I want to make a skirt, help? :)

[KyMama]

Most of the skirts I wear are the long, tiered skirts and I really like them.  I have a pattern for various versions of them and I will probably use it later, but I would really like to have a grown-up version of this....

Can I use my measurements and get the same result?  I copied the instructions from ominomi.wordpress.com/tag/easy-prairie-skirt-tutorial/ so that y'all don't have to follow a link unless you want to.  

Step 1: Measure child’s waist.

Step 2: Measure from waist down to where you’d like the skirt to fall (I measured from waist to mid-calf).

Step 3: Cut length of fabric 2x child’s waist by desired skirt length (add an additional 1.5 inches to the length for elastic waist casing). If you want a fuller skirt, cut the fabric 2.5x the child’s waist.

Step 4: Cut out ruffle for skirt. I did 3″ by 1.5x the width of the skirt. If you want a fuller ruffle, do 2-3x.

Step 5: Gather ruffle onto skirt and sew. I use the pinning method for ruffles (steps 5 and 6 at this link)

Step 6: Top stitch the ruffle.

Step 7: Sew side seam of skirt.

Step 8: Iron down casing for elastic for waist (I turn down 1/2″, then turn down another 1″ so no raw edges show).

Step 9: Sew down casing leaving 1″ un-sewn (this is where you’ll put in the elastic).

Step 10: Cut strip of 3/4″ elastic the width of child’s waist.

Step 11: Hook a safety pin to one end of the elastic and feed through the casing you’ve just sewn on the skirt, making sure to leave a bit of elastic out on each end.

Step 12: Once elastic is fed through the casing, sew the ends of the elastic together.

Step 13: Feed the sewn bit of elastic into the casing and sew the casing shut.

Step 14: Finish hem of skirt. I roll the edges with a contrasting thread on the serger as it’s much quicker than hemming. If you don’t have a serger, iron down a hem and sew it down (you’ll need to make the skirt longer if you make a hem this way).

Step 15: Trim off any hanging threads and you’re done!


Or if you have better instructions or a pattern link please share them.  Thank you!

[mollymckee]

I don't know why it wouldn't. If you are using heavier weight fabric I would not make it too full, stay with the smaller amounts of fabric.

[KyMama]

Thank you! I thought it should work, but it's been awhile since I made any clothing and I didn't want to mess up and waste my fabric.

[Maura]

For an adult, the proportions might not work. I’d have the first tier from waist to just above the fullest part of tush. Gather a second tier and have that fall to above the knee, and the third tier gathered and fall midcalf. You have to be able to walk/run, and if the bottom of the skirt is full enough to run in, the top of the skirt is going to be very full.

[KyMama]

It didn't work out like I hoped it would. I had time so I made another skirt using the pattern for "D" and I really like it.  Up next is "A", luckily I bought extra fabric.  

[Maura]

I think those are much better patterns than the child’s pattern.

[KyMama]

Definitely better, other than trying to decide what size I needed. I hate pattern sizes...always depressing because I need a larger size than normal.

[claytonpiano]

May 19, 2015 18:24:42 GMT KyMama said:

Definitely better, other than trying to decide what size I needed. I hate pattern sizes...always depressing because I need a larger size than normal.

That whole size thing is just not fair, is it??? Love that Simplicity pattern. I'm going to try to find it.

[KyMama]

I tried to make the pattern awhile back, but I need to go up at least one more size for it to fit comfortably.   It's a very easy pattern though.  This picture is a pattern that I've had pinned for at least a year.  I started it this morning and I'm almost finished.   It is very full.

(Please ignore my unmade bed.  lol)