Make this gathered tiered skirt – a beginner sewing project to wear
Hey y’all, today I’m going to show you how I made this ruffled skirt. I’m loving tiered skirts lately, and they’re a nice glo up from the shorts I usually hang around the house in. This is a project that is a step up from a basic beginner sewing project, but still achievable.
What makes this skirt extra special is that I used a bordered fabric to make the lower ruffle. I bought this fabric on an impulse because the embroidered border was so pretty, then it sat in my stash for two-ish years while I tried to decide what to make with it. I feel kind of silly that it took me this long to realize it was perfect for a ruffled skirt.
How to Sew a Ruffled Skirt
To sew your own version of this skirt, you’ll need:
- A measuring tape or ruler
- Fabric – depending on how gathered and how long you want your skirt to be and what size you are, you could use anywhere from 1 1/2 to 4 yards or more. Check out this post to see how to calculate your yardage.
- Elastic. You’ll want enough elastic to go around your waist, or where ever on your body you want the skirt to sit. I prefer at least 1 inch wide elastic, but you can go wider or narrower than that. Just be aware that if you go narrower you shouldn’t use heavy fabric or make the skirt very long, as the weight of the fabric could drag narrower elastic off your waist. For more about types of elastic, see this post.
- Your sewing machine and thread.
- Optional – a bodkin (affiliate link) to feed your elastic. If you don’t have a bodkin you’ll need a safety pin.
Then watch the video below or on YouTube here to see what to measure, how to draft your pattern, and how to sew it together.
For more help with sewing ruffles, check out this post. If you need methods to finish your seams, see this post.
Leave a Reply