Gingham is quintessential summer; along with nautical stripes, the beach, and ice cream. I wanted something long and comfortable to wear on my upcoming vacation. Something simple and easy to throw on. I have a lot of this blue gingham fabric, so I decided this DIY blue and white gingham skirt was just the ticket.
Gingham fabric has an interesting past. Many countries lay claim to having originated the recognizable fabric. Italy, France, Germany, India, Japan and Cambodia, just to name a few, all have historical ties to the pattern. It was originally created in the 17th century as stripe pattern. It wasn’t until the 18th century that fabric mills in England started weaving it into checks. Leave it to the Brits to create a fabric that has become steeped in tradition and history. You can read more about the history of gingham here, here and here.
Due to its low cost to produce, people of all economic backgrounds have worn the famous checkered print. Everyone from little girls and men, to 1950’s actresses Bridget Bardotand Katherine Hepburn, to today’s celebrities like Marion Cotillard. And of course the most famous gingham dress of all time, Dorthy’s iconic blue and white checkered dress.
Gingham has also had a major impact on interior design. How many times have you gone into a cafe and been seated at a table with a red gingham tablecloth? It feels like the signature style of every Italian restaurant I have ever eaten in. If you look close enough you can find gingham just about everywhere.
So this skirt is a DIY. No pattern needed. It’s very easy and it doesn’t talk long to make. I bought the fabric at Fabric.com. They have a great selection of gingham fabric. I also bought this and this. I love that you can purchase it in different size prints. Check out the tutorial below and let me know in the comments if you have any questions!
Before we jump into the tutorial can we talk about these earrings for just a second? These are my most favorite earrings in the world. I bought them at Baublebar. Unfortunately, they don’t carry them anymore. I bought them about a year ago. I get so many compliments on these earrings it ridiculous, and I wear them at least 3 times a week. They are the most versatile color in the world. I’m going to try and make a pair because I want them in every color imaginable, but in the mean time I have linked some options to buy below.
Okay back to the tutorial!
Materials
Fabric measuring 38″ x 56″
Elastic – one inch shorter than your waist. I recommend at least 1.5″ wide elastic
Safety pin
Instructions
Fold fabric in half matching up the short sides, and stitch closed. Press seams open.
Fold top edge of skirt over towards the inside of the skirt 1/4″ and press. Then fold the top over 2″ again towards the inside of the skirt and stitch all the way around. Be sure to leave a 2″ opening in the back to feed the elastic through.
Pin the safety pin to the end of the elastic and insert it into the casing you just made. Using the pin as a guild slide the elastic all the way around an pull it out of the 2″ hole you made.
Being sure not to let the elastic slide back into the casing, try the skirt on. Determine how tight you want the elastic to be around your waist. Mark it and sew the two pieces together.
Stitch the opening in the back closed.
Determine how long you want your hem to be. Leave your self about an inch for the hem. If you have a serger, you can serge the bottom and then fold the hem up and stitch. Otherwise, fold the hem up a 1/4″ and then a 1/4″ again and sew around the bottom.
All done! Now click your heels together three times and say “There’s No Place Like Home”!
If you would rather buy than DIY check out the options below.
Thanks for reading. Hope you are off to a great week!
Photos by Chloejane Photo + Film.