How to Sew Skirts

Choose fabric. Flared skirts tend to float, so choose fabrics that aren’t too heavy or too stiff (we recommend lightweight fabrics like lace/chiffon). The skirt will be made from an elastic band, choose an elastic with a satisfactory width and color. Chun with a width of about 7.5 cm is reasonable.

Take measurements. Use a soft tape measure to measure your hips, usually at the widest part of your hips. This is a flared skirt, so you will need to calculate a bit to find the right measurement. To find your dress’s waist circumference, add 5 cm from your hip measurement. Then divide the result by 6.28; The answer is the waist circumference of the dress.

• For example, if your hips measure 76 cm, add 5 cm and divide by 6.28 (81/6.28). As a result you will have a waist radius of about 13 cm.
• Measure the length of the elastic by adding 3 cm as a hem to the hip measurement. If your hips are 76 cm, your elastic band will be 79-80 cm long.
• Measure the length of the skirt with a tape measure, from the waist to the desired length. Add 3 cm to sew the hem.

Cut out the paper pattern. You only need a piece of paper just the right size to cut ¼ of the dress. Take a tape measure and poke the tip of a pencil into the hole of the tape measure. Mark the waist circumference measurement of the dress on a tape measure and place that point at the bottom left corner of the piece of paper. While holding the tape measure with your left hand, use the pencil plugged into the tip of the ruler to draw a curved line from edge to edge with your right hand. You will have ¼ circle with the right corner as the center.

Measure the skirt length to cut the paper pattern. Please choose your desired skirt length. Use a tape measure to mark the length from the waistline on the paper form above. Draw a curved line from edge to edge, starting at the point you just marked. You will have an arc on the paper template.

Cut paper and fabric patterns. Cut the paper pattern in two curved lines, forming a strip of arcs. Fold the fabric in quarters. Place the paper pattern on top of the fabric for a snug fit and cut the fabric according to the paper pattern. When you unfold the fabric, you will have a large circle that resembles a donut shape.

It’s the waist of the skirt. To complete the waist of the skirt, you need to iron and lace up the edge of the fabric. This way, the edge of the fabric will not be torn during use and washing. Fold the edge of the fabric about 0.5 cm and iron it flat with an iron. Use an overlock machine if available, or use a zig zag stitch to wring out the edges of the fabric.

May chun. The elastic will be slightly shorter than the waist circumference to give enough stretch when you wear the skirt. Therefore, the two elastic ends must be sewn together before being sewn into the skirt. Fold the elastic in half, sew a straight line to connect the two ends of the elastic with a distance of 1cm each. Then, separate the remaining two ends of the elastic and sew them onto the elastic itself. That way, excess elastic will not be exposed when you wear a skirt.

Tape to the skirt. The skirt will shrunk slightly at the waist because the waist circumference of the skirt is slightly wider than the waist circumference. Place the elastic close to the waistline, attach the skirt evenly around the elastic waistband. Use as much or as little brooch as you like, as long as the skirt is draped evenly around the waist.

Perfect skirt waistband. Once the elastic has been attached to the skirt, sew the waistband to the elastic band on the outside of the dress. When sewing, pull out the elastic so that the elastic and fabric are sewn seamlessly. You can use a straight stitch or a zig zag in this step.

Sew the skirt edge. Fold the hem to about 1cm and iron it flat. Fold one more time and use a straight stitch or zig zag to sew the hem for the skirt. ^[2]

Choose fabric. Maxi skirts are usually long and need a thick fabric to stay in shape. Look for fabric that’s thicker, isn’t transparent, and is heavy enough to prevent the skirt from pulling. You will need a wide elastic band to make the waistband with the right color.

• Choose a fabric that is wide enough to be able to cut a piece. This tutorial is for one fabric long enough to make a maxi dress, rather than multiple pieces of fabric stitched together.

Take measurements. Two important measurements for sewing a maxi skirt are the waist and the length of the skirt. Use a tape measure to measure the widest part of your hips. Then, measure from waist to ankle (or to whatever length you find comfortable). This measurement will range from 100 cm to 180 cm, depending on your height.

• Measure the length of the elastic by subtracting 3 cm from your hip measurement. Chun will be tight enough that it won’t slip down or become unsightly loose.
• Add 3 cm to the length and width of the fabric to sew the hem.

Cut fabric. Cut a large rectangle as wide as your hip measurements and to your desired length. Cut out and fold in half lengthwise.

Sew a line lengthwise. Fold the edge of the fabric to about 1 cm length and iron it flat. Using a zig zag stitch, sew a line along the length of the skirt to form a long tube.

Sew skirt waistband. Turn the fabric tube just made to the left side to open the skirt waistline. If you have an overlock machine, use it so the yarn won’t bleed. If not, you can also use a zig zag stitch.

May chun. Take the cut elastic band and fold it in half, overlapping the two ends. Use a straight stitch to sew a line 0.5 cm from the end of the elastic. Turn the elastic ring out and separate the two ends to the sides. Sew them back to the elastic with a zig zag stitch. Thus, the elastic waistband will look flatter and more beautiful.

Sew on the skirt. Place the waistband inside the elastic band and pin it in place. There will be more fabric than the circumference of the elastic, so pin your sleeves evenly to give the skirt a slight ruffle.

Sew a loop around the elastic waistband. Use a straight stitch to sew a line around the elastic 0.5 cm from the bottom edge of the elastic. Wherever you go, remove the pin there. Try to sew straight so that the waistband is beautiful.