Polka Dot Graffiti Skirt by Girl. Inspired.

Hi!  I’m Stef from Girl. Inspired.  Polkadot Chair was one of the first blogs I ever read, when Girl. Inspired. was itty bitty and brand new.  It is such a thrill to be posting here today for Project Polkadot!!  Today I’m sharing a project that turned out to be very different than what I planned, but absolutely perfect for my wild child!

Who doesn’t love polka dots?  I just think most everything is better with polka dots, don’t you?  As I started brainstorming a polka dotted project, I envisioned stenciling some large polka dots onto a solid fabric which I could use for some sweet apparel for one of my girls.  After browsing the fabric paint section at my local crafts store, I decided to try an aerosol-type spray paint intended for fabric.

I took the paint home and diligently cut out a polka dot stencil using my Cricut (you could use any die cut machine or a circle punch) and some freezer paper.

I cut a circle skirt pattern from a shimmery satin remnant, ironed down the first section of freezer paper stencil, and took it outside to start my painting.

And then things went wrong.  The paint spattered, it splattered, it dripped big random glops of paint outside the stencil lines.  It was so opposite what I had intended.  I got a little mad and just sprayed all irritated-like on the rest of the skirt and then stormed back inside to come up with a new project.  A while later, I went outside to gather my failure of a project and I pulled the freezer paper stencil off of the fabric.  It was then that I realized that my graffiti polka dot shell of a skirt, though not the look I was going for, would be E.X.A.C.T.L.Y. the skirt that my 5-year-old daughter would go crazy for.  So I sprayed one more splotch of polka dots (vertically) on another section of the skirt, quite pleased with my accidental project.  (The paint dried pretty stiff on the fabric, but I did notice the store had a separate section of the same paints that said “stays soft”.  I didn’t realize the reference at the time, but it would probably be a better option for soft apparel.)

I finished the skirt with a rolled hem (you can find my rolled hem video tutorial here) and sewed an elastic waistband on the top and you know what?  My daughter did love it.  My daughter who loves blue and anything action-oriented, whose favorite toys are matchbox cars and remote controlled cars, and who will surely give me a whole head of gray hairs.  She LOVES the grafitti skirt.  It’s a little girly with the circle skirt style and shimmery blue fabric, but it’s also edgy and messy, much like her!

So, that’s how my project gone wrong turned out to be the perfect project after all!! What do you think?  Do you know anyone who would love a big splash of graffiti polka dots?

Come visit me over at Girl. Inspired. and tell me what sorts of things you’re doing with polka dots.  I’ve been sewing with polka dot fabric a lot lately – this ruffled jacket was one of my favorites!  Thanks for letting me share this project here today!  I’m really enjoying all of the guests’ ideas for Project Polkadot!!  You’re awesome, Melissa!

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Thank you so much Stef!! I didn’t even know you could paint fabric.  My daughter would ADORE this skirt!

I was able to meet Stef at the Alt Summit this year. I’d been a reader of her blog for a while but never got to say “hello” in person! Make sure you check out here blog,  this girl has some MAD sewing skills!