Looking for an easy project to kickstart your sewjo? This easy skirt can be whipped up in an afternoon and, even better, doesn’t need any pattern pieces!
You’ll practise French seams and an enclosed hem, making this really neat too.
In no time you’ll have a breezy skirt that is effortless style and almost effortless sewing!
You will need approx 1.5m of fabric - any dressmaking will work well for this project but especially something with drape. I’m using a viscose challis. You’ll also need, scissors, pins, waistband elastic, thread and a sewing machine.
You will be cutting two rectangles that together measure approximately 2x the width of your waist. The length is up to you, but the same as your waist measurement is a good place to start.
For example, my waist measures 31 inches, so with the fabric folded in half I measured 16inches out from the fold, and then down 30 inches for the length.
16x4 = 64inches, which is double my waist with 2 inches added for seam allowance.
Time for French seams! With the long edges of the rectangle WRONG sides together (ie, pattern side out), pin and sew with a 1cm seam allowance.
Your seam will look like this
Trim the seam allowance down by 3mm, and then press the seam allowance to the side. Then turn the fabric so it’s RIGHT SIDES together and ensure the seam is pressed nearly. Pin, and sew with a 1cm seam allowance. The raw edges of your previous seam should be caught in the new one.
this is your French seam!
Fold the top of the skirt down by 1cm. WRONG sides together. Then fold again. The amount will depend on the width of your elastic. Mine was 5cm wide, so I made my elastic channel 6cm wide.
Pin and top stitch down. This is your chance to add a waistband label if you’d like one!
IMPORTANT: leave a 5cm gap in your stitching, remembering to back stitch at the beginning and end. This is so you can feed the elastic through.
Cut a piece of elastic that is your waist measurement - 2 inches. For example my waist is 31 inches so my piece was 29 inches.
To help keep the elastic from twisting, mark with a pen the two sides that will overlap within the seam.
it helps to round the edges of your elastic with scissors to feed it through. With a safety pin, feed through the channel and then stitch together, using the markings you made to make sure it’s the right side. Slip stitch down the gap in the channel.
Hem the skirt by pressing the bottom up 0.5cm and then again by 0.5cm. This is a narrow hem and a very neat finish. Pin and stitch.
Congratulations! You have made your very own skirt to swish around in!
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