How to DIY a Cute and Fun Overlay Skirt
An overlay skirt is a quick and easy way to style a plain outfit. I found elastic with a silver glimmer in a local store that gave my skirt a party look, but plain elastic works just as well.
You don't even need a sewing machine for this, the entire skirt can be hand-stitched.
Tools and materials:
- 4 to 5 yards of tulle
- 2 inch wide elastic
- Needle and thread or sewing machine
- Tape measure
- Scissors
1. Take measurements
Measure the length of your skirt from just below the waist.
For me this was 36 inches, so I bought several yards of fabric to make the skirt as full as I wanted. You will need 4 to 5 layers of tulle.
You also need to measure the length of elastic you need.
For elastic of this width, hold it around your waist without stretching and leave a one inch gap for a snug fit when stretched.
2. Join elastic
The elastic will be visible so you want to join it as neatly as possible.
Place the short ends together with the right side inside. You can hand stitch over the join with a blanket stitch, using a double thread.
You can also use a zigzag stitch on a sewing machine, as I did. The seam should be almost flat on the right side.
3. Attach waistband
Fold the length of tulle until it's the length you want and it fits around your waist, with some gathering.
Sew the bottom edge of the waistband to the tulle, starting at the back seam of the elastic and the center of the folded tulle.
If you're hand-sewing use a hemming stitch, taking your needle down through the skirt and up through the elastic with small stitches.
Alternatively, use your sewing machine and a zigzag stitch.
4. Add tulle layers
Continue to attach the tulle, pleating it as you go to fit the elastic, until you're almost at the center front.
Sew the rest of the tulle from the center back on the other side in the same way, leaving a gap of 3 - 4 inches in the front.
Trim the top edge of the tulle.
DIY overlay skirt
You can wear a sheer maxi skirt over a dress, skirt or pants for completely different looks.
I styled my mesh overlay skirt with leather pants and silver ankle boots and I think it looks amazing.
Do let me know in the comments if you love this design and would like to see more like it.
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I didn't realize the 80's were back, but I'm LOVIN' it!!!