Maybe Matilda: Peekaboo Lace Slip

Monday, June 6, 2011

Peekaboo Lace Slip

In case you missed this a few weeks ago when it was posted over at Midwestern {Sewing} Girl, here's the project I shared . . . a peekaboo lace slip!
Perfect for adding a touch of drama and romance to any plain old skirt:


I don't know about you ladies, but I love to wear skirts--they're breezy and cool for the summer, and I never feel prettier than when I'm in a skirt or a dress (I clearly haven't yet outgrown the little girl princess fascination). But I sometimes feel like my skirts need a little something extra . . . this is where the peekaboo lace slip comes in! With one simple, easy to sew piece, you can add a whole new look to the wardrobe you already have and really spice up your outfits. Let's get real; what outfit couldn't use a little extra lace? Think it over, and when you've decided that they all need more lace, let's get to work!


I love what it adds to this basic pencil skirt:

And it looks equally cute under a casual A-line style as well:
(oh dear! That is why I wear purple tights. Not because I'm supa-fashionable, but because my legs are cornea-blastingly bright.)

You won't need much, and might even already have all the materials on hand:
(Click "read more" below to make one of your own!)


I used:
- a bit of muslin (no need to buy fancy fabric for a piece of clothing that's going to be hiding underneath other clothing!)--I believe I used about 1 1/2-2 yards
- elastic (cut to fit snugly around your waist)
- lace (you won't believe it, but the pretty lace peeking out from under that skirt? It came from this goofy old curtain panel that I picked up for free at a craft swap. I see these curtains at thrift stores all the time for super cheap . . . bet you never thought they'd come in handy!)

Start by cutting your muslin for the slip--you'll need to cut it to your waist measurement times 1.5 (mine came to about 50 inches) for the long end, and the length you want your slip to be plus about 2 inches (to allow some extra room for the hem and elastic casing). You can cut it a tad on the short side since you'll be adding length with the lace at the bottom.

Sew the 2 short ends of this rectangle together to make a big tube, then finish the edges to prevent fraying (either with a serger, if you have one, [I don't] or by just sewing a zig zag stitch over the rough edges)

Now we're going to make the casing for the elastic waistband. Fold over one end of your muslin tube roughly 1/4", then fold again to the width of the elastic (I believe my elastic was 1"). Begin sewing this casing down as close to the edge as you can.

(Rather than pinning the casing in place, I like to just plunk the elastic where it needs to be and fold the fabric over it as I sew. That way, I can be positive that the casing is the right size for the elastic to fit through without measuring and pinning. Just make sure not to sew through the elastic!)

Stop sewing about an inch before you get back to your starting point--you need to leave an opening to feed the elastic through.

Attach a safety pin to one end of your elastic and feed it through the casing, using the safety pin to pull it through. Make sure you're keeping the safety-pin-less end of the elastic outside of the casing and not letting it get pulled in and lost inside. (I've done that before . . . )

When the elastic has been pulled through, overlap the ends and securely stitch them together (make sure you sew back and forth quite a few times--you need that to be a strong seam!), then sew down the last inch of open casing.

Now to create the bottom hem (you're almost to the fun part!)--just fold up the bottom end by 1/4", fold it again another 1/4" (so the rough, cut edge of the fabric is completely covered), and sew it down. I feel like I should tell you to iron and pin, but I rarely do that myself. But it certainly wouldn't be a bad idea.
(Nice manicure, eh?)

This is the best part! Take your lace (or, in my case, ridiculous curtain panel) and, if necessary, cut to the size you need--I cut about a 4 or 5" wide piece, right through the center of the sheep motif. Lay it on top of the hem you just created and stitch it on, ruffling as you go. Rather than sewing a wide stitch and gathering it up, I prefer to just bunch up the lace in front of the presser foot, like so:
Much easier, and it comes out just as nice!

When you get back around to where the lace begins on your slip, cut any remaining lace length.

Overlap the ends and sew them together.
Now try it on underneath a skirt that needs some extra flair, and you're good to go!


I'll be linking this project to Sew Can Do, Dittle Dattle, Sugar Bee Crafts, Tea Rose Home, Crayon Freckles, So You Think You're Crafty,  and The Train to Crazy!

22 comments :

  1. I love it! It looks way cute with your purple tights too.

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  2. This is so, so pretty! Thanks for the tutorial.

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  3. So. so. cute! And I love your tights! (Are some of the ones you got for $1????) So. jealous!

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  4. So cute! And can I say how much I love the purple tights?

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  5. Very very cute! I just sewed a bit of lace on to a skirt itself. Should have done this. I think I will at some point soon.
    xxx

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  6. This is adorable. Do you feel like people look at your funny when you wear skirts in Iowa? Or am I just a weirdo. Don't answer that. :P

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  7. I still want to try one of these to wear under my ginormo maternity skirts....

    Also, I wanted to tell you that I've been loving your photography posts...I just got a camera for my birthday but have NO IDEA what I am doing. I just took a class two days ago but am still a crazy girl at the wheel. Your posts are great and helpful. I lOVE them.

    liZ
    (simplesimonandco)
    ---will blogger ever quit having issues with me posting?????

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  8. I love your purple tights!! And your baby blanket from a couple posts ago---FABulous. Really. Why did I not know about you a year ago when we were adopting our youngest? Who is now a chunka munka and detests blankets. Dang.

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  9. Ahhh, those purple tights are calling to me!!! What an awesome idea! I just made your "tie necklace" tonight and plan on blogging and showing it, so I'll let you know! And now I might be making this too!! Thanks for sharing such cuteness!

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  10. this is so fun and flirty! and an amazingly detailed tutorial! thanks so much! i would love it if you shared this at my tip-toe thru tuesday party! :) andiejaye @ crayonfreckles

    http://crayonfreckles.blogspot.com/2011/06/tip-toe-thru-tuesday-2.html

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  11. Very cute!

    I have leggings that that bright fushcia as well and have no idea what to wear with them. Thanks for some good ideas!

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  12. This is so cute! Never would have thought to make one, but I love it.

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  13. Hi Rachel. Your project is so cute and stylish!
    Love it!
    I'm now a new follower on GFC. Hope you can hop by and check out my project:
    http://stylendecordeals.blogspot.com/2011/03/my-no-sew-project-canopy-bed-crown.html
    nancy

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  14. I LOVE this I totally want to make one you have the best tutes girl I swear!

    Meet Virginia

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  15. I know what I makin' tomorrow.
    Rachel-- you have saved the lives of the pile of these funny curtain thingies that I just found whilst cleaning. Fantastic.
    ~Sheduah
    http://theartofthehearth.blogspot.com/

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  16. you have a great blog here ! Love all the tuts!

    Alex
    http://www.youhadmeatcraft.com/

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  17. Wonderful post -Thanks for sharing this article with me and your reader. I have add your site to my bookmark for search any more article that i am search then i come for your site first for search.

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    ReplyDelete

Thanks for commenting!

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