I’m so happy you all liked the maxi skirt i made a few weeks ago! As promised I’ve put together a little tutorial on how you can make one yourself.
Instructions after the jump!
What you’ll need:
– 1.5 yards of 58/60″ wide jersey fabric (You could just as easily make this with a non stretchy fabric, I just think it’s more comfy and drapey in jersey)
– 1 yard of 2″ wide elastic
What do to:
1) Figure out how long you want your skirt to be, then add on 3 inches. For me I wanted my skirt to be 43″ long so that I could wear it with heels – so my magic number was 46″ (43 + 3) – now cut your fabric to be as long as the measurement you just calculated. So you will end up with a rectangle – mine was 58/60″ wide and 46″ long.
2) Now fold your fabric in half width ways with the right sides together. Sew down the side 1/2″ from the raw edge using either a serger/overlocker or a zig zag stitch on a regular machine.
3) Now it’s time to hem the skirt, if you like you can neaten the raw edge by using either a serger/overlocker or a zig zag stitch – but it’s not really necessary as jersey doesn’t fray. Fold under 1/2″ and top stitch the hem. (I used a double needle but you can just as easily use a zig zag stitch)
4) Now we’re going to create the waistband. Like before you can neaten the raw edge if you like, but it’s not necessary. Fold under 2.5″ of fabric and stitch close to the raw edge – making sure you leave a 2-3″ opening so we can thread the elastic. Once again i used a double needle, but you can also use a zig zag stitch.
5) Now we’re going to cut our elastic. Measure yourself at your natural waistline (or where you want the skirt to sit). Now cut the elastic to be that long. For me my measurement was 28″. Attach a safety pin or bodkin to the end of your elastic and thread it through the waistband casing. When you reach the opening overlap the elastic by 1/2″ and stitch. Then sew the opening closed.
6) This last step is totally optional – but i find it really irritating when the elastic in waistbands starts to get twisted through longer wear, so i like to top stitch down the middle of the waistband, attaching the skirt to the elastic. It’s a really easy technique, you just stretch the elastic and then sew using a regular straight stitch all the way round.
And now you’re done! I hope you enjoy your skirt!!
** If you need some extra tips on sewing with stretchy fabric, then check out this post, or if you’re looking for somewhere to buy jersey fabric check this one out.
