I have been seriously swooning over all things floral lately. When I saw this amazing poly charmeuse while exploring the warehouse wonderland at Michael Levine, I immediately thought of Rachel's skirt from this post. I have had a floral midi on my to sew list for a while, so I snatched this fabric right up. I created a quick tool skirt to slip on underneath to give it a little extra volume as well. It was perfect to wear at the last night at Alt Summit for the mini parties (more from my Alt experience to come!)
Shop my look below:
Click below for the full tutorial...
Materials:
2 yards of floral fabric (I used this gorgeous stretch poly charmeuse)
matching thread
invisible zipper
large hook and eye
small strip of interfacing
Step 1:
Cut 2
rectangles for your skirt sections.Measure your natural waist, divide it by 2, and then multiply that
number by 3 to get the width (add 1” to allow for ½” seam allowance per
side).Then determine how long you
want the skirt to be and add 2” for seam allowance (1/2” for the top, 1 ½” for
the hem).My skirt pieces measured
42”Wx 29”L.
Step 2:
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Place a pin in the center of the top width, and create 3
knife pleats on either side of the center that each point toward the center
pin.I wasn’t super exact, but
tried to eyeball each pleat to be about the same width.You will want the width to measure half
of your waist measurement plus 1” s.a .when the pleats are complete.Make sure to leave ½” per side for the
s.a.Repeat with back skirt
section.Carefully press the
pleats into place and do a quick basting stitch ¼” from the top to secure the
pleats.(this last part isn’t
crucial but it makes things a lot easier when attaching the waistband)
Tip: It helps to have a measurement tape laid above as you
create the pleats to give you a reference as to how thick to make the pleats in
order to get the correct total width.(see above photo)
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Step 3.Cut your
waistband to be 3” long and the width of your natural waist plus 2” for s.a. (and
because it will overlap to close).I cut mine a few inches longer and then ended trimming it a bit.Then cut a 1” strip of interfacing that
is the length of your waist measurement.
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Step 4.Fold the
width of the waistband under about ½”, press, and then apply the interfacing directly
about the fold (see photo).Fold
the other side over ½’ inch and press.Fold the top and bottom ends under ½” as well.Then fold in half length-wise and press.All of your seam allowances should now
be hidden inside the fold.
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Step 5.Place the
front and back skirt sections right-side together and stitch up all the way on
one side with ½” s.a.Insert your
invisible zipper on the other side (match the selvage at the top of the zipper
with the top of the fabric).
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Step 6.Stitch up
one short side of the waistband, and sandwich the top of the skirt in between
the waistband so that about ½” of the top of the skirt is covered (make sure
that the basting stitches are up inside of the waistband).Line up the stitched side with one of
the open zipper sides.Pin all the
way around and stitch as close to the bottom edge of the waistband as you
can.You will have an extra inch
or so on the waistband.Fold the
edge under and hand stitch a large hook and eye for the closure (see close-up
shot above)
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Step 7.Serge or zigzag
stitch all along the bottom to finish off the raw edges, and press under 1 ½”
for the hem.Blind stitch the
hem.
