Skirt Set

 This is the last (I think! At least for this year… I have a couple more ideas for next spring!) of my “skirts by measurements. I have had so much fun making and wearing these easy skirts! This latest one was made from a polyester jersey fabric, and is basically the opposite of this skirt that I made earlier. Since matching sets seem to be really “in” right now, I decided to make a coordinating top for it using New Look #6142, but below are the directions for making the skirt via measurements (however, if you feel more comfortable using a pattern, New Look 6287 would work). For this project I had a 3/4 yard piece of 60” wide fabric. If you want your skirt longer (or shorter), simply adjust the measurements I refer to as “deep” in the directions. 

You will also need a piece of 3/4” non-roll elastic for the waistband. 

I made this pattern using my hip measurement, since that was the widest part of my body involved. If your waist measurement is larger than your hip measurement, use that instead. 

I don’t give directions for finishing off the seams as I made this with a knit fabric, but it certainly could be made with a woven fabric if the seams were finished (use a serger or your favorite method). 

I first cut a piece that was 14” deep by 4” longer than my hip measurement. This is the top piece of the skirt. The ruffle is 6” deep by 24” bigger than the top piece (meaning 28” bigger than my hip measurement). I needed two pieces sewn together to make the ruffle. 

Directions

1. With the right sides together, sew each piece separately up the short seam to make into two tubular pieces of fabric (one [the skirt] will be 14” tall, the other [the ruffle] 6”). 

2. Put a hem in the 6” circle (I used a double needle). 

3. Run two rows of basting stitches around the non-hemmed side of the 6” circle. 

4. Pull the basting stitches to bring the ruffle down to the same width as the skirt piece. With right sides together, pin into place and sew on to attach. Pull out basting stitches. 

5. At the unfinished edge of the 14” piece (top of the skirt), put in a 1” casing, leaving an opening (I just folded it over once, about 1 1/4” since my fabric was knit and wouldn’t unravel). 

6. Cut the elastic to the measurement you are comfortable in, and use a pin to thread it through the casing. Sew the ends together to close the circle. 

7. Sew the opening shut to enclose the elastic, and the skirt is done! 

If you want a longer skirt, an example would be to cut the first piece 16” deep by 4” larger than your hip measurement. Do the opposite to make it shorter (ie.: 12” deep by 4” wider than your hip measurement). 

If you want the bottom ruffle longer, simply cut it 7”, 8”, etc. deep instead of the 6” listed above.