Ask, and ye shall receive! Here’s the step by step instructions on how to make my (CatRabbit’s!)DIY full skirt with elasticised waist. It’s seriously, seriously easy folks.
You can use any kind of fabric – The first time I used a cotton fabric, which gave the skirt a little poofiness – this time I used jersey which is a little softer and drapey.
Step 1. Measure out some fabric to the length and fullness that you’d like the skirt. More fabric = more fullness.
To give you an idea, this is the fabric-to-body ratio I used to make this skirt:
Step 2. Pin the edges together – try to match up the seams if you can – you don’t think it’ll make a difference, but it can actually be noticeable if it’s a really striking pattern.
Step 3. Sew the seams together.
Step 3a: If you feel like it, you can press & finish the seam by ironing it, then sewing a second line of stitching down the edge of the seam to encourage it to sit flat.
Step 4: Measure the elastic to allow it to sit comfortably around your waist, then sew the two edges together. I used a satin stitch, because it’s extra strong.
Step 5: Start your gathering! Sew a basting stitch (the longest stitch your machine will let you sew) all around the waist of the skirt fabric, then grab one thread from one edge and start pulling… gently! If the thread snaps, you’ll have to start again! Keep gathering until the skirt waist sort of matches up to the waistband
Step 6: Pin the two together! Don’t skimp on the pins. More pins = less trouble sewing the two together. Check your gathering to make sure it’s all even
Step 7: Sew the skirt to the waistband.
Step 8: Finish the hem
Step 8: Finish the hemStep 9: Enjoy!
Top: Events
Skirt: DIY
Shoes: Nude
Earrings: Tango & James
Thank you. That is such an easy to follow guide. I want to make one now!
I love that skirt on you with the shirt and pumps.
Vicki xx
Gorgeous…Genius.. too bad I don't have a sewing machine.
Totally adorable. I am in the process of making a skirt emulating this one–http://www.polyvore.com/tulle_skirt/thing?id=12159740–from Chan Luu but in Navy blue with grey. Your tutorial was very helpful! I might need a stripey skirt next! 🙂
gathering is a pain in the patootie 😀 but i find, if you baste twice, once 1/4 inch from the edge, and again 1/2 inch from the edge, and pull both threads together, it makes it easier, it stays more secure, lays flatter sewing it, and there's much less chance of breaking the thread.
this turned out beautifully!!
just saw you in the Sun Herald!!!
Lovely!
I have the fabric… now to find the elastic!
Thanks Vicki – I'm glad you found the guide helpful!
You probably *could* do it by hand, Literal Gemini – but it'd take a while I guess… I'm the world's slowest hand sewer!
That is one seriously cute skirt, Alexis! Do let me know how you go – I'd love to see the finished product 🙂
Oooh – Good tip, Trinity Lea – thanks for that!
LOL, Wow! I must go out and buy a copy!
Where are you, Dotted Lines? I bought the elastic from a little sewing shop on Glenferrie Rd in Malvern, but most fabric shops should have wide waistband elastic (mostly in black and/or white, granted)
Congrats for the awesome spread in today's The Age liftout!
Maz
Fabulous february!
love the skirt love the tute you are super cool miss lilli xxx
Love the skirt, I can't sew to save my life ..and I'd my age …I'm not even going to try BUT …it's gorgeous and so are you.
I bet you get a lot of new followers after the Sun Herald article, including me. xx
I showed hubby the article about you in The Age and he commented on how great you looked and how good it was to see a real woman in print.
THANK YOU!! =)
I just got my sewing machine back from the repairers so this is perfect! =)
I love this look Lilli! Pairing the skirt with red shoes and lips is a good decision!
Congrates on being featured in The Age!
You make sewing look so easy but I will probably mess up along the way! Haha!
Just discovered you thanks to the article in the Sun Herald….great site
awn. i was sewing a skirt. And i was having trouble to sew the elastic in it. now, with your tutorial, everything just got so much easier! thanks. a lot.
thank you, this is perfect i've got lots of navy blue fabric and always wanted to make a skirt out of it but never quite knew what it really should look like. i'll wash the fabric tommorow and start right away. (in germany its 20:00 now and i'm not allowed to wash after 20:00 🙁 )
WOW! You are so talented. Very nice skirt!
hellolucie.blogspot.com
Thanks for this, am just starting to learn how to machine sew so this will be a great project. You look lovely x
Congrats on the fab article by the way! Awesome photograph 🙂
I'm in Vancouver, Canada. 🙂 We have an amazing shop called Dressew, that has almost anything one could ever need. I'm pretty sure I saw big elastic in there the last time I browsed. I'll have to pop in on Monday.
Fantastic. I am so going to make one. Thanks again for the Melbourne recommendations, btw.
My friend and I both ended up with the black skirt/dress from Dream Diva. Happy Campers.
That skirt is so cute! As soon as I get my hands on a sewing machine again i'm setting out to make it!
Gorgeous Skirt! Love the instructions!
http://mtlfashionplussize.blogspot.com/
You look great and the skirt is just perfect. I am so inspired to do more DIY adorableness!
Wow…That was awesome! Who knew it could be that easy…
I made one! I added pockets to mine as I love pockets.
It's on my blog if you'd like to see. http://keydatain.blogspot.com/
Thanks for the inspiration! x
I like the simplicity of it.
Nice little outfit.
Your pics are remarkable. You have really made me work out of the box with my style and sewing. I would love to know if your shoes can be found in the United States.