- 1). Lay out a piece of patterning paper, muslin or scrap fabric large enough to fit your skirt pattern on, about 35 inches by 24 inches or longer, depending on your measurements and desired skirt length.
- 2). Write down your waist measurement. Measure just below the ribs. Divide that number by 2 and add 3. For instance, a 30-inch waist gives you an 18-inch measurement. Draw a line across your pattern paper measuring this length. This is your skirt's waistline.
- 3). Measure the length on a skirt you already own. Choose one with a length you like. Add 1 inch to that number. Measure that length down from the center of the waistline on your pattern. Mark that length for your hemline.
- 4). Add 22 to your waistline measurement. A 30-inch waist adds up to 40. This is your hemline's width. Draw a 40-inch line along the mark you made for the skirt's length.
- 5). Draw a line on either side of the skirt drawing, connecting the hem to the waistline. Cut out your pattern.
- 6). Wash your skirt fabric and iron it flat, print-side down, with the grain, or warp threads, running vertically. Fold the fabric in half so the fold sits on the left-hand side and the two cut sides sit on the right.
- 7). Lay your pattern out on the folded fabric on a bias, or a 45-degree angle. Pin the pattern to both fabric layers. Cut the fabric. Unpin the pattern, but keep the fabric pieces pinned.
- 8). Sew the skirt's side-seams together, stitching at 3/8 inch from either edge. Try on your skirt to check the waist width. Cut 1/2 inch off the waistline at a time if you need extra room.
- 9). Sew on an elastic waistband, stretching it slightly as you go. Sew it around the entire waistline, hiding the fabric edge.
- 10
Turn your skirt inside out and press the side seams and waistband. - 11
Hem your skirt slowly. Fold the edge over twice and stitch along the hem. Press the finished hem.
next post