How to Sew a Skirt With Lining & a Waistband

This flirty skirt can be made for girls of all ages.

Making your own skirt can be rewarding for a novice sewer; you have the satisfaction of making something homemade plus you get a cute skirt with a custom fit. Sew a cotton gathered skirt with a waistband and a lining for a comfortable addition to your wardrobe. The lining will give you a nice and neat hem plus help keep thin or sheer fabric from being see-through. Once you get the hang of it, you can whip out these skirts in about 30 minutes.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Pencil
• Paper
• Scissors
• 1-yard exterior skirt fabric
• 1-yard lining fabric
• 1-inch wide elastic
• Pins
• Thread
• Sewing machine
• Iron
• Safety pin

Instructions

1. Measure your waist and write down the measurement. Determine the length of skirt you would like and write it down. You may want to measure a skirt you already own for the length. By using an existing skirt, you will have an idea of how the skirt will look on your body and if it is a good length for your height.

2. Multiply your waist measurement by four. Write this number down, this is your adjusted waist measurement. Add 2-inches to the skirt’s length and write the number down, it will be your adjusted length measurement.

3. Cut a rectangular piece of lining fabric that is as wide as the adjusted waist measurement and is as tall as the adjusted length measurement.

4. Cut a rectangular piece of skirt fabric that is as wide as the adjusted waist measurement and is as tall as the adjusted length measurement.

5. Measure out a piece of elastic that is the measurement of your waist minus 1-inch. Cut the piece of elastic and set it aside.

6. Place the skirt fabric right side up on your work surface. Place the lining fabric on top of the skirt fabric, right side down. Line the edges up accurately and pin the fabric on all four sides.

7. Stitch the rectangles together on the two long sides of the rectangle and one short side using a straight stitch. Leave one side open. Use a 1/4-inch seam allowance.

8. Turn the skirt right side out by pulling the skirt through the open side. Press the seams flat with the iron.

9. Place the skirt lining side down on the work surface. Fold the skirt to line up the short sides. Pin them together to form a seam. Stitch down the side with a straight stitch. Use a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Trim the excess fabric. Leave the skirt lining side out.

10. Fold the top of the skirt down 1/4-inch and press with the iron. Fold the top of the skirt down 1-inch. Press again with the iron. Place a couple pins around the fold to secure.

11. Stitch close to the open edge with a straight stitch. This will form a 1-inch channel for the elastic. Do not stitch the whole way, leave a 1 to 1 1/2-inch opening for the elastic.

12. Pin a safety pin to the end of the piece of elastic. Slide the pinned end into the opening of the skirt waistband. Thread the elastic through the channel. Pull it out the opening once it has gone all of the way around the waistband channel. Remove the safety pin. Overlap the two ends of the elastic by one inch. Use a straight stitch to stitch the elastic together over the overlapping section.

13. Stitch the opening you left on the skirt for the elastic closed. Spread the fabric gathers around the waistband evenly.

14. Top stitch the bottom of the skirt 1-inch from the bottom of the skirt to neaten up the hem. Press the skirt when you are done.