I don’t know about you but right I feel a bit like the ‘Energizer bunny’ when his battery is starting to run down. It’s a sure sign that I need a break over Christmas, so with that in mind, today I just have a quick make to show you in the form of an easy DIY sweater-knit midi skirt made from some fabric that was leftover from this cardigan. The marled charcoal fabric seems to have a touch of wool in the blend and it was an absolute steal at about £2.50 from Birmingham Rag Market.
I was inspired to make this design when I was watching some fashion vloggers on Youtube and one of them was wearing this particular one by Nu In. and I think I’ve made a pretty good dupe for it 🙂
Making My Easy DIY Sweater Knit Midi Skirt
So as I said this was an easy make and it really is. I started off with two rectangles measuring the length I wanted plus enough to turn over at the waist for elastic and to turn up at the bottom for the hem. I tapered in towards the hemline and a little bit in towards the waistline for some added shape (bear in mind that the waist has to stretch over my hips so I was careful not to taper in too much at the top).
As I was cutting out, I thought how nice would it be to play with the directions of the ribbing on the fabric, so I cut a 5-inch wide strip with the ribs going horizontally down it. This strip would be folded in half to create a finished width of 2 inches.
Next, I trimmed 2 inches off the left-hand side of the skirt front and then stitched on the side piece using my overlocker. Then I basted a line down the middle of the added side piece and stitched the back of the skirt along the basting line leaving a slit opening towards the hem.
As you can see on the inside I folded back the rest of the extension and stitched it along on the inside where it was attached. I also stitched the other side of the slit edge and finished off with a machine-sewn hem.
For the waist, I simply folded the top down stitched it along and threaded elastic through. I like to use Hemline Sport Elastic because it’s nice and soft. I can’t stand firm elastic around my mid-section.
All, in all, this only took me a couple of hours to make, but I love the end result. After my recent skirt post where I said I wasn’t keen at all on the style that I’d sewn I have to say that this slim silhouette feels so much more ‘me’ I have a Summery jersey skirt which is a similar style that I love to wear a lot so I think this new one will get a lot more love from me.
This is truly a comfy skirt and I suspect with its nice elasticated waist it will come in handy when I’m stuffing Christmas goodies in my face and relaxing on the sofa with family. Talk about secret pj’s!
(I’m adding this skirt to the link-up party for December held by Stefanie of Sea Of Teal. December’s theme is cozy and I think my skirt fits the bill. Here is Stefanie’s cozy blog post)
Well, this will be my last post before Christmas so I want to take this opportunity to say thank you for always stopping by at my little corner of the internet to read and support my blog. It means the world to me.
I know that for most people this will be a very different and possibly a very difficult holiday period but I hope you manage to make it as good as you can and perhaps take gratitude in the small things (its all we can do eh?). Let’s hope for a better 2021.
Take care, stay well and I’ll see you in the New Year xxx
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Merry Christmas to you too Diane! It will indeed be an unprecedented holiday season. Let’s hope for a good upcoming next year!
I will be looking forward for more projects of yours! You share great ideas and so much inspiration, I am happy to have found your blog and will come back for more after holidays! Stay healthy! ❤️
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That’s so kind of you Giedre! I’m so happy you found me 🙂 and vice versa. Looking forward to keeping our online friendship going through 2021. Stay well and take care xx
Love your skirt Diane! I hopped over to Nu In to see what they were about and loved so many of their pieces – loads of more inspiration there too 🙂 My go-to self made tube is the bias one demonstrated by Julianne Bramson on youtube’s Threads Channel (both of which I highly recommend – Julianne’s book and patterns are the best) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-emWRbc9f_M&t=8s this is a great way to make continuous bias tape as well. I’ve used this method to make 1/2 silk slips and simple pencil bias skirts. Have a wonderful holiday season too and thank you for writing and creating great content all year long for all of us inspiration-hungry sewists out here 🙂
Author
Thank you, Kathleen! Ooh and thanks for another great YT link! And I appreciate all your support over the last year. Have a good holiday x
Brilliant skirt! You have such a knack for adding that special touch that elevates a garment (the side piece, turning the ribbing so that it’s horizontal is so clever)! Have a lovely holiday.
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That’s lovely of you to say, thank you, Kathy!
Great skirt, Diane! I love your added detail of the ribbed trim along the side seam. Very flattering!
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Thanks ever so much, Joan!
Well you certainly replicated that skirt beautifully and I think you raised it a level with that knit stripe play! It’s absolutely gorgeous and I think it will be a really useful addition to your wardrobe.
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That’s lovely of you to say, thanks, Sue!
Happy New Year, Diane! I wish you all the best for 2021!
Thank you for joining again in my sewing challenge! Your skirt looks cozy indeed! You absolutely nailed the inspiration skirt by Nu In and I’m very impressed how neat the skirt looks from the inside and out!
I hope you are joining #SewYourWardrobeBasics again in 2021, this time without the monthly themes.
Greetings from Germany,
Stef
Author
Happy New Year to you too! And thank you so much. I’ll definitely try to join in as much as I can xx