Ribbon Trimmed Girl’s Christmas Skirt
I love all sorts of Christmas traditions, especially those involving children, and sewing, of course! So each year I dream of making special Christmas dresses for my girls to wear to celebrations and our worship services. The dream doesn’t always come true given all the other demands of these season, but this cute skirt can be accomplished in an afternoon!
Materials to make a Ribbon Trimmed Girl’s Christmas Skirt
- Your girl’s Waist Measurement and the Desired Length of the skirt measured from the waist down.
- I’m making a skirt to fit my daughter’s 22″ waist with a 15″ drop from the waist.
- White cotton fabric measuring 2 times the Waist Measurement and the (Desired Length + 1.5″) x two. We’ll be creating a double-layer skirt so it is less shear and more stable for the ribbon embellishment.
- For my skirt I’m using fabric 44″ long and (15″+1.5″) 2= 33″ wide.
- Four different kinds of ribbon in red and green.
- I used all grosgrain with a mixture of patterns and widths.
- 1″ wide elastic the length of your girl’s Waist Measurement.
- I cut mine 22″.
- White thread and thread matching your ribbon color.
How to sew the Ribbon Trimmed Skirt
- Fold your fabric in half lengthwise and press a crease so your fabric is doubled. This crease will be your hem.
2. With your fabric doubled as you have pressed it, fold your fabric again so the short raw edges meet. Pin along this short edge and stitch with a .5″ seam allowance to create the back seam. Edge finish the seam allowance with a zigzag. Press.
3. Now we’ll create the elastic waist casing along the raw edge. Do this by working with the double layer of fabric and fold down wrong sides together 1/4″ and stitch with a zigzag close to the raw edge. Press.
Fold this hemmed edge again 1 1/4″ to the wrong side and stitch close to the hemmed edge to form the casing. Leave 2″ open for threading the elastic. Press.
4. Lay out your ribbons on the right side of the skirt to figure out the placement. I started about .5″ up from the bottom edge (the crease you created earlier) of the skirt and then spaced the ribbons about 1/4″ apart.
5. Starting at the center back seam, lay the ribbon you’ve chosen to be closest to the bottom edge flat on the right side of the skirt and pin it evenly .5″ above the creased edge. Overlap the center back seam by .5″. Be careful to catch both layers of fabric but not the other side of the skirt.
When you have pinned the ribbon all the way around and come to the center back seam again, cut the ribbon .5″ longer than you need to reach the seam, fold the ribbon under itself and pin overlapping the start of the ribbon.
Now switch your thread to that coordinating with your ribbon. Topstitch very close to the bottom edge of the ribbon, removing the pins as you go. When you have finished, topstitch again very close to the top edge of the ribbon.
6. You can now use this first ribbon as a guide to place your next ribbon. I placed mine 1/4″ above the first ribbon.
Stitch the second ribbon in place as you did the first…
…and continue until you have sewn on all the ribbons.
7. Your final step is to thread the elastic through the casing, stitch the ends of the elastic together and then stitch the opening in the casing closed.
I hope your girl will enjoy this fun and festive skirt!
Our December 12 Gift for You
One lucky winner will receive a BERNINA quilted pouch with zipper to store USB sticks or other electronic devices.
All you have to do is post a comment below answering the following question:
Do you sew holiday garments?
A winner will be chosen at random on December 13, 2016 and announced the following week!
Good luck!
The contest is open for comments until December 12 at 12:00 midnight Central Time. Click here for contest rules.
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84 comments on “Ribbon Trimmed Girl’s Christmas Skirt”
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We saw a lot of clothes but no holiday garments
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Yes, I sew for granddaughter and grandson. I have clothes to make for 18″ dolls.
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I’d not sewn holiday garments in many years, but the birth of my first grandchild almost four years ago was the impetus for buying my 880. And now I’m back in the spirit of Christmas finery!
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YUP!!! However, since my kids are grown, my holiday garments are usually in the form of cloths for 18 inch dolls.
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I used to sew matching Christmas dresses for our three girls, every year. They are now grown. I have one granddaughter that I have sewn for, but now she is 8 and for the past few years she wants nothing but store bought clothes. And SHE has to pick them out. Her mom (my daughter) says she won’t even shop for her unless Casey is along because anything Mom picks just isn’t “right”!
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Couldn’t you let your grandaughter choose her pattern and choose her fabric?…Win/win!
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I haven’t made anything for myself in a long time but I do have to grand daughters who absolutely love their Christmas and Easter dresses.
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The only items I’ve sewn at Christmas is aprons or kitchen items. I need to make a dress but I’ve been so busy quilting!
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I sew special clothes for the holidays for my daughter and myself. We enjoy wearing clothes made in honor of the holidays.
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I only have my 18″ little girls to sew for. The shirt idea in mini form would be cute.
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No. I have such a large selection of Christmas ornaments that I concentrate my Christmas sewing to placemats, potholders, and other small items.
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I used to sew Christmas outfits when my kids were little but then my sewing machine broke and I haven’t sewn in 20 years. I just got a new machine and will probably sew for my grandchildren.
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I used to see holiday dresses for my girls when they were little (many moons ago) now just pillows, quilts, stockings and the like.
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I sew Holiday aprons for friends and family, everyone loves them and because they will wear out I can keep making them !
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I usually sew gifts for the holidays, but not always holiday-themed (usually practical instead).
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I don’t usually make garments. I will make an apron for a special friend once in awhile, or I will buy a already made apron and embroider something special on it a gift.
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I don’t make Christmas garments.
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I’ve made or embellished a few holiday garments for myself.
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I have a two year old grand daughter so I say yes.
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I haven’t made any holiday garments–usually just decorations
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What a sweet idea! I made a vest last year but nothing is on the books for this year but after seeing this that could change ; ) Thanks for the chance to play!
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I did sew outfits for my children when they were little, but now prefer to sew/quilt Christmas decorative items (table runners, banners, etc.)
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Yes I do. This year I made aprons for my 2 foster children’s teachers and counselors. The children never knew about giving so it is a teaching lesson and it makes my heart feel good to teach them about giving and to give a homemade gift that they are so proud of that Nana made.
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No, I have not sewn garments in a while…and my family appreciates it!!
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what a cute idea for a girl,
keeping it in my to make folder.
thank you -
I sew doll clothes for my granddaughters but mostly use my emobrodery module to personalize ready wear garments or other items. This year I embroidered the names of each child (15 of them) on a beach towel. I also use my machine to make holiday gifts using wool.
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I used to, but when my children grew up, I started finding other projects.
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Not garments but things for the home.
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Nope and no ugly holiday sweaters either.
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I sewed an advent calendar this year for my four year old grandson. He is loving it!
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Not any more. Used to make matching nightgowns for my daughter, her doll, and myself – she is 45 now!
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Years ago I made my daughter and I matching Christmas skirts.
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lol…next year I plan on starting again!
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I’ve never made Christmas garments, but I did make a set of napkins for a gift this year
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I do not sew holiday garments. I will sew table runners or embroider other household accessories or embellish towels but no garments.
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I have sewn Christmas pajamas.
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When my grandchildren were small I used to sew them matching Christmas pajamas for Christmas Eve.
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I am new to sewing, just been at it for about a year. I am in the middle of “trying” to make some boot cuffs, does that count?!
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No. I don’t sew clothes at all
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Yes, especially decorating sweatshirts or vests for the holidays with machine embroidery or quilt designs.
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Thank you for the instructions. They seem like they would not only make a sweet little girl’s skirt, but a fun party skirt for a big girl, too! I sew mainly for myself now, but I often sewed Christmas and other clothes for my little girl many years ago.
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I don’t usually make garments. I like to make aprons, towels and table runners.
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Not this year, working on free standing lace ornaments instead.
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I used to sew Christmas dresses and make all kinds of ornaments and tree skirts out of felt (remember using white glue and bitty pins and sequins to decorate!!
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I make new aprons for my daughters-in-law each year.
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I used to sew a lot of costumes for Christmas plays, which was fun, and once made 7 very difficult women’s dresses for a Christmas choir performance (wine-red slippery fabric; long sleeves with tiny pearl buttons at the wrists; set-in square bodice; obviously a pattern selected by someone who did NOT sew), but lately, I’ve just made quilts and more quilts. Although, I’ve been thinking of sewing up some Christmas pajamas… Thanks for the drawing!
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I haven’t made any Christmas garments, but then again, I don’t have any grandchildren yet!
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I haven’t made any Christmas garments this year
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Yes, I used to sew matching dresses for my daughters. Now that they are grown, I sew more quilts and do more mavhine embroidery.
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No but I’d like to make a Christmas themed quilt someday.
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I have sewed Christmas garments in the past, but not recently.
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I have made some Holiday garments, a dress for 8 year old, purse for me and sweat shirt with trims.
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I sew pillowcases for the children on the angel tree at church.
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The closest I come is making holiday aprons.
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No, there’s no little ones in the family to sew for, unfortunately.
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I made a child’s dress with red taffeta for the top and black velveteen for the skirt.
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The only garments I make at this busy time of the year is Christmas flannel PJ’s for my grandchildren. Love the little Bernina storage case for our USB sticks etc. Thanks for the chance to win this prize.
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No, I used to, but mostly sew quilts now.
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No, I have not sewed Christmas decorations, etc.
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I don’t make holiday clothes often but when I do it is usually last minute because I can’t find in the store the exact thing I am looking for.
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I try to make something little that will fit into a Christmas card (santa or ornament, sometimes customized for the recipient)
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I’m making my granddaughter ‘a dress now…. usually ornaments, napkins or wall hangings!
Thank you. -
I have not sewn any Christmas garments. Love sewing everything else, though!
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I don’t make garments, but I like to make quilts for my grandchildren. This is a cute skirt!
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not since my kids were little
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Yes, I stitched two skirts for my granddaughters!
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I used to for my daughters when they were younger but have moved my focus on home decor for Christmas sewing.
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I’ve made fleece pj pants for my kids, so cozy for the winter.
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I have done Christmas PJ, nightgowns, and dresses for our granddaughters.
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I do not make Christmas outfits anymore. But I did about 40 years ago and I wish I had my Bernina then.
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I make clothing for my granddaughter throughout the year; haven’t sewn any Christmas themed garments for her though.
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I will make a holiday garment for a granddaughter.
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A better question for me – what holiday garments have you always planned making, but never got it done due to Christmas present projects being a higher priority? ?
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I do not sew Holiday garments, but do sew a lot of Holiday tablerunners, table toppers, etc. as gifts.
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This year and last year I am creating doll clothes for American Girl doll, Isabel and American Girl twins by recycling my grand children’s play clothes. I also made them ruffled skirts using jeans from Goodwill that provided the waistband, pocket and hip portion of the skirt?
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Love this Anneliese! It is so you. I often sew christmas dresses but not this year.
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I sew Christmas dresses for my 3 granddaughters and occasionally a few other young ladies. I have been known to take them with me on my pre holiday vacation to finish them in time for Christmas. I found a local sewing store that will rent you a machine to finish sewing them.
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Sometimes. I don’t have children so I don’t make myself something to wear every year but occasionally I do,
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Made vests when my daughter was small.
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Darling little short. Have some little nieces that would look darling in it.
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I sew everything. Doll clothes, clothing for little girls and big girls, and quilting is a favorite too. I am working dresses for the grand daughters for Christmas I better hurray and quite looking online for more ideas.
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This design is not limited to Christmas wearing. And use any color scheme you like.
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This technique would make a lovely apron for a girl or adult instead of making a skirt.
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I used to sew the kids Christmas outfits but now I focus on quilts. rozz01 at cox dot net