
Easy To Sew Skirt – Who knew a sewing machine could be so great (well, lots of people obviously – it just took me longer to figure it out). After I got over my initial fear of sewing, I actually managed to create a few cute projects. My second project was a super easy skirt for my daughter. It turned out pretty well and I thought I’d give it another go with some beautiful new fabric and document the process this time – why not help out a few newbies who may be nervous about sewing too. If I can do it, anyone can. This skirt can be made in child or adult sizes.
I originally found this wonderful sewing tutorial on YouTube by craftyamy93 – what a great job she did explaining everything. To watch this fabulous video tutorial go here.
Materials:
- Sewing machine with corresponding coloured thread
- Fabric
- Elastic (thick width)
- Measuring tape
- Scissors
- Clothing iron
- Pins
- Chalk or Fabric Pen/Pencil
Instructions:
- To get the size for the elastic, measure the elastic around your waist so that it’s a little snug, cut to size, pin the elastic right sides together and sew – double stitch and finally top stitch.
- Measure the length that you want your skirt to be and then add 2″ for seam allowance.
- To figure out the measurement for the width of fabric you’ll need, stretch the stitched elastic as far as you can, measure and then double that measurement.
- Cut the fabric to the correct measurements.
- Turn fabric inside out so that the good sides face each other, pin two edges together and sew with a 1/2″ seam. Iron seam flat. Using a zig-zag stitch, finish the edge of fabric that will be sewn onto the elastic to keep it from fraying.
- Create the skirt hem by folding over edge 1/2″, iron and then fold over again, iron, pin and sew.
- Take the elastic and mark with 4 pins evenly space out around the elastic (fold in half to find the 4 spots). Do the same for the skirt. Now match up the 4 pins on the elastic to the pins on the skirt and then pin the fabric to the elastic in those 4 spots (fabric about half way down the width of the elastic).
- Starting at the first pin, sew using a zig-zag stitch, pulling the elastic taut as you go. Sew all the way around the elastic in this manner. You can also do it a second time around about a 1/2″ down if you choose.
- Snip off any stray threads and you’re done.
If you’re up for it, you can add a zipper like craftyamy93 did in her video (I’m just not quite that brave yet although she makes it look super easy).
