Double Layer Skirt Tutorial

We are all very excited for an upcoming Disney cruise. Waiting can be very tough, so I really like doing projects for our trip to help the time pass by. It also makes the cruise even more fun.

Gizmo had a Minnie Mouse shirt that I had previously purchased for her. She has outgrown it, and so it was passed on to Princess. While I think it is a too long, she loves it, and refuses to let me take a couple inches off the bottom. With the picture on it, I am not sure how well that would work anyway. To go with her shirt, I decided to make a cute matching skirt.

To make the skirt, first get some measurements from the child it is for. The first measurement will be around their waist, and the second measurement is how long you want the finished skirt to be.

To the waist measurement, double the amount. This is the width of both of the fabric rectangles you will be cutting out.

To the length measurement, add 1.5 inches. This is the length of the underlying fabric, which I will call Fabric B.

Next, take Fabric B's length measurement and subtract 2. Now you have the length measurement for Fabric A.

                  Example:
                  Measurements:
                  23 inch waist measurement
                  12.5 inch length desired

                  23 x 2 = 46

                  12.5 + 1.5 = 14

                   14 - 2 = 12

                   Rectangle of Fabric A will measure 12 by 46 inches.
                   Rectangle of Fabric B will measure 14 by 46 inches.

All seam allowances are 1/2 inch.

Cut out your fabric pieces with the measurements you just made.

Fold the pieces in half, matching the short ends, with wrong sides facing out. Sew along that edge. I chose to trim that edge afterward with pinking shears.

 Choose which open end will be the bottom of the skirt. This only matters if your fabric has a directional print. Fold up the bottom edge 1/2 inch, pressing as you fold. Repeat and fold up another 1/2 inch, pressing once again. Repeat this on both fabric pieces. This will give you a nice finished edge along the bottom of the skirt. Sew around both hems.

Arrange the skirt pieces with the underskirt inside, and the wrong sides of the fabric facing out. Pin along the top edge, and then sew the skirts together.

Turn the skirts to the correct sides out and press.

Measure along the top of the skirt and mark 1 1/4 inches down. Chalk is helpful for making the marks, and will wash off easily.

Sew along that marked line, stopping a few inches before you reach the point where you started. This creates an elastic casing.

Cut elastic to child's waist measurement, and thread into the casing. This is easiest using a safety pin attached to one end, pushing it along through the casing. Just make sure to watch the end of the elastic and don't let it slip into the casing. You will need both ends hanging out of that gap you left unsewn. Make sure that your elastic has not twisted anywhere. It is much easier to check now, then to find out later....

Holding both ends of the elastic, pull them out enough to hold them together under the sewing machine foot. Zig-zag stitch several times back and forth to attach them.

 Holding the skirt up, give the waist band a few stretches. The elastic ends should pop up into the casing. Sew up the gap in the casing. 

Enjoy giving a sweet kiddo in your life a new skirt made just for them.