How to DIY a Cute and Flirty Ruffle Skirt

Tools and materials:

• 1.25 yards (1 meter) viscose or similar fabric, 59 inches (150 cm) wide
• 1.5 inch (4 cm) wide elastic
• Tweezers
• Fabric marker
• Measuring tape
• Ruler
• Pins
• Scissors
• Sewing machine
• Serger (optional)

1. Cut out the skirt

Fold your fabric in half lengthways twice.

Place it in front of you with the folded edge towards you.

Cut two strips from one end, each 8.6 inches (22 cm) wide.

The remaining piece is the length of your skirt without the ruffles, with the hem edge to your right.

If you want a shorter skirt, you can adjust the length here.

Fold over the waistband to the width of your elastic and pin the elastic to it.

Measure and mark the width for your waist from the folded edge. 

This will be 10.25 inches (26 cm) for size M, 11 inches (28 cm) for L and 12 inches (30 cm) for XL.

The waistband is elasticated, so this is the size needed to go over your hips.

Mark 14 inches (36 cm) from the fold at the hem edge. Join the two marks with a straight line and cut along this line.

Mark 2 finger widths up from the hem at the side edge and curve the hem to meet it.

2. Attach the ruffles

Sew two rows of gathering threads along the top edge of each ruffle, leaving long ends.

Alternatively, you can gather by machine by setting a long stitch length at a high tension and sew one row, leaving the ends long.

Gather the ruffles evenly to the width of the lower edge of the skirt pieces and knot the thread ends.

Pin and sew the ruffles in place with the right sides together.

Use tweezers or something similar to help guide the fabric under the needle.

Fold the seam upwards towards the skirt and top stitch close to the edge.

3. Sew the waistband

Place the two skirt pieces together with the right sides facing and sew the side seams.

Cut the elastic to fit your waist, overlap the ends and sew them securely.

Mark the half and quarter points of the elastic and the center front and back of the skirt.

With the elastic seam at the center back and the quarter marks to the side seams, pin the elastic to the inside of the waist at the four points.

Serge or zigzag stitch the elastic to the top edge of the skirt, stretching it as you sew.

Turn the waistband over to the inside and sew it down along the bottom edge.

4. Finishing

Turn up and sew a narrow double hem along the bottom of the ruffle.

DIY ruffle skirt

My mother says this DIY ruffle skirt is too flirty and risque for a first date! Personally I think it looks lovely, very fresh and summery.

But maybe you agree with my mother and would prefer something more conservative for a first date? 

Please let me know what you think in the comments. For more sewing tips and tricks, follow me on TikTok too: @tugbaisler

Next, check out my post on How to DIY an Elegant Silky Blouse.