip open and suggested extra reinforcement.  I decided to sew the top seam, leaving just enough room open for my waist.  I used pins to mark the sides of my waist.

Before sewing, flip the skirt so it's wrong side to wrong side.  I accidentally sewed it right side to right side, and trapped my strings inside.  Also, once it's wrong side to wrong side, you can complete the side hem, tucking the other fabric under the fabric with strings.

But this is what it will look like if you leave the opening.

I also added a small strip of Velcro (and I may have to change it to a snap or a button and button hole) to keep the skirt secure around my waist.  

Then, sew your bias tape to the bottom hem.  And you're all done!  Here it is after I fixed all the mistakes on the top seam.

I love that it's reversible!  It's so adorably cute!

I think I like the buttons on the outside best.  

And just for fun... my doggie thinks fabrics are his bed...

~Buttons

Tablecloth Skirt

I saw a post on Pinterest that shows how to make a "tablecloth skirt."  I love the way the finished product looked, all that hanging fabric, so I decided to give it a try myself!

First off, I made mine WAY too big.  It's ridiculously long on me.  For next time, I'd make my initial square much, much smaller.  Also, the fabric I used was one I just had left over.  This would look better in gauze, or even in plain cotton.

Okay, onwards....

First, I cut a large square out of the fabric.  One of the sides was initially 43 inches (the initial length), so I cut all sides to match.

Next, you fold it in half, hot dog style.

Then fold it again, hamburger.

You're left with a small square, four times smaller than your original.  Now, you need to cut the hole for your waist.  I used a circle skirt pattern I already had.  If you don't have that, take the measurement of your waist, add 2 inches, then divide by 6.28.  That will be the length from the corner your hole needs to be.  You can make a string that length and run it in a loop from the point in the center; or you can just measure a few times from the point and mark each time, connecting the dots at the end.  You can find a great tutorial on how to do that here.

When you unfold it, it looks like this (like I said, it's way too long!):

Next, cut out four panels of the same length as your square's sides.  The width of the panels is up to you.  I should have made mine shorter, but I just cut what was left of my fabric into four equal parts.

You'll want to sew each panel to one side of your skirt, right side to right side.  Like this:

Once all the panels are attached, you need to sew the seam between the panels, turning the bottom of the cube.

For the hem, I used 1/2 inch black biased tape.  Just sew slowly, and the corners present no problem.

Here is it is with all the biased tape done!

Since my material is not opaque, I wanted to add an underskirt.  I had a remnant of black silk that I used.  I sewed up the side at a diagonal, after measuring the top to my waist.

Cut an elastic strand the length of your waist.  

Since my skirt had so much fabric, I thought it would help to gather the inside seam before sewing the hem down.  So I did a long straight stitch all the way around my top, about four inches.

Then, fold the top down (so the top is meeting gathered seam).  Tuck the underskirt inside, and pin.

Not the prettiest seam, but it'll do!

And here's the finished product!

I love the way it looks, but wish it was shorter, and made from a different material.  I will have to try this one again!

~Buttons

Popcorn Cake

For celebrating a birthday at school tomorrow, I wanted to try something different.  I searched through Pinterest and found a Popcorn Cake!  It was super easy, and it tastes pretty good too!  I guess the challenge will be if the kids like it tomorrow, or not.

Ingredients:
10.5 oz. package of marshmallows
16 cup popped popcorn (I used three 82.3g bags, and had about 2 cups left over)
1/4 cup butter (plus 2 tbsp for greasing the pan)
1 large bag Peanut M&M's (I have a kiddo with a peanut allergy, so I used mini Rolos instead)

1 bundt cake pan

First, grease your bundt cake pan.  

For this, I melted 2 tbsp of butter into a small dish.  Using a paper towel, I dipped it into the butter and gently rubbed it on the sides of the pan.  Set the left over butter to the side--we'll use it later.

Next, pop the popcorn.  I didn't have a mixing bowl big enough to mix all 16 cups at once, so I put 8 cups into the bowl.

I melted 1/8 a cup of butter on the stove (over medium heat) and added half of the 10.5 oz bag of marshmallows.

Heat until smooth.

Pour the marshmallow mixture over the popcorn.

Stir it all together.

Pour into the greased bundt pan.  Using the extra melted butter, dip your fingers in to grease them.  Use your fingers to press the popcorn into the pan.

I decided to add the layer of Rolos here, giving us a chocolate/caramel middle.

Now, repeat the steps to mix the other 8 cups of popcorn.  Once done, press into the bundt pan.

Let it sit for 10-15 minutes.  Using a knife, gently (so you don't scratch your pan) scrape the sides.  Invert the pan, and you've got your popcorn cake!

To make it more festive, I added on colorful sprinkles!

Enjoy!

~Buttons