Twirly Skirt Tutorial

I had a couple of people asking how I made the most recent skirts for my girls. First of all thanks to everyone for your kind comments and interest.

I put together a couple of sketches and tutorial to show how I made the twirly skirts. I wish I could add pictures of the actual sewing process, but I am in the middle of other projects right now and don't really have the time to make another skirt. So, I hope my descriptions are clear and understandable.

If you are trying to follow this tutorial and get stuck at any time please contact me and I will try to help. Also, if you prefer to receive the layout and sketch via email please contact me as well. I would be more than happy to send it to you.

Also, I would love to see your creations. Once you are done please post a comment with a link to your picture. Thanks so much and have fun making these skirts.

Pattern:

You will need two contrasting fabrics, a piece of 3/4" elastic and coordinating thread. Cut your fabric according to the diagram below.

Step 1: Sew Top Layer

- sew your rectangle together at the short ends

- finish the raw edges of your seam allowance on the short ends either with a serger or zigzag stitch

- to form your casing for the elastic fold the top edge over 1/2" and again 1 1/8", press and stitch close to the lower edge of your fold, leaving a 1" opening for inserting the elastic later on

Step 2: Sew Bottom Layer

- sew your rectangle together at the short ends. This time you will not need to finish the raw edges, since you are using the full width of the fabric with the selvedges still intact.

- to finish the lower edge, fold over 1/2" and again 1/2", press and stitch all the way around.

- gather the top of your bottom layer. There are different ways on how to do it. Here is a link to one of the versions. Place your stitch line about 1/4" from the raw edge.

Step 3: Assembly

a) gather the bottom layer to the same circumference as the top layer

b) turn the top layer right side out. Leave the bottom layer left side out.

- To attach the top layer to the bottom layer insert the top into the bottom with right sides facing and raw edges matching.

pin or baste into place, sew all the way around about 1/2" from the raw edge.

c) Finish the raw edges of both of the layers

d) Press seam allowance towards the top layer and topstitch on the right side about 1/4" above the seam for a finished look.

e) Insert elastic, overlay ends and stitch together. Close the opening in your casing.

YOU ARE ALL DONE!!!