Tools and materials:
- Ankara print fabric
- Invisible zipper
- Heat n Bond tape
- Scissors
- Serger/sewing machine
DIY a Stunning Ankara Skirt
5 Materials
$25
3 Hours
Easy
I absolutely love a good fashion DIY! I decided to make the most amazing, colorful Ankara skirt which has totally become a favorite. The Ankara print I chose definitely made the skirt but another great detail I added was the gorgeous thigh-high slit. If you want to learn all the tips and tricks to making this absolute stunner of a skirt my tutorial is definitely for you! Follow my simple step-by-step guide and get started on making this totally stunning skirt to add to your wardrobe.
Ankara skirt design
Cut the fabric
To kick off this DIY I laid out my pattern pieces from Simplicity Pattern 1559 on the fabric. I followed the instructions on the best way to lay out the different pieces. I then pinned the pattern pieces onto the fabric which made cutting a whole lot easier.
Cut the fabric
Once all my pins were in, I cut out the fabric. I made sure to cut as close to the pattern as possible so that the size of the pieces would be accurate.
Ankara skirt tutorial
Before I removed the pattern pieces from the fabric, I marked all the details. I love using this pattern because it has features like where to sew a dart. I used a serrated tracing wheel and wax paper to mark the darts and notches.
Serge the fabric
Serge the edges
For this project, I chose to use a serger. I used a stitching length of 3.0 and a stitching width of 5.0 to serge the edges of the fabric pieces.
Place the front pieces together
Sew the front pieces
I decided to put together the front pieces of the skirt which are like a mirror image of one another. I always find it easier when I start seeing the pieces together so I know what goes where and how to adjust if necessary. Once I had pinned the pieces I went ahead and sewed them.
How to sew an Ankara skirt
Next, it was time to pin the darts in place on the front of the skirt. I created the dart fold and pinned it. Darts always help create a more fitted look. I hopped back on over to my sewing machine and sewed the darts in place.
Add the flap
Another easy step was adding the top flap to the front of the skirt. I pinned it in place, right sides together, and then sewed it on.
Ankara skirt styles
Attach a zipper to the back
The front was basically finished so I moved on to adding an invisible zipper to the back of the skirt. I laid the fabric flat and then turned the zip backward, opened it up, and pinned one side onto the edge of the fabric. There is an invisible zipper foot but I actually used a normal zipper foot to sew on the zipper.
DIY Ankara skirt
Just like I had done before, I pinned and sewed the other side of the zipper onto the other skirt piece.
Sew the back
Sew the back pieces
I pinned the back of the skirt and the flap at the top just as I had on the front. I moved back to my sewing machine and sewed. I love seeing my DIY project come together.
Pin the back and front together
Sew the back and front together
Finally, it was time to pin the back and front pieces together. I placed them right sides together, making sure the flaps were on the outside. Once all the pins were in place, I sewed the front and back of the skirt together.
Add tape
Add Heat n Bond tape
For one of my final touches, I used Heat n Bond tape. I ripped off a piece of tape and stuck it down under the flap. I then grabbed my iron and ran it across the flap over the tape.
Peel the paper
After pressing the flap, I had to peel off the paper. I then went over it again with the iron to make sure the flaps would stick down to the fabric.
Hem the skirt
I repeated the same process to hem the skirt. I had already marked exactly where I wanted the hem to be so it was a quick and easy step.
Raise the slit
Modify the slit
Next, it was time to modify the slit. I used my seam ripper to make the slit a little bit higher and then used the tape to finish the edges of the slit.
Sewing an Ankara skirt
I just adore this Ankara skirt. How would you style this piece? Let me know in the comments below!
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