Make a simple young girl’s skirt that any fairy princess would be proud to wear.
Time it takes to make: 3-4 Hours
Skill level : Beginner/Intermediate
You will need:
1Mtr (1 ⅛th yds) of fabric.
65cms (¾yd) of 25mm (1”) wide elastic.
Scissors
Matching thread.
Pins, Safety pin or Bodkins
Sewing machine
Step-by-step instructions:
All seams are 1.5cms or 5/8”
Before you start your project, gather all your supplies and have a quick read through the instructions just to familiarise yourself with the terminology. It is always a good idea to wash your fabric before you begin work to eliminate any possibility of shrinkage at a later date. Iron your fabric with a suitable temperature to ensure it is flat and easy to work with. You would be amazed with the difference in size a few creases can make.
Step 1
This skirt is made up of just 4 pieces, two skirt panels and two waistband pieces. You don’t need to make a pattern just use the measurements below, I have used a pattern for visualisation purposes. Fold you fabric right sides together, you can either make a pattern out of grease-proof paper or just draw on the fabric with either tailors chalk or an air erasable pen.
Step 2
The Back measures 32.5cms x 35.5cms mark a notch at the top 16cms from the left side and one 15cms up from the hem also on the left side. Mark 2 notches on the right hand side, 9cms from the top and 17cms from the bottom. Place this on the straight of the grain (an even distance from the selvedge {edge} or a straight thread) and cut two.
The Front measures exactly the same but this is placed on the fold of the fabric. Mark a notch at the top 16cms from the left side and two further notches one 9cms from the top and one 17cms from the bottom, again on the left hand side.The waistband pieces are both cut on the fold. The Back waistband measures 30.5cms wide and 9.5cms deep. Mark a notch at the top 16.5cms from the right side and another 3cms from the bottom, again on the right. The Front waistband is slightly longer at 32.5cms but the same depth of 9.5cms. Again mark two notches one at the top 16.5cms from the left side and another 3cms from the bottom. Carefully cut out the four pieces. On both waistbands mark the position for two tailors tacks (small circles) 2cms and 4.5cms down from the top at the side seam.
Step 3
With right sides together match the Centre Back notches and pin the CB seam, tack if required. Sew the seam, remove the pins as you approach them, remembering to back tack at the start and end of the seam. Press the seam open and neaten either with a zig zag stitch, overlocking stitch or overlocker.
Step 4
Matching the notches, stitch the front of the skirt to the back at the side seams, neaten the raw seam and press to the back of the skirt.
Step 5
Make the tailors tacks on the waistband where the small dots are. To do this take a double thread, make two loose stitches in the shape of a X, forming a loop through both fabric layers and pattern, if you used one, leaving long ends.
Step 6
Snip the thread between the fabric layers leaving tufts. Cut the loop to remove the pattern.
Step 7
With right sides together and matching notches, stitch front and back waistbands together at the side seams, leaving an opening between the small dots at the RIGHT side only. Press both these seams in the same direction.
Step 8
Press under 1.5cms on the long unnotched edge of the waistband. Trim to 6mm
Step 9
Turn the skirt inside out, pin the WRONG side of the skirt to the RIGHT of the waistband, matching the notches, centres and side seams. Pin, tack if required and stitch.
Step 10
Trim the seam. Press towards the waistband. Turn to the right side. Pin and tack the pressed edge over the seam, matching the centres. Stitch close to the edge, then stich close to the upper edge of the waistband.
Step 11
Cut a piece of elastic to fit the waist measurement plus 2.5cms. Insert the elastic with the use of a safety pin or bodkin.
Step 12
Pull the safety pin or bodkin through the casing, pin the ends of the elastic together. Try on the skirt and adjust to fit, stitch the ends of the elastic securely together. Slip stitch opening closed. Secure the elastic so it won’t twist in wearing by stitching through all thicknesses of casing at the seams.
Step 13
Hem the skirt by pressing up 5cms to the inside, tuck under the raw edge to meet the crease. Press, pin and tack. Stitch in place. Give the skirt a final press and its ready for your little princess.
Made by Bernadette Wainwright for The Craft Cotton Company 2018
Find her on Instagram @bernie_sew_whats_new