Cheap skirt

DIY PROJECT: handkerchief skirt

With summer in full swing, no doubt you’re in the mood to kick up your heels in something frothy and playful. Something easy to wear that won’t be a burden on your cash-strapped soul, perhaps? Taking our cue from recessionistas everywhere (one particularly innovative soul who could sew a good dress out of curtains served as our inspiration — we’re talking about Maria, of course, from The Sound of Music), YStyle worked with designer Jona Ballaran to create a fun and frisky handkerchief skirt. Easy to make and even easier on the pocket (any old fabric will do, really), this DIY project is, to quote my favorite over-the-top stylist Rachel Zoe, to die!

Materials

Fabric (use an old scarf, colorful bedsheet, or even curtains)

Pins

Ribbon

Thread and needle

Tape measure

Scissors

Step 1

Cut fabric into a square.

Step 2

Fold fabric into four parts, forming a triangle.

Step 3

Measure your waistline and divide it by four (add a couple of inches if you want a gathered effect somewhere in the skirt). Use this measurement as a guide to note where you will cut the fabric (see picture). Once cut, you will have a hole in the middle of the fabric.

Step 4

Try on the skirt. If you added a few inches to the width, you need gather some of the fabric and sew in order for it to fit your waist for a fuller skirt.

Step 5

Cut off the back of the part where you gathered the fabric. This will be the opening of your skirt.

Step 6

Sew in ribbon at the waistline of the skirt. Make sure to add six inches (or more) to each end of the opening. This will serve as the closure for the skirt.

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Want more DIY projects? Tell us what you'd like us to create and e-mail me at jackieoflash@yahoo.com.