Sunday, July 1, 2012

Handkerchief Hem Bandana Top or Skirt Tutorial


So you have waited until the last minute to make something for your daughter to wear to that July 4th BBQ and you are strapped for cash.  No worries.  I have a quick and easy solution and your little princess will strut her stuff Americana fashion, and it will cost you less than $5 to boot.  The instructions listed are for 12-18 month size and I will show you how to make a top or a skirt from the same pieces.



What you will need:
  • 2 bandanas
  • 7/8 in. grosgrain ribbon
  • 1/2 in. wide elastic
  • thread
  • sewing machine
The first thing you need to do is fold your bandanas in half so that they form a triangle like so, and iron them. 


Next you will unfold the bandana, and cut along the fold line left in your bandana.  This cut does not have to be perfectly straight at this point.  This is a very forgiving garment.  Do this with both of your bandanas.


After you have cut both of your bandanas in half you should have 4 pieces.


Next, you are going to take your first bandana half and measure in from each end 5 inches and cut off the end triangles.  It should look like this when you are done...


You will repeat this with all 4 halves.  Then you will take your two matching color bandana halves and place them right sides facing.  Using a half inch inseam you will sew down those short sides where you just cut and finish the ends with either a zigzag stitch or a serger.  These are the only seams you will have to finish.  Repeat with the other two halves and trim the excess.


Next you are going to put one of your bandanas inside the other centering the seam so that you will have 4 triangles showing.  Tip:  The color that is showing on the outside at this point is the one that will be underneath when complete.  You are now looking at the top or skirt turned inside out basically.  Pin the two pieces together around the straight edge.


Now you are going to sew a basting stitch around the top edge just to hold the two layers together while you finish.  This seam will not show so it doesn't have to be perfect.  Mine is terribly crooked.


Now you are going to iron down that top edge all the way around, where you just stitched, by a half inch, and then fold it over again an inch and iron again.  This will be your elastic casing.

Edge stitch around the casing leaving about a one inch opening to feed the elastic through in a few minutes.



Measure your child around her chest for the top or around the waist for the skirt and subtract 1 in. to get the length of elastic you need.  Making the top my elastic is 16 in. long.  Now you are going to feed the elastic through the elastic casing using a safety pin.


When you have finished putting the elastic through the casing you are going to overlap the ends of the elastic by about a half inch or so and zigzag them together.


Now you will put the elastic up into the casing all the way and close up the opening and turn it right side out.  This is what it looks like now.  If you are making the skirt you are done.  Put it on your child and enjoy.


If you are making the top, you will need to get out your grosgrain ribbon.  I cut mine about 7.5 inches long each.  Then you need to seal the ends of your ribbon with either Fray Check or with heat just enough to melt the edge of each end.  Decide where you want to place the straps and pin them.


Stitch across the top edge of your bandana top to secure the strap in place.  Do this for the front and back of both straps.


Now put it on your little angel and let her show her American pride.


24 comments:

  1. This top is absolutely ADORABLE! I am so going to pin this and keep it in mind for next year!

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    1. Thanks! I am glad you like it! I just love an uneven hemline for some reason.

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    2. Me too. Plus with the unbearable heat I think this thin cotton will be perfect.

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    3. Here is the one I made. It took WAAAY more than an hour - I had to heavily modify it for my almost 7yo. Was so much fun! Thank you for the inspiration!

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    4. Anna, I'm not seeing a link or anything, but I bet it turned out super cute. I'm so glad you could use it. :) Hope you had a great 4th!

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  2. Oh my goodness! Now that's CUTE!! Gotta make one for my niece <3 <3
    Thanks so much for linking up at I Gotta Create!
    <3 Christina

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  3. Thank you for posting about this over at make it and love it. I will have to use it as a starting point since my little one is in a 6. I'm pretty smart tho and think I can figure something out.

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    1. Definitely! I think you could make a really cute skirt for her!

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  4. Oh, I'm definitely making one of these for my daughter! Thanks so much for sharing!!!

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    1. You are welcome! I hope you love it!

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    2. I made it! Mine is a little bit different from yours, but I used your tutorial. It was very helpful! :-)

      http://navywifeypeters.blogspot.com/2012/07/handkerchief-hem-bandana-top.html

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  5. You're a STAR today over at I Gotta Create! This little top is so sweet I featured it on Facebook earlier this week, too. Thanks so much for linking up.

    <3 Christina
    http://igottacreate.blogspot.com/2012/07/wildly-original-round-up-party-features.html

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  6. Replies
    1. Thanks! I love that you don't have many ends to finish or hem. ;)

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  7. This is absolutely adorable. What a clever idea! Jodi @ www.meaningfulmama.com

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  8. oh..this is just stinkin' cute! thank you so much for sharing at Uncommon! featuring this today on our FB page!

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  9. Adorable ... and so quick and easy to make! Going to make matching tops for my 8 month old granddaughter and my 2 year old niece to wear for 4th of July and then again at a bluegrass festival we're all going to in mid-July. Can't wait to see them dressed the same!

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  10. Thank you for sharing. I made one of these but I used Pink and Turquoise. It was so easy to follow your directions and it turned out so cute.

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