The awesome thing about the Veronika skirt pattern is that it includes both woven and knit options. I love sewing with knits because it is so quick! The knit version comes together so simply, and today I will guide you through each step! My skirt is actually a half circle skirt as my fabric wasn’t quite big enough to accommodate the full circle. But don’t worry, the steps are exactly the same! My skirt will just be a little less full than yours.
So let’s get started!
You will just need to cut out the front and back skirt pieces and the wide waistband. Also, grab your elastic.
Tip: I’m working with textured stretch velvet. If using fabric with nap, such as velvet, be sure that the nap goes the same direction for all pattern pieces. If you run your hand along the fabric it will feel smooth or rough depending on the direction.
Now let’s get sewing! First, you will pin or clip your front and back skirt pieces right sides together at the side seams.
Sew or serge the side seams with a 5/8” (1.5cm) seam allowance.
Note: Be sure to use a stretch or zig-zag stitch if not using a serger.
I sew all knits with my serger, so I will not include pressing seams open or to the back. I also did not want to press this textured velvet for my fear of ruining the pretty fabric.
Next pin/clip your waistband piece right sides together width ways.
Sew/serge along the short end using 5/8” (1.5cm) seam allowance.
Fold the waistband in half lengthways, with wrong sides together. Mark the halfway point of the waistband.
Turn the skirt inside out. Place the waistband inside the skirt, right sides together. Line up the skirt side seam with the waistband seam and the other skirt side seam with the halfway point of the waistband marked before. Match up the raw edges and pin/clip.
Making sure to catch all three layers of the fabric, sew/serge the waistband to the skirt leaving about a 1-2” (2.5cm – 5cm) gap to thread the elastic through. It’s okay if you need to stretch the fabric slightly as you go.
Cut your elastic by using your waist measurement. It is recommended to do 2″(5cm) smaller than your waist, but you may choose what is comfortable for you. Attach a safety pin to one end of the elastic and thread it through the waistband casing. Be sure not to pull the other end of the elastic into the casing.
When you reach the other side, overlap the elastic by 1”. Be sure that the elastic is not twisted inside the casing.
Sew to secure.
Note: I like to sew a box with an X in the middle, as seen in the photo above.
Now close the gap in the waistband seam.
To prevent the elastic from twisting inside the casing, you may sew along the side waistband seam to secure it. Stitch in the ditch so it won’t be noticeable. Then you may also tack it along the other side of the waistband along the bottom of the waistband seam. The stitching should not be very noticeable.
You may either hem the skirt at this point or leave it raw, as knit fabrics do not fray.
To hem fold under 1/2” (1.2cm) and topstitch using a twin needle, zig-zag stitch, or my preference is to use my cover stitch machine. To help make hemming the curve easier, you may choose to sew a long basting stitch along the entire hem at 1/2” (1.2cm). Fold along your stitch line, press, and topstitch. Just remove the basting stitch once sewn.
Another helpful tip for fabrics that do not press well or are slippery, is to use wash away hem tape to hold your hemline in place as you topstitch. You may also want to let your skirt hang on a dress form or hanger for a couple of days before hemming. This allows portions of the skirt to stretch out. Then you may correct the hemline by trimming before hemming.
Because of the texture of my velvet fabric, I chose to leave my skirt hem raw. Just be sure to secure your serger threads if not hemming. You may thread them back through or zig-zag stitch over the thread tail.
And that’s it! You’ve completed the knit Veronika skirt in just a few easy steps!
Thanks for sewing along with me!
Nastasia
// LOOKING FOR MORE VERONIKA POSTS? //
Here’s the full list of the upcoming Veronika posts and tutorials:
- Veronika is now available in extended sizes!
- Veronika Inspiration & Ideas
- How to // Pocket & Seams
- How to // Waistband & Zipper
- How to // Hemming
- How to // Knit version (this post!)
- Pattern hack // Paperbag waist
- Pattern hack // Veronika in Brocade
- How to // Sew a Horsehair Braid Hem
- A simple trick for evening out the hem of a circle skirt
We absolutely love seeing what you make, so don’t forget to tag your creations with #MNveronika and @megannielsenpatterns when sharing on social media, and check out what everyone else is up to!
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