Sewing: Vintage Zoo Dirndl Skirt (Tutorial for a Time...Pattern Always)

I have been in the habit of making coordinating outfits for my girls' birthday parties. It's pretty fun to pull the theme through their wardrobes, but with three girls and three parties, I may have to scale it back! This year, for Audrey's fifth birthday Tess was aced out--the party was during her naptime so she wore something comfortable to bed. But lucky Scarlett got to skip her nap, wear a new skirt, have lunch with the older girls, and go along to the zoo!

This Vintage Zoo Dirndl Skirt is another version of the Dirndl Skirt I made for Scarlett earlier this year. This time I made the apron rounded, trimmed it with rickrack and rounded the bottom of the pockets too. I love it. Less traditional "dirndl" certainly but all the more retro. Fun, I think.

What I love about this skirt: It has a wide waistband, integrated apron--so you don't have to worry about it falling off, but still legitimate apron ties, which make a nice wide bow. And the potential looks are endless. With this version, I mixed two patterned fabrics, the same I used for Audrey's Vintage Zoo Dress (fabric details here), and I think the look would be really different (and equally fun) had I used the polka dot for the apron and the zoo print for the skirt. The first Dirndl Skirt I made this spring uses a bold blue and pink floral and a solid pink apron. A striped skirt would be darling. A couple bold florals would also be cute.

This skirt is twice as full as Scarlett's waist for a generous, but not too heavy, look. I actually made the first Dirndl Skirt three times as full as her waist, which looks darling, but is a bit heavy with the apron on a little girl.

I think these Dirndl Skirts are the perfect thing for back-to-school (scary but true that it's right around the corner). They would be a fun way to dress up a plain t-shirt, or one with crocheted posies perhaps, and would work perfectly with peter pan collared blouses and mary janes for a more timeless look. If you like the idea of the integrated apron, but aren't a fan of retying the bow in back you could also leave off the ties. I designed the back with a cute ruffled casing that looks great on its own.

Do you have some ideas? Are you ready to try a Dirndl Skirt? I hope so, because I am giving away this new pattern via download until August 21st. And, after the 21st you can find it in my shop. The pattern includes detailed instructions for the Dirndl Skirt with the squared or rounded aprons with plenty of photos and diagrams. It also walks you through taking measurements to make this custom fitted garment--this skirt works for girls of all ages! Because it is custom-fitted (similar to my Couture Skirt) there are no pattern pieces to print and tape together. You just measure and cut.

If you make one I would love to see pictures. I hope you'll share them in my Flickr group or leave me a comment with a link.

Happy sewing! Oh, and the Zoo Party wrap up post is coming soon....