How to Make a Quilt Skirt

Make a quilted skirt to suit your fashion sense.

Quilted skirts never seem to go out of fashion. Made in various colors and designs, they can be formal or whimsical. A simple square patch is easy to sew and put together, so this is an appropriate project for a beginning seamstress. Selecting fabric for the patches should be an easy task because both gently used fabric and new fabric in coordinating or rainbow colors work well.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Fabric
• Ruler
• Rotary cutter and board
• Scissors
• Sewing machine
• Elastic

Instructions

1. Measure around the waist and add four to six inches for a gathered look. Measure the length of the skirt. For a flair skirt, add six to eight inches to the waist measurement for the bottom width. On average, you should have five to six rows of squares to the length, depending where the hem falls. A general rule is 4-inch squares for a child's skirt and 6-inch squares for an adult skirt.

2. Cut out all the squares. When measuring the squares, allow an extra one-half inch for the seams.

3. Place the squares into rows and begin sewing them into a long chain using a straight stitch. If you have a serge machine, that will work even better. For each consecutive chain, count how many squares went into the first row, and multiply that number by 1.5 for every layer added. Sew the chain together at the ends to form a loop of quilt squares.

4. Sew the loops together by gathering the top portion of each layer to match the bottom portion of the previous layer. This creates the swirling flair. The circle of the skirt gets bigger as you add each layer.

5. Create the waistband by turning down the top edge of the skirt one inch and straight-stitch sewing the hem. Leave a gap of about two inches in the waist to insert the elastic.

6. Measure the elastic needed to fit around the waist comfortably. For more accurate comfort, try wrapping elastic around the waist of the person who will wear the skirt. Add an inch for the seam allowance and later adjustments.

7. Attach a large safety pin to one end of the elastic, and thread the safety pin through the casing around the skirt top. Stitch the elastic ends together and finish the hem. Adjust the fabric so it gathers evenly around the elastic.

8. Fold up the bottom edge of the skirt one-fourth to one-half inch and pin it. Press the seam with an iron. Put the skirt on to check that the hem is in the right place. Sew it with a top straight-stitch setting on the sewing machine.

Tips & Warnings

• Various kinds of quilt patterns can be used for this skirt depending on your skill level. A patch quilt is easiest for most beginners.

• When estimating how many squares are needed, make a pattern out of newspaper using the measurements from Step 1. Lay out squares on the pattern for easier measuring and pattern adjustment.

References

• Sew Me a Garden: 100 Dreams - Patchwork Twirly Dress - by Monique Daley 2011
• Love To Sew: Designing, Sewing, & Making Skirts
• Our Dolls: Clara's Crazy Quilt Skirt