Gathered Skirt Tutorial

Gathered Skirt Tutorial

My sister wanted some skirts to wear to church as most of the ones she had were too short and she wanted some that were midi length.  I decided to whip up a few, quick gathered skirts for her using some materials I had laying around at home.  The great thing about gathered skirts is that they look great in any length - short, midi or maxi.

What you will need:

• 1m of fabric
• zipper
• sewing machine
• matching thread
• iron
• scissors 

1. Measure your waist and the length you want your skirt to be. Measure your skirt from your waistline down.  My sister's waistline is 27 inches and she wanted the skirt to sit just below my knees.  This was 24 inches from my waistline.  Cut 2 rectangles with each rectangle L = 28” and W = 25” (hem allowance and the top of the skirt).  
   
   
   
2. Cut out the pieces for the waistband.  You will need to cut two pieces with a length that measures waist + seam allowance and the width you desire (you can have it as thin or thick as you want.)  I decided to have a width of 2 inches so I cut a width of 2.5 inches including seam allowance.  So my two rectangles were L = 28" and W = 2.5".
   
   
   
3. Let's start with the waistband.  With right sides together, stitch along ONE of the lengths of the waistband. Then press the seam well.  Put the waistband aside. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   (*Note - I used a light coloured thread so it would show up)
   
   
4. Now for the skirt.  With right sides together, sew only one of the sides together so you end up with one long rectangle. Press. 
   
   
   
5. At 0.5 inch down from the top, sew a long baste stitch all the way across the top.  Leave a generous amount of thread at both ends and ensure you do not backstitch either ends.
   
   
   
6. Slowly pull the bobbin thread.  
   
7. Pull from both ends until the width of the skirt matches the width of the waistband.  Tie a knot on both ends.
   
8. Mark the middle of your waistband.
   
   
   
9. With the right side of the skirt facing  up towards you, pin the waistband, with the wrong side facing you just under the long baste stitch.  
   
   
   
   
10. Sew along the waistband, ensuring the waistband stitch is under the baste stitch.
    
11. Fold the waistband over and sew a neat stitch along the top and bottom of the waistband.
12. Insert zipper.
13. Hem the bottom and DONE!