Star's Threads: Little Dresses Skirt

This skirt all started when I took a card making class. When I saw the new "Dress Up" Framelit from Stampin' Up being demonstrated, this idea immediately popped into my head. Below are instructions on how I made the skirt.

The "Dress Up" framelit set has three different shapes. A dress with sleeves, a sleeveless dress and a dress form. I haven't used the dress form shape yet, but give me time - I'll think of something!

Items you will need for the skirt:
- Base fabric (I used a white linen)
- Zipper (if needed)
- Elastic for waist (your choice - I used a 1/4 inch elastic in my waistband)
- Heat 'n Bond Lite
- Lots of fabric scraps - approximately 3" by 4" in size
- Totally Stable stabilizer
- Thread to match skirt
- Different threads to match scraps
- Rick Rack (optional for hem finish)
- Framelits - Dress Up (#130101) by Stampin' Up!
- Big Shot die cutting machine by Sizzix
- Embellishment items - beads, buttons, trim, etc. It's up to you!

Let's get sewing!
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First, I started with a skirt I already had in my closet to use as a pattern. Lay the skirt folded along the center back seam on the fold of the material. I chose to use some white linen I already had in my stash. I probably should have ironed it before I started, but I was just too excited to get going! Cut around your skirt template being sure to add in a seam allowance on the side, top and hem.

Here is the front piece cut out.

Use the front piece to make your back piece from, just remember to add a seam allowance along the center back seam. If your fabric has stretch to it, you might not need to include the back seam and can construct with out a zipper. My fabric, however, did not have any stretch to it, so I needed to add in an invisible zipper in the back.

Here are the two skirt pieces cut out. Sorry, white on white is a little hard to see. Construct your skirt as your normally would and then it's time for the fun stuff!

Front and back pieces on top of each other

Next, gather all of the scraps you plan to use for the little dresses. My scraps varied in fabric content from cottons to satins, to sheers.

My heap of potential dresses

Cut the fabric a little larger than the framelit. Approximately 3" x 4" fit well with the framelit size. Then, iron on some adhesive to the back of each scrap. I used double sided Heat 'n Bond lite for mine.

Scraps cut to size and ready for Heat 'n Bond iron on adhesive

Next, you are ready for the die cutting machine. Be sure to follow the instructions for the Sizzix machine. Using the Multipurpose Platform, place a clear cutting mat down first, then lay the fused fabric face up on the cutting mat and place the framelit on top of the fabric. Then, add another clear cutting mat to the top to complete your "fabric sandwich". If your scrap has a particular design to it, be sure to center it how you want before putting it thru the machine. Also, you may need to use a piece or two of cardstock underneath the fabric to get a clean cut - just practice to see what works for you.

Fabric sandwich before running thru machine.

Next, run it thru the machine.

Ta Dah! How cute is that!

My first dress! How cute!

Continue cutting out the rest of your dresses. Be sure to use both the sleeveless framelit and the sleeved framelit. Warning, when you finish you might need to take a break to admire them because it's hard to decide which one your like best!

Next, cut out 5 inch strips of Totally Stable stabilizer and iron to the wrong side of the skirt bottom. Be sure to completely cover the bottom 5 inches of the skirt.

Totally Stable stabilizer by Sulky

Here is the stabilizer ironed to the wrong side of the skirt hem. Sorry, white on white is hard to see.

Next, start on your skirt front. Lay it completely flat on the ironing board, right sides out.

Skirt front ready for dresses!

Then, start playing with your dresses! Determine the spacing you would like between dresses and the distance up from the hem. Remember, the hem will be turned up about 3/8 inch and Rick Rack sewn to the bottom as well. Once you have determined your spacing and placement, carefully peel off the backing for each dress and fuse into position. Repeat the same process for the skirt back.

Skirt front dresses ready to be fused into place.

Next, head to the sewing machine to satin stitch each dress in place. I would recommend doing a few test runs with scrap dresses first to determine the stitch length/width that looks best to you.

Satin stitching around dresses

To apply Rick Rack to the skirt hem. First, serge the bottom edge of the skirt. Next, if your Rick Rack has a right side and a wrong side (mine did), place the Rick Rack right down on the skirt front about 1/8th of inch away from the hem edge. Sew thru the middle of the Rick Rack all the way around.

Sewing Rick Rack in place.

Next, turn the hem and the Rick Rack to the wrong side and top stich about 1/4 inch away from the edge. This will catch the top bumps of the Rick Rack and hold them in place on the wrong side of the skirt. Topstitching will also stop the Rick Rack from flipping to the right side and help the hem to lay flat.