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:

1. 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.
2. Measure the length that you want your skirt to be and then add 2″ for seam allowance.
3. 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.
4. Cut the fabric to the correct measurements.
5. 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.
6. Create the skirt hem by folding over edge 1/2″, iron and then fold over again, iron, pin and sew.
7. 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).
8. 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.
9. 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).