penelope's twirly skirt

 

you will need:

3 different fabrics

3/4" elastic (you can use 1/2" instead)

thread

measuring tape

step 1: measure waist and the length that you would like the skirt to be (i think it looks best at the knee or a little longer.)

penelope's waist was 19" and i wanted to make the skirt 10" long

 

step 2: select your 3 fabrics and cut them accordingly:

fabric 1: (1 & a 1/2 of waist measurement) X (1/3 of length measurement + 1 3/4")

i cut penelope's 28 1/2" X a smidge over 5"

fabric 2: (2 X waist measurement) X (1/3 of length + 1")

i made penelope's 38" X 4 1/3"

fabric 3: (2 1/2 X waist measurement) X (1/3 of length measurement + 1 1/4")

i made penelope's 47 1/2" X a smidge over 4 1/2"

step 3: take all of your fabric pieces and fold them in half with right sides together and sew raw edges with 1/2" inseam. finish edge with zig-zag stitch or pinking sheers and iron seam open.

step 4: make elastic casing.

take fabric piece #1 and fold down 1/4" and iron, then fold down 1" and iron. top stitch 1/8" from the bottom of the fold leaving open 1" to thread elastic through. 

step 5: basting stitch along the top of fabric piece #2 and #3.

step 6: make hem.
fold the bottom of fabric piece #3 up 1/4" and iron and then fold it up 1/2" and iron. top stitch 1/8" from the fold.
 

now you have the elastic casing, hem and you are ready to gather.

step 7: gather fabric 2 by pulling one side of your basting stitch. pin it in place at the bottom of piece #1 with right sides together. make sure that your gathers are evenly spaced.

 

 step 8: sew along gathered edge with a 1/2" inseam. finish raw edges with pinking sheers or a zig-zag stitch.

step 9: repeat steps 7 & 8 working with fabric piece #3 and sewing it to piece #2

step 10: cut elastic 1" shorter than waist measurement and use a safety pin to thread the elastic through the hole we left open on the elastic casing, thread it around the elastic casing and out the same hole. sew the ends of your elastic together and then sew shut the opening (you may want to wait on sewing it shut until after you've tested it on your model. )

 

clip all your loose threads and you are done. with isla's wee skirt i only made 2 layers.

p.s. i am NOT a seamstress. soooo i am just trying to share something i think turned out cute with you. don't pay too close attention to my terminology and what not.

happy making.