Tutorial : Easy Versatile Skirt

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I had made a poncho-shirt (tutorial listed below) from this fabric and had a over a yard left and decide to make a really cute skirt out of it. I was going to make an above the knee skirt but decided that leaving it longer left me tons of options on how to wear it. And with winter coming up, I could totally rock this with a pair of tights or high boots! Here's How to make it:

What you will need:

- 1 yard of knit fabric, but i'm sure this can be made out of any type of fabric

- 1 elastic band, measure your waist and subtract 1-3 inches off the length.

- sewing basics; scissors, thread, etc.

First measure your waist..I added 10 inches to my waist since I pleated the fabric...cut the fabric in the shape of a rectangle, longest side being the length of your waist + 10 inches & the shorter being how long you would like the skirt (be sure to include room for the hem in that length). Then take and pleat the entire length of the skirt along the waistband. Sew along the pleat, securing it.

Apply the elastic band on top of the fabric. Elastic is kind of tricky to sew with... in order for it to do it's job & keep the skirt up you have to cut it smaller than the length of you waist... there for you have to stretch it as you sew to attach it to the skirt. Tricky, I know. This is my first time sewing elastic without a casing but I did find it a little easier to do it like this. 

I pinned the beginning and end of the elastic to each side of the fabric. Then I found the middle of the elastic and the middle of the fabric and pinned it there as well. Then find the middle of the elastic and the fabric between each pin and pin there. 

When you start sewing, hold the elastic at the pin and pull tight until the fabric is flush with the elastic. I found it easier to work in little sections because you only have one hand left guiding the fabric straight since the other if pulling the elastic. 

Pin the open side of the skirt together, including the elastic band and sew two pieces of fabric together. Be sure to go over the elastic 2 or 3 times to ensure it's secure. Cut off any extra fabric after the stitch is complete.

 

Try on to determine the correct length & hem the skirt.....Ta-da! You're done!! Simple, right?

Okay, I look like a giant, I know. My husband is an awful photographer BUT I really wanted to include a good picture, instead of a crappy low quality cell phone photo, of the fabric because I absolutely ADORE it.